27 August 2015
1. Choose a home design that is appropriate to the size and setting of your block. Generous acreage with an expansive outlook, for example, deserves a decent-sized home. You don't want to undercapitalise your property.
2. Have a secure area in which to store the first delivery. Galvanised steel frames won't rust, but you want everything safe and clean. Try to store the materials in the reverse order that you'll need them, so you don't have to dig for or shift components to get at what you want. Our drivers know the best way to store your materials, so talk to them before they unload the truck.
Some people build a storage shed, workshop or garage before they start their home. This is a good idea as it's a great place to store your tools and hardware. The second kit delivery isn't such a concern, as it can be stored under cover in your locked up home.
3. Read the manual entirely through before you commence building. That will give you an idea of the scope of the project. Then start again at the beginning.
4. Assess what your skills are and what tasks you feel happy undertaking. Some owner builders enjoy learning new skills. Others prefer to leave some tasks to specialised tradespeople.
5. Consider hiring trades help for larger tasks such as roofing and plaster boarding, especially if you are building one of Met-Kit's larger designs. You can partner with the tradesperson, or focus on other parts of the home while the tradie makes short work of these sometimes lengthy jobs.
6. A strong start on the home at the end of winter or early springtime will yield benefits later on when you are working undercover during the hottest months of summer.
7. For Met-Kit's larger homes, a portable scaffold can be a good idea for erecting the roof trusses, rather than a stepladder that has a limited working range and must be constantly shifted.
8. Don't hesitate to call our technical staff, available Monday to Friday, if you get stuck during the building process. They're there to help. A quick phone call can often sort out a problem that will seem straightforward in retrospect.