In the world of home building, there are two main materials that people use: concrete and wood.

If you’re confused about which material is best for home building, we are here to help you. As a reputable concrete company in Sydney, we can share information on both the advantages and disadvantages of each for home building. That way, you can make an informed decision on what type of material would work best for your particular situation.

How To Find The Perfect Material For Home Building

It’s not enough to just look for the pros and cons of each material. The most important step is to have clarity on your priorities. That way, you can look at the features and benefits of each and see how they match your needs.

Here are some guide questions you can use to find clarity on your priorities:

#1: What is your budget?
#2 Are you looking for materials that don’t require too much long term maintenance?
#3 Are you looking to build a home that’s eco-friendly?

#4 Are you looking to build your home by yourself, or are you looking to outsource to a builder or concrete company in Sydney?

#5 Do you want to fire-proof and termite-proof your home?

If you need help gaining clarity on your home priorities, it’s best to consult with a builder or concrete contractor regarding your goals.

Now, let’s dive into the pros and cons of each and see how they match your priorities.

Wood’s Advantages For Home Building

#1 Wood is a renewable resource.

Wood is a renewable resource that can be grown and replenished in just four years. Since it’s a sustainable option, wood doesn’t contribute to air pollution.

#2 Wood is an environmentally friendly building material.

Wood has low carbon dioxide emissions and doesn’t require any extra fossil fuel when it’s being processed for use in homebuilding.

#3 Wood has natural insulating properties that make it more energy-efficient than other materials.

Because of the air pockets within the wood’s cellular structure,  it has natural insulating properties that make it more energy-efficient than other materials.

Wood’s Disadvantages For Home Building

#1 Wood is a natural material that can be damaged by insects and moisture.

Wood can attract termites. Moist conditions can also soften the wood which can result in wet rot and fungus that can be dangerous to your health.

#2 Wood requires regular maintenance to keep it looking good.

Regular maintenance is required to keep wood looking good. That’s because the wood is porous and absorbs moisture.

#3 Wood is not as durable as other building materials, such as steel or concrete

Because wood can be damaged by moisture and attract termites, it may not be as durable as steel or concrete. If durability is your priority, it’s best to look for another material option.

Wood Is Perfect for you!

If you’re feeling budget-conscious right now but still wants to build a lovely home, then wood might be a great choice for you. It’s also great if you advocate for eco-friendly living.

You can also save on costs by building something entirely from scratch. Wood can be found anywhere. You don’t need to purchase them or have them prefabricated. Wood is perfect for you if you’re also keen on using renewable resources.

Concrete’s Advantages For Home Building

#1 Concrete can be moulded into any shape or size.

A concrete company knows that concrete can be moulded into any shape or size. That’s an advantage if you’re looking for something special or customized. Concrete can also be formed into a variety of textures and colours. With concrete, you can have a lot of options for the design of your home.

#2 Concrete is fireproof, watertight, and termite resistant.

If you’re concerned about the durability of your home, you might want to consider concrete. Concrete is a manmade material that can withstand the elements without being damaged.

#3 Concrete has low maintenance cost over time.

Because concrete doesn’t rot nor get infested by termites, it has a low maintenance cost over time. It’s perfect for those looking to save money in the long term.

Because concrete is not susceptible to termites and will not rot, it’s a worthy long-term investment.

Concrete’s Disadvantages For Home Building

#1 It’s not a great option for those who are on a tight budget.

Although concrete is a worthy long-term investment, it may still be expensive in the short term. It needs to be prefabricated and is not naturally made in nature.

#2 Concrete is heavy and difficult to work with.

Some people may find it hard to get a uniform texture and colour of the coating on a concrete surface; this could

#3 If you want your house built in concrete, you need help from people who specialize in this material type.

Concrete is a specialised building material and you will need to find someone who has experience with it. Finding an effective concrete company can help you handle and install concrete more effectively.

Concrete Company Shares Advice Before Building

Any concrete company or construction company would say that construction for any type of project is a process that requires essential steps. Each step is needed for preparation and building your project with a strong foundation. It will all add up to a successful project made through a thorough process and with high-quality materials. From coming up with a budget to finding an expert concrete partner, putting your plans into action is not an easy task. There are some ways to prepare for construction and avoiding costly mistakes on your next building project.

Plan your budget

Your budget plays a big role on what your end product will be and whether or not the project will succeed. Before taking any other step, start with thinking about how much the building will cost. The budgeting phase is where you can determine how the project will go and what the result will be depending on what you can afford. You may take as much time as you want in planning your budget.

Choose your lot

Looking for the right parcel to build on requires a lot to be considered. Is the environment the kind that you prefer? Or do you want a scenic view or somewhere deep in the suburbs? While choosing a plot of land, you must also have an idea of the floor plans and other details you want to execute. The lot you choose must be sufficient for the overall project being built.

Assemble a team

After having a final budget and an official building site, it is time to hire a team of professionals. And you must be able to trust them to turn your project into reality. There are many builders, designers, and architects available. But select people who understand your vision for this building. Besides these professionals, selecting the right subcontractors are also just as important.

Negotiate a contract

Get contracts for every professional in your project with the specifics of the services you will be expecting. From the design to the materials. Another critical foundation of a building project is finding an expert concrete company with adequate experience and trusted services for all types of concrete works.

What to Look for in a Concrete Company

It is important to partner with a concrete company that is reliable, skillful, and honest. Many people often hire a concrete company without proper research and communication. This often results in delays, troubles, problems, and even additional costs.

Experience

You can start by looking through a contractor’s years of work and experience. Look into their portfolio as a concrete company, the projects they’ve accomplished, and the number of previous and current clients. You need to get experienced and skillful contractors. They should easily provide insights and recommendations for getting the best results. They are most likely reliable and skillful enough to help you achieve your goals. This is because they are backed up with years of great service and quality work.

Reviews and Reputation

It is also important to look at what other people are saying and recommending. It’s best to look through their website and social media channels. You will be able to see feedbacks and reviews from their previous clients. Also, check for poor reviews. You should see how the contractor addresses these complaints and how they handled the problem. Having a reputable contractor to work on your building project means having a stress-free and worry-free evenings.

Insurance

A good concrete contractor should always make sure there are no accidents and damages during the process, but sometimes we cannot avoid them. You need to ensure that any accident will be covered by them and not you. Check for insurance policies on how they protect your property. Some contractors offer general liability coverage in their package or quote.

Pricing

Make sure you are getting a good value with what you pay for. Some contractors offer relatively low prices but low quality work as well. Always aim for the best quality work with an affordable price. Make sure that all your needs are communicated to the contractor, so they know what services to include in their quote. Problems relating to prices might occur if there is no proper communication between both parties.

Concrete Is Perfect For You!

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance home, then concrete is the way to go. Concrete is durable, cost-effective and in some ways, environmentally friendly way to build a home.  It’s the perfect material choice for people who want to build a garage or a basement.

You also need to build your home out of concrete if you don’t have the right soil conditions for traditional building material.  And if you prioritize making your home fireproof and earthquake resistant, concrete is the way to go!

What to Consider in a Concrete Company

Before you select a concrete company to partner with, there are things you need to consider. One of them is reliability. Make sure that the concrete company is composed of reliable and experienced concrete contractor and concrete builders.  They need to have a history of completing projects on time, and they need to be communicative about changes and deadlines.

Are you ready to work with a Concrete Company?

If you are ready to partner with a concrete company in Sydney, please send us a message today. We’re always ready to help you!