Invest in the Foundations When Self-Building

Building your own home is probably the most critical project in your life. That’s why a lot of people planning to create their own homes diligently do their research. No one wants to discover a flaw in their plans while the construction is going on, so it is imperative that people adequately research what kind of home they want. SIP panel homes, for example, are well-insulated houses and are so quick and easy to build that more and more people are choosing to self-build their homes using this method.

There are lots of things self-builders have to remember when building their own homes. But the biggest thing they have to worry about is the skeleton of the whole structure. The building, after all, won’t be able to stand very long if the foundations are weak. No one would want to live in a house that, after only five years, shows the signs of having a weak foundation.

Here’s why paying attention to the foundation is essential:

1. Weak foundations are dangerous

Of course, the apparent problem with weak foundations is that the structure might collapse at any given moment. This is very dangerous, especially for two-storey structures, structures that are standing on slopes, and structures in places that frequently experience seismic activity. Foundations weaken over time, and a foundation that isn’t correctly made will have a shorter lifespan.

2. Repairing weak foundations is costlier than building a house

One of the biggest problems when fixing the foundations is that they’ll need to remove everything that was built on top of them and around them: the walls, the second floor, or the roof. And then, after you have repaired them, you have to put it back together again. This might not be a problem for builders who opted to have their houses pre-constructed. But those who didn’t will have to dismantle a good part of their home. The owner will also have to find another place for accommodation while the construction is going on, causing the cost to eventually pile up, to the point that it can be even more expensive than erecting the house itself.

3. Repairing weak foundations is troublesome

As mentioned earlier, people who have to fix the foundations of their home have to move out of their home. This can be disruptive to not only the life of those who reside in the house but to those whose business is done inside the house.

But imagine, instead of just a home, the structure is also a cafe or a small inn. Business will have to stop, and the owner will stop gaining profits for a while until the house or building is renovated. If the owner has employees, he or she might also have to let them go because they cannot pay their salaries.

Such a troublesome and costly mess can be avoided if owners focus on having a foundation that can last for years, maybe even centuries. It might look like it’s too expensive right now, but it’s a better option and will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

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