The skills
required
The next problem many fear is that their lack of knowledge
will either stop them, or make it likely that they will make too many
mistakes.
To own and drive a car, you don't need to be able
to manufacture the component parts, or even know what each is. Likewise
to build a home you don't have to understand all that every craftsman
does. What ideally you will know is what role each plays and in what
order they are to work on the site, this is easily found out. It helps
but is not essential to be able to understand plans, and be good at organizing
and buying. The person who does your drawings, or architect, if you use
one, will define what is involved in the construction and the building
regulations and other specific rules, lay out many of the standards that
craftsmen have to stick to.
If you use a project manager you don't need to do
anything much at all, as he will be doing as much as you want for you.
Your role is in working out what you want, and how it is laid out, the
final finish and any other special features you want to include.
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Making a difference
yourself
It is a common error to think that helping
out on site will make the project more profitable, it rarely does,
you just slow everyone down and time is money.
You can have the most impact by effective management
and buying, plus knowing what you are doing. Make as few changes
as possible while the house is being built.
Prices rarely jump up by a single cost, more
usually by a series of small ones, and poor budgetary control.
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