Some folks would argue that there’s never been a better time to build a dream home. "Wait!" you say, "The economy is in bad shape. Why should I build now?" The answer to your question may surprise you, but there’s definitely a financial upside to building a home today, and if you do it right, you can save some real money in the process. At Sedgewick Homes, we talk to a lot of people who question how they can save money by building. As experienced contractors, we can offer you some solid advice. Here are some good tips for saving money in the process of building your dream home.

Hire a builder you can trust. Check the builder’s references, go see his or her previous projects and talk to the owners of those homes. Most important, get your builder’s commitments in writing so there are no questions about who said what later.

Communicate well. At Sedgewick Homes we encourage you to talk to your builder about what you want; don’t make him or her guess and eventually have to do it all over because you never said what you wanted in the first place. Ask the builder to repeat back your expectations so you know that you’re on the same page.

Consider what you’ll put in the home. Do you have two living spaces to fill? Is there an extra bedroom in the mix? Or are you downsizing –giving you the ability to cash in on décor you no longer need? Remember that what you put in the house can be a major expense. If you must shop for furnishings, do so wisely.

Talk to your accountant. Find out what tax credits might be available to you as a new home owner or as the owner of a home with energy efficient details. You may just find that you will save enough to upgrade to nicer versions of what you originally envisioned.

Remember, all the little things can add up to big expenses, or—on the flip side—big savings. Make careful, thoughtful decisions and you will feel great about the process and enjoy substantial overall savings.