Question: what should i be aware when building your own house?

Architecture student here, there are TOO MANY considerations to take into account, but the first one that Architects choose to dismiss is your BUDGET.

What is your approximate building cost? Now times that x1.5 or x2 if you are in-experienced (though with the right consultation you can even go under budget.

Second is your SITE. What are the site conditions? is there a slope or gradient? does water pool underneath your proposed building area? is their trees around the building on your site to prevent soil erosion? Think carefully on that, 90% of the time I see a first year or DIY'er do is orient the house in the wrong position, this can mean (depending on the hemisphere) living in the northern hemisphere with south facing windows generates too much heat and the same can be said about too little windows on the north facade. Be very purposeful on how you orient your spaces (Tip: Have your bedrooms with windows facing the east facade, this makes it easier for you to wake up in the morning and have a healthier sleeping schedule etc).

Third is your CONCEPT. Probably the most entertaining bit and what architects get recognized for, even though its the least we do in some situations. Follow what suits you, find inspiration in houses you look at and the history of the town/area you reside in. Please for the love of god do not go on pinterest or tumblr for housing ideas, they may look pretty but are severely impractical (eg. that photo circulated of a bedroom with a slide behind a bookshelf that connects to a pool downstairs, MOISTURE!TEMPERATURE!HUMIDITY!WINDSPEED ALERT! no amount of insulation or membranes will protect you from that shit)

Fourth is DETAILING. Making your design come true! This is 90% of an architects/engineers job. You have to design a frame that will protect your structure from the elements and ensure it stays temperate and dry for the life of the building. This means making a structure that is suitable for habitation and won't kill you if the building decides to fall apart. One other variable is to consider the weather conditions. Remember the 4 D's DEFLECTION, DRAINAGE, DRYING and DURABILITY. When you build, make sure the cladding/roofing/sills/etc DEFLECT harsh weather conditions of your building frame, if that doesn't work it must be able to DRAIN away from the frame, if not that then it must be able to DRY through ventilation or other methods. If worst comes to worst, the building must be DURABLE for the conditions which is costly to repair throughout the life of the building.

Fifth is getting consent for your building from your local council/territorial authority. Good luck lol.

Sixth is finding a suitable builder for the job, it's generally better to pay someone full price that knows what they're doing compared to the local drunk that can half ass-it for a quarter for the price, it WILL be more expensive if you cheap out on the builder, also get a credit check on the builder if you can, they have a tendency to go bankrupt and quit jobs when you've already paid them.

I guess once you've done your final checks you'll be sweet. Be sure to use the environment to your advantage! Low sun angles during the winter can give more surface area to concrete structures, Put that in your building and you essentially have free heating. Be meticulous and don't be afraid to question what the builder is doing, you are the client/architect and you are paying them. Good luck and don't die.

Reference

/r/DIY Thread Parent