For people who have fallen in love with the architecture, the culture and the lifestyle of a destination abroad, the pull to move there and carve out a life abroad can be intense. And that can include the opportunity to design your dream home to match its stunning surroundings.
Whether you’re hoping to build an exquisite home in the mountains or a seafront villa somewhere sunny, it’s important to find out what the process might actually involve. The journey to building a home can be filled with challenges but these tips can help you prepare for the road ahead.
Find suitable land to fit a property style
Without doubt, one of the best parts of designing and building your dream home abroad is determining what type of property you want and the location of where you’re planning to settle. The two factors go hand-in-hand so it’s important to use a local expert or estate agent. Not only can they provide up-to-date advice about the area you’re interested in, they can show you the style of homes being built there, from villas or apartments to penthouses and townhouses. You can also look closely at the interiors of any listed properties for inspiration and ideas for furnishing and decorating your home once it has been built.
Local agents can be contacted in person or online if you want to inquire about available plots of land that are for sale in a specific part of a country abroad. Part of the process of buying land is deciding where you want to move to for your specific lifestyle and property requirements. Bear in mind that your home abroad is likely to have different criteria than if you were looking for somewhere to live in the UK, or your home country.
You’ll need to determine the type of land you need for your project, whether you’re buying a plot in a central neighbourhood or a larger expanse of land in a remote location. In addition to finding the land and negotiating a deal, you’ll also need to check that the land itself permits building projects. There may be a maximum build size on which you can build, which is put in place to prevent overcrowding of properties in a given area, so you’ll need to ensure you have planning permission and a building licence for the land you want to buy.
Understand the local laws
Every country is different and the laws surrounding property ownership will vary from location to location, particularly for people who are moving from another country. No matter how familiar you are with the destination you’re moving to, it’s wise to get the advice of an experienced solicitor who understands the local laws and can advise you on best practices. It’s essential to stay within the regulations of the country you’re moving to, so that you avoid issues arising in the future.
You may have to simply pay a small tax fee to the local council, but in most cases, the process is more complex. So, it is a worthwhile investment to seek legal advice from a professional. Make sure you’re choosing a legal firm who can speak your native language and has experience in your specific situation.
Overcome potential language barriers
When you take on a building project, you might have to be prepared for challenges and overcoming language barriers can be one issue along the way. Communication is central to the smooth-running planning, design and building stages of your project, so make sure you’re hiring professionals who can convey complex topics with you comfortably, and that you’re able to understand the language too.
In preparing for language barriers, you should also be aware that the vocabulary, expressions and accents can vary depending on where you’re building and whether you’re central or building in more remote areas of the country. Small misunderstandings can have big consequences on your build, so make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to communication.
Find a builder with positive reviews
You’ve found your ideal plot of land, the seller has accepted your offer and you’re ready to begin bringing your property plans to fruition. For this, you’ll need to hire an architect to have the plans drawn up and then hire a contractor to build the property. Don’t just hire the cheapest contractors you can find – this could easily wind up costing you more in the long-term when it comes to getting the property you initially wanted.
You want to find a team that fits with your budget, understands your goal for the property, and is going to communicate effectively with you throughout the building process, delivering on schedule. Look for reviews to find a team that has experience and provides a high standard of building work so you can ensure the property will be finished well on completion.
Keep tabs on your budget
Budget is crucial when undertaking a big construction project like a property build, and it can quickly run away from you if you’re not careful. To stay on top of your spending, insist that your contractor presents you with invoices regularly, and take the time to carefully review them so that you’re always aware of where your money is going.
Whatever your circumstances, it’s critical that you keep tabs on how the build is progressing. Be mindful of the whole project too, and factor in the cost of interior design, as well as the expense of landscaping and furnishing outdoor spaces.
You should compare your invoices with the itemised bill you received at the start of the project, so that nothing slips through unnoticed, and be on the lookout for large purchases that weren’t in your original plan. If these do appear, raise them immediately with the team so they can be addressed, as the more time that passes, the harder it can be to adjust your budget to accommodate them.
Building a home, designing the interiors and landscaping gardens is a huge undertaking but one that is incredibly rewarding. Add a new location and lifestyle shift into the mix and you have the recipe for a life-changing experience. Before building a home abroad, do your research thoroughly and consider all of the potential risks and issues that could arise so you can prepare accordingly.
TID nasce con un grande obiettivo: creare un network in grado di far circolare le idee più giovani e creative nell’attuale panorama del design rendendo così più efficace e semplice l’incontro tra domanda e offerta. Giovani designer e architetti possono caricare online i propri lavori, a fianco di quelli dei professionisti già affermati, creando una proposta unica nel panorama mondiale: un’infinità di idee, spunti, proposte che ti aiuteranno ad arredare casa, ufficio, locali, seguendo le idee più attuali e interessanti.