If there is one thing certain about being an owner-builder is that it is not easy. Many kit home projects have failed over the years in Australia due to variety of reasons. Some owner-builders fail to realize how difficult the process would be and they just leave their projects hanging. The tasks involved in building a home are considerably overwhelming, especially if you don’t have significant experience in homebuilding and project management.
So, what does it take to become a successful owner-builder in Australia? The answer is simple: skills and patience. If you are willing to devote hundreds of hours and if you have the patience to manage a group of tradesmen, you can complete kit home in six months. However, is it worth the try? Of course, it will be, especially if you want to be in full control of the construction and wish to save at least 20% in labour costs. There are at least major advantages of building kit homes, and these are:
You are the captain of the ship – Leaving the project to the hands of a general contractor or construction company has its benefits but owner-building as well. Arguably the most notable advantage you can get from leading the construction of your Victoria home is that it provides you a great sense of responsibility as you will be in complete control of the project. The only limitations you will have are your budget and your creativity. As long as you have the budget and imagination, your options will be almost limitless. You will be in control of people you will hire and work with. You will in control of the result of the construction because you will be the one to manage everything, from securing necessary documents and permits to choosing the materials and the people you will hire. Hence, when the project is done, you can confidently tell yourself that it was a product of your own sweat, imagination, and resources.
You can save a lot of money – The amount of money you can save from owner-building depends on the level of participation you will have throughout the project. If you wish act as its general contractor, you can save at least 20% in construction costs. However, if you want to save more, aside from managing the project and organizing the tradies, you can be extra handy and do some of the work yourself. Needless to say, the more work you do for the project, the more savings you will get because you don’t have to pay yourself for the labor you have contributed.
You become a wiser and more complete individual – Managing a significant project like kit homes construction will surely place you out of your comfort zone. Managing the whole project and organizing the tradesmen you hire will surely force you to step up your project management skills. Since owner-building is no easy feat as you will face many problems along the way, you will be able to practice and improve your project management skills. In the end, you will benefit from it because you will become a better project manager and organizer, which can be very beneficial on your part in case you do owner-building again in the future or when you do property investments.
While becoming an owner-builder is a complicated premise, the benefits you will get will surely outweigh the cons you will encounter along the way. If you are confident about your skills, don’t hesitate to start your own kit home project. You would also want to consult with more experienced owner-builder to have better understanding of the challenges ahead so you can prepare for them much better.
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