Example of Cause and Effect

To Build or Not to Build

Building permits, water and sewer taps, architectural drawings, delayed schedules, construction mishaps, and disreputable builders are a few horrors that race through a person's mind when thinking of building a house. Those who have never tried it would probably hesitate or at best think it over for several days. Some people who have dared to build their own homes swear that they would never do it again. So then, why is it that some still choose to enter into this uncelebrated, unfamiliar experience? The reasons vary, but the common ones are that building a home may be a necessity, may have a financial advantage, and can provide personal satisfaction in a unique design.

In some cases, one major cause, necessity, underlies the decision to build one's own home. Unless people have beautiful property and plenty of money, they purchase a preconstructed home when they are in the market for a house. However, when the housing market does not offer the house they want or need, then potential buyers may be forced to construct the house for themselves. For instance, if one is moving to a small town where land is reasonable and the housing market is poor, building is the only choice. Or if a family has a special need like four baths or a walk-out basement for a business, there is no alternative but to build. If a person wants to move into a certain area where the choice of homes is limited, then construction of a custom home becomes unavoidable.

Another important reason for building a home may be financial. Building a home keeps an owner from paying a large real-estate commission. Cur­rently, a real estate commission is 7 percent, so if someone buys a ready-made $70,000 home, the buyer will be paying close to $5,000 in real-estate fees. Also, a prospective home builder has some flexible control over the total cost of the construction. "Sweat equity" is a term that means that the home­owner and the home builder enter into a partnership in which the owner can do some of the labor to defray costs. Painting, tiling, landscaping, or any labor the owner chooses can be done on weekends to save dollars. In the same way, if the builders have plenty of time and flexible taste, they can find bargains for lumber, concrete, appliances, carpet, or any other major items. The buyers have no control over most of these items in an already-constructed house. More control over finances can be a significant underlying reason for deciding in favor of building a home instead of purchasing a preconstructed home.

Other important reasons for building a home are psychological. The chal­lenge of accomplishing a major project can bring a person satisfaction when Other important reasons for building a home are psychological. The chal­lenge of accomplishing a major project can bring a person satisfaction when the job is completed. Also, the prospective home builders feel as though they are the creators of the home and immediately take on the pride of ownership. Because they have a better idea of the struggle and time that went into the home, they have a deep sense of appreciation. Another emotion that might cause a person to build a home is obtaining a sense of individualism. Because the homeowner-builders have the opportunity to create and change the floor plan, they know that no other home exists that is exactly like their own. To those people who feel strongly about having a unique design, this motive may be a very strong incentive for building. Even though emotional causes may not be very obvious at first, they are usually very strong influencing forces.

A person's home is an extremely important place. It represents not only shelter but personal tastes and satisfactions, it is also the most valuable item a person ever owns. Deciding to build this valuable possession can be fright­ening and frustrating. Many people would never choose to take on such a major responsibility and task. However, some people are forced into the decision and find that there are advantages. Financial benefits, an opportu­nity to exhibit creativity, and a deep enjoyment and satisfaction in having a unique design can cause people to undertake this creative and satisfying project.