Building a home may be expensive but you don't have to pay more than what is necessary. Here are some tips on how to keep things on a budget without compromising the aesthetics and quality of the home you're trying to build.

1. Consider buying a big lot with a family member or a friend and divide it into two. You may find yourself totally hooked up with a lot that is larger that what you really need or can afford. If the seller is not willing to break up the land into smaller parcels, find someone who would want to share the costs with you and of course, you would love having as your neighbor.   

2. Consider building on a non-standard site. Sloping, hill-side, or narrow lots are generally not as desirable as the usual types of building lots. Thus, they often come on much lower prices. With the right home design and a capable builder, a difficult lot might just be the perfect spot for your new home.    

3. Choose low-maintenance building materials – Materials like metal roofing and vinyl siding are usually more expensive at installation, however they can help you save more money in the long run since there's no need to repair, repaint or replace these materials regularly.

4. Invest only on things that you really cannot live without. Make sure that when you try to cut costs, you know which is important and which is not. Don’t skimp out on vital structural components of your home. When your family's safety and security are at risk, it is important to purchase the best materials your budget can afford.

5. Hire a reliable contractor. The type of home builder you hire will make the difference between a dream come true and a nightmare. Choose a builder that has enough experience with the type of construction you're having. And most all, choose someone who is willing to work within your budget and can still deliver quality results.  

If you're looking for a home building company which specializes in split level home designs in Adelaide, simply visit the Serenity Homes website by clicking on the following links: 

http://www.serenityhomes.com.au/

http://www.serenityhomes.com.au/split-level-homes-adelaide.html

Building your new home on a sloping block could present a number of challenges. But don't worry, with the right home builder, you could easily work around any possible issues. Read on to get some idea on how to build on a sloping area.

When choosing a house design, you have to consider the slope of the block that you will build on. Blocks can be in a sloping angle in various ways, it could either be sloping down or up from the street. Blocks that are sloping down towards the rear boundary of the street are easier to work with than the latter. Building on blocks that are sloping upward from the street usually involves retaining walls and more excavation, which would significantly augment your expenses. However, building on an angled block generally costs more as compared to a flat block location.

You can minimize the need for retaining walls and excavation by working with the block's unique slope and designing your home to work with that slope. Too much excavation usually presents additional problems. It could damage the drainage system, worsen erosion, and can make the block more unstable.

In order to lower the risks associated with a excavation, make sure that the builder makes use of sediment control methods to protect the integrity of the block. Take note that masonry homes are more suitable for flat blocks while lightweight or pole houses are more commonly used for sloping blocks, especially for steep slopes.  

If you are looking for a reliable home builder to help you with two storey house designs for sloping blocks, simply visit the Serenity Homes website by clicking on the following links: 

 http://www.serenityhomes.com.au/

http://www.serenityhomes.com.au/two-storey-house-designs.html