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Buying a Home For the Home Home Real Estate

Custom Homes Vs Self Builds: What’s The Difference and Which is Best?

Want to design your own house from scratch? There are two options that you can pursue: a custom home or a self build. Both are slightly different approaches that each have their pros and cons. This post explains the difference between the two so you can choose between custom homes vs self builds.

Custom Homes Vs Self Builds

What is a custom home?

Custom home developers are companies that help build a home for you. They supply a plot of land for you (you get to choose from multiple places owned by them), and then you get to choose the design, including the layout and other various features to fit your needs. Such companies typically have their own in-house architects and take charge of ordering materials and hiring contractors for you.

They take away much of the work while allowing you to customize your home. This is the big appeal of such homes – they take away the stress. Your home will likely get constructed more quickly than if you go the self-build route.

The level of customization with a custom build typically isn’t as great as a self-build as there may be templates a developer wants to stick to and a limited choice of materials.

What is a self-build?

A self-build is a home that you independently build. You are responsible for sourcing a plot of land, designing the house, and building it. You can still hire architects and contractors, but you’ll have to source these yourself. Consequently, self-builds involve a lot more responsibility and can be riskier as you don’t have a developer to guide you through the process.

The biggest perk is that you have almost limitless freedom as to how you build your home, providing it meets building code requirements. You can experiment with materials or play with much wackier designs. It also improves your choices when it comes to plots of land.

You also have the choice to reduce costs more by doing some of the labor yourself and taking your time with construction. Self-builds typically take longer to build but are generally cheaper.

Which one is right for you? Custom Homes Vs Self Builds

All in all, opting for a custom home or a self build comes down to the level of responsibility you want. A self build could be a better option if you want more control over the design and cost. A custom home is better if you want to relieve the responsibility of sourcing land, materials, and contractors.

Categories
How To Life Parenting

4 Good Ways To Get Involved In Your Kids’ School Activities

If you want to get involved in your kids’ school activities, there are many ways you can do so. Your child will love your involvement, and you’ll cherish the memories forever. Plus, it helps improve their school experience.

Research indicates that parents and guardians actively participating in their children’s school activities help their young ones feel safe. It also encourages them to become well-rounded students, and could even go some way to helping with the negative affects of teacher shortage on learning.

Education is a partnership between parents and the school, which explains the need for effective communication and other helpful tools to make a positive impact. Notably, 80% of US parents get involved with their children’s schools. The discussion below offers more ideas on how to do this.

How to Get Involved In Your Kids’ School Activities

1. Offer ready support for your child’s homework and school projects

No matter how academically savvy your child is, it is always helpful to provide the needed support with homework. It shows your unbridled commitment to your child’s academic life and, more importantly, your role in their lives.

The objective is not to provide answers to the questions or activities they bring home. The point is to give guidance. Your involvement may include setting up a place in the home for your children to complete school assignments.

Additionally, it helps to take note of the work they bring home. Kids observe their parents’ level of commitment to homework monitoring. Being invoved can improve their dedication to completing these assignments. Moreover, they may avoid hiding their homework, knowing you will check.

2. Be proud to wear the school’s spirit wear

Having school paraphernalia and souvenirs is a great way to get involved. It includes identifying with the educational facility during school games and other activities that parents attend. By wearing the school’s spirit wear, you demonstrate your solidarity with them. If you’re yet to have them in your size, with the school’s permission, you can order from places like 1st Place Spiritwear.

3. Attend school events

According to reports, 60% of parents planned their schedules around the school’s calendar. That way, it becomes easier to track and show up for school games, exhibitions, concerts, etc. Most schools usually take note of parents who actively participate in these activities.

Your kids are more likely to forgive you when showing up for other school programs becomes impossible. Additionally, their awareness of your active involvement with school activities reduces the chances of skipping classes. According to imprintnews.org, 50% of school kids between 9 and 13 skip classes at least once a term.

4. Volunteer for school projects

Volunteering is a common practice in many schools around the country. The objective is to encourage and attract more parents to develop cordial relationships with their kids’ schools. Currently, 60% of parents in the US have volunteered in their children’s school at least twice in the last twelve months. Admittedly, your work schedule sometimes makes it impossible to be available during school hours. However, you can ask the school for other ways to volunteer your time when you are not working.

Recap: Get Involved In Your Kids’ School Activities

It would be beneficial to demonstrate your interest in your child’s school. At some point, you might even start to enjoy your active involvement in these various school activities. If you’re still unsure how to get involved in your kids’ school activities, ask the staff what they need. There’s always some way for you to help, and you and your child will be glad you did.