Building a new home is exciting and challenging. There are too many things to put into consideration, all of which come with price tags. Here's hoping that these helpful tips would get you all set for your new project for the coming new year.

First things first: be qualified for a home mortgage. Even before you begin house-hunting, know how much you can afford. Contact a reliable lender and give them the basic information regarding your income, assets, debt – your financial background, basically – to know what mortgage you qualify for. In determining what kind of mortgage payment you can afford, factors such as taxes, insurance and maintenance would also come into play.

Good builders and contractors are the root of good constructions. Find a reputable builder – research; do your homework before work could be done on your home. Make sure your builder has good reputation with banks, suppliers and customers. It's advisable to ask around to know more about the actual quality of craftsmanship of your choice builder or remodeler and contractor. Like in my case I asked a friend, who also had a recent home remodeling, to recommend a contractor who specializes in masonry in Washington DC. Also, remember that communication is the key. You should be able to keep close contact and thoroughly discuss matters with them all throughout the construction process. It's best if you contact local homebuilders associations to get a complete list of first-rate builders or developers, remodelers and masonry contractors in Washington DC.

Collect, collect then select the location. Whether it's in a bustling city or a suburban area, make sure you'd fit right into the community with ease. Check if the area has easy access to transportation routes, schools, shopping complexes among others. Also, know in advance if the developer allows for additional creation of amenities in your home like swimming pools, stone walk ways, ponds and patios. A good friend of mine had already made arrangements an expert in masonry in MD known for superb concrete stone work in MD when she found out that their developer did not allow further landscaping.

Be budget conscious. There is a base price for homes in certain communities but this is not the final cost. You might want to do further upgrades or renovations – flooring, built-in cabinets, mood lighting – but do not get carried away.

Be mindful of resale value. Pretty sure you don't have plans of living in your house ‘til you wither away so be aware of its potential value. Too many upgrades or revisions in your house might make it overpriced for the neighborhood. Choose designs and features that would appeal to most, if not all, homeowners.

Follow a timeline but do not be oblivious to delays. Weather changes, labor problems, supply shortage can cause delay in your home construction. Errors can happen – yes, they do happen – so stretch out both your time and patience and try doing some compromise

Watch the progress and watch closely. This could prevent delays, mix-ups and errors so be sure you're able to keep track of the construction progress. Keep in touch with your builder, visit the site regularly, and just be involved.

Hernandez Masonry is a company offering Masonry in Washington DC and Masonry contractors in Washington DC. For more information, visit http://www.hernandezmasonry.com/