By Tinashe Chimuzu
For most people in Malawi and even the world over, owning a house is the single biggest investment made during one’s lifetime. A house may represent security, stability, status, or simply achievement. Whatever the reason for buying, building, or renovating, there are some general guidelines that need to be carefully considered in order to come up with the best possible results.
Firstly, make sure to use professional help so that you get your design right from the start, and you don’t have to go back to the drawing board every now and again. The designer will help you to define, refine, and put on paper your dreams towards your home; it is the one major investment you can make that is well worth every penny you spend. This professional involvement should not end once you get your set of drawings but should continue even in supervising your construction works to ensure that nothing is amiss and the designs are being adhered to by the builders. The more thought and time you put into your home design, the better the results. For those that may be buying a home, you can use a professional to help you inspect the home you are considering buying and also to advise on any necessary renovations that may be required. This can also help you avoid any construction accidents as well as add to the beauty and value of your home.
Now, having someone draw up a design for you does not mean you should be totally clueless about what they are doing; take an initiative to find out the basic principles of home design, like room arrangement, sizes, etc. You can do this by reading home magazines, checking online literature, and even visiting other people’s homes, just to get a picture of what you should expect from your designer. Make sure you are involved in the design process by dialoguing with your designer and explaining your dreams about your home. You need to have an idea of the kind of design that you are looking for and make sure to articulate this in the best way possible. Take pictures of your inspirations if possible, make sketches, etc., keeping in mind that you are the one who is going to live in it and not the designer.
With regard to the above, keep in mind that “big” does not necessarily mean “better” when it comes to home design. As much as you may want to make a personal statement, you need to evaluate if it is really necessary in the long run. Consider your needs when you are contemplating the size of your home, because it may end up being a liability. These needs may be your age, the size of your family, etc. There’s no need to spend money on spaces that you probably will use only once a year. Also keep in mind that as much as you may be building your home for yourself, there is always the possibility that you may have to rent it out some day, so the design needs to be somewhat user-friendly in certain aspects. For example, it may take you a while to find a tenant who will need a bathroom like the one in Ronaldinho’s home, as much as it may be a nice thing to have.
The other thing to remember is to calculate your costs before you get into the dirty work. These costs are not only financial but also time costs. Knowing your costs can also help you to decide whether to buy or build. This may seem like an obvious thing to do, but it is not always so straightforward for everyone. Building cost calculating services are offered by those who are in the quantity surveying profession. Though it may seem like an unnecessary expenditure, it will save you money and give you an exact picture of the costs that you may incur and therefore help you to prepare accordingly.
Take your time in shopping around for a contractor/builder, keeping in mind that many beautiful designs have been messed up by poor workmanship of builders and contractors. Do not rely merely on their word; in this business, word of mouth may not always be the best way to go; the work of their hands will speak much better volumes. Go around and take note of the well-constructed homes; ask the homeowners who their contractor was. Most people are more than willing to share that kind of information. Of course you need to take note that most Malawian builders have the tendency of wanting to get some money before their work is done (kutapa). If you can, make sure to refrain from encouraging such practices, at least if you want considerable progress on your construction work. Make sure that there are no shortcuts in the construction works; this is where involving a professional to supervise your work comes in handy. Remember that you cannot build a poor foundation and expect a sound structure; it always comes back to haunt you, one way or the other, and it may someday result in the loss of a life.
Lastly, in all construction works, remember to adhere to the local laws and regulations in your area in order to safeguard your property; this also includes the processes required in land acquisition. You need to also remember to sign proper contracts with all parties involved in order to avoid legal wrangles later on.
In conclusion, building or buying a house does not have to be a complicated and stressful process. The most important thing is to do your homework, plan, and involve the right people.