There is no going around the fact that building a house is quite pricey. It tends to be the largest investment one makes in life. Then again, there are many cost-effective tactics one can employ. They allow us to trim the spending without jeopardizing the whole project. There is no need to blow the budget buying from expensive showrooms. But, when going down this road, there are some additional responsibilities in the area of planning and due diligence. All these efforts pay off in the execution stage and especially when the work comes to an end. Here is an essential guide on how to make it happen.

Get your ducks in the row

You probably want your new home to be exactly what you envisioned. That is why you need to know which areas you can afford to skimp and where not to. To set the wheels into motion, come up with a sound budget. Identify opportunities to reduce material, labour, construction and operating costs. Right off the bat, figure out who you will need to hire. Doing everything yourself is hardly an option. However, actively participating in the building process can decrease labour costs and give you more oversight. Involve friends and family members in case they are willing to help and possess some know-how.

In any event, you will likely need services of designers, engineers, contractors, plumbers, electricians, architects, etc.  Here, note that clear and open communication is paramount to fruitful collaboration. For a peace of mind, do your homework to research contractors, their crew and subcontractors. Get familiar with main construction methods to optimize accordingly. Pay close attention to strategic material sourcing, construction techniques, installation, energy efficiency, material limitations and other frugal measures. Decide what really matters to you and what non-negotiables are.

Pieces of the frugal puzzle

Try to creatively source all materials and products. Be prepared to balance different priorities such as affordability, aesthetics and structural capacities. One of the most important things is to understand the cost grades of materials and trade-offs associated with the lower end of the price spectrum. Never sacrifice durability and longevity completely, as that could come to haunt you later. Save money by playing it smart: take advantage of standard construction dimensions and modules to minimize material waste. Consider versatile and affordable options such as prefabricated wood truss and joists.

Bear in mind that the floor plan and layout are crucial aspects of home construction. You have to get them absolutely right. Thus, take your time to work out the room dimensions and the total size of the house for a detailed floor plan. It is highly advisable to invest in a precise laser level to obtain the most accurate measurements, even when dealing with unusually shaped rooms, landings, alcoves and hallways. An additional benefit is that it works both with metric and imperial units. You can include a garage as a separate measurement. In case your attic is a habitable space, include it as well.

Finally, there are some new trends and industry standards that can work to your advantage. Check out, for instance, advanced framing techniques. They facilitate faster and cheaper construction and lead to higher energy-efficiency. This is due to the fact that there is less timber overall and fewer pieces to install. Moreover, more space for insulation and decreased thermal bridge save money on utility bills in the future. This brings us to the point: always build with energy efficiency in mind. Insulate everything properly and have an airtight envelope. It will pay off in years to come.

The best of both worlds

Well-conceived, affordable home design requires a whole lot of planning and organization. So, be mindful of how the home will get built. Make certain you use suitable materials and in an efficient manner. Make a list of everything you need and get creative a bit. Do not hesitate to get your hands dirty, but also rely on professionals. See to it that everyone is on the same page and aware of the overall goals and priorities. Take your chance to infuse the building with higher energy-efficiency to build a frugal lifestyle. Just be careful not to undermine the quality of work and materials. Measure twice and cut once.