1.) Site Selection

Selecting a lot is one of the biggest challenges because of availability and feasibility. Below are some resources to help select the perfect lot:

-->Step 1: Finding Land

-->Step 2: Zoning Analysis

Appendix:

• Perc. Testing

• Tear Down and Demo Work

2. Budget & Financing

The next step is to establish your budget and understand what you can achieve within it. The following articles will guide you in accurately budgeting for your build:

-->Step 1: Estimating Construction Costs

-->Step 2: Securing Home Construction Financing

Additional Resources:

• Should You Buy or Build? A Cost Comparison

• 5 Strategies to Save $100k on Your Build

• The Value of New Homes: Do They Appreciate Over Time?

Design

What makes a great Farmhouse Design? Find out below!

3.)Home Design

Creating your dream home is an incredibly rewarding part of the journey. Explore these valuable resources tailored for boutique farmhouse and family resort plans:

-->Step 1: Choosing Between Stock Plans and Custom Plans (Architect vs. Home Designer)

-->Step 2: Customizing Stock Plans to Fit Your Vision

-->Step 3: Structural Engineering for Boutique House Plans

Appendix:

• Navigating Building Codes

• Deciding Between Custom and Spec Homes

• Understanding the Popularity of Modular Homes

• Achieving the Right Scale

• Designing an Accessible Floor Plan

• Comparing Costs: Single-Story vs. Two-Story Homes

HOME CONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST

• PRE-CONSTRUCTION & SHELL

  ☐ 1 BUDGET & FINANCING PRE-APPROVAL

  ☐ 2 LOT SELECTION

  ☐ 3 ZONING COMPLIANCE REVIEW

  ☐ 3.1 → Land Use

  ☐ 3.2 → Easements, Set Backs

  ☐ 3.3 → Access, Street Improvements

  ☐ 3.4 → Utility Availability

  ☐ 4 HOUSE PLANS

  ☐ 4.1 → Purchase (& Modify) Stock Home Plans

  ☐ 4.2 → Custom Plans (Architect or Draftsman)

  ☐ 4.3 → Equipment & Material Specifications

  ☐ 5 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING (if applicable)

  ☐ 6 LOT SURVEY

  ☐ 6.1 → House & Driveway Placement

  ☐ 6.2 → Well Locaton (If applicable)

  ☐ 6.3 → Septic Location (If applicable)

  ☐ 6.4 → Site Plan Drafted

  ☐ 7 DUE DILIGENCE

  ☐ 7.1 → Percolation Test (If applicable)

  ☐ 7.2 → Geotechincal Engineering (If applicable)

  ☐ 8 GENERAL CONTRACTOR (if applicable)

  ☐ 8.1 → Vetting

  ☐ 8.2 → Bidding

  ☐ 8.3 → Contract

  ☐ 8.4 → Construction & Draw Schedule

  ☐ 9 INSURANCE

  ☐ 10 FINALIZE FINANCING

  ☐ 10.1 → Financing or Mortgage Type

  ☐ 10.2 → Approval

  ☐ 10.3 → Closing Costs

  ☐ 11 BUILDING PERMITS

  ☐ 11.1 → Fees

  ☐ 11.2 → Inspection Schedule

  ☐ 12 PROCUREMENT

  ☐ 12.1 → Quantity take-off

  ☐ 12.2 → Subcontractor Bidding

  SHELL

  ☐ 13 DEMOLITION (If Applicable)

  ☐ 14 LOT CLEARING

  ☐ 14.1 → Debris Removal & Clearing

  ☐ 14.2 → Dump Fee

  ☐ 15 DRIVEWAY, rough grading

  ☐ 15.1 → Grade

  ☐ 15.2 → Base Rock, Culverts, Construction Entrance

  ☐ 16 UTILITIES

  ☐ 16.1 → Temporary electrical hookup

  ☐ 16.2 → Septic OR Public Sewer Hookup

  ☐ 16.3 → Well OR Public Water Hookup

  ☐ 17 LAYOUT HOUSE FOOTPRINT

  ☐ 17.1 → Establish Finish Floor Reference Height

  ☐ 17.2 → Staking - Check Set Back Distances

  ☐ 18 EXCAVATE FOUNDATION

  ☐ 19 FOOTERS

  ☐ 19.1 → Formwork & Rebar

  ☐ 19.2 → Concrete Poured

  ☐ 20 TERMITE TREATMENT

  ☐ 21 RADON CONTROL SYSTEM (if applicable)

  ☐ 22 FOUNDATION WALLS

  ☐ 22.1 → CMU Block + Rebar + Concrete

  ☐ 22.2 → ICF Block + Rebar + Concrete

  ☐ 22.3 → Formwork + Rebar + Concrete

  ☐ 23 → Exterior Waterproofing

  ☐ 24 COLUMNS/BEAMS INSTALLED

  ☐ 25 UNDERGROUND PLUMBING

  ☐ 25.1 → Sanitary Plumbing

  ☐ 25.2 → Drain Tile, Sump Plumbing & Gravel Backfill

  ☐ 26 CONCRETE SLABS & FIREPLACE HEARTH

  ☐ 26.1 → Gravel, formwork

  ☐ 26.2 → Rebar

  ☐ 26.3 → Concrete pour

  ☐ 27 BACK FILL, rough

  ☐ 28 FRAMING

  ☐ 28.1 → Floor Framing & Sheathing

  ☐ 28.2 → Structural Timber Framing (if app.)

  ☐ 28.3 → Wall Framing & Sheathing

  ☐ 28.4 → Stair Framing

  ☐ 28.5 → Roof Framing & Sheathing

  ☐ 29 WATERPROOFING & VAPOR BARRIER

  ☐ 29.1 → Taping and/or House Wrap

  ☐ 29.2 → Flash Window/Door Openings

• FINISHES

  ☐ 30 ROUGH-IN PLUMBING

  ☐ 30.1 → Sanitary

  ☐ 30.2 → Water

  ☐ 30.3 → Fire Sprinkler (if applicable)

  ☐ 31 ROUGH-IN HVAC

  ☐ 31.1 → Ductwork

  ☐ 31.2 → Hydronic (Heated floors or Radiators)

  ☐ 31.3 → Exhaust Fans & Vents

  ☐ 31.4 → Outside Air Supply (ERV/HRV)

  ☐ 31.5 → Refrigerant Rough-In

  ☐ 31.6 → Fireplace & Chimney Flues

  ☐ 32 FIRESTOPPING & BLOCKING

  ☐ 33 WINDOWS/DOORS/OPENINGS

  ☐ 33.1 → Windows

  ☐ 33.2 → Exterior Doors

  ☐ 33.3 → Skylights and Light Tubes

  ☐ 34 FASCIA

  ☐ 35 ROOFING

  ☐ 35.1 → Ice/Water Shield

  ☐ 35.2 → Flashing, Drip Edge

  ☐ 35.3 → Roofing

  ☐ 35.4 → Ridge Vents

  ☐ 36 SOFFIT & SOFFIT VENT

  ☐ 37 SIDING

  ☐ 37.1 → House Wrap, window/door flashing

  ☐ 37.2 → Corner Trim, Soffit Trim

  ☐ 37.3 → Siding

  ☐ 37.4 → Shutters, Architectural accents, Rafter Tails, etc.

  ☐ 37.5 → Caulking

  ☐ 38 MASONRY SIDING

  ☐ 38.1 → Siding

  ☐ 38.2 → Chimney cap

  ☐ 39 GUTTER & DOWNSPOUTS

  ☐ 39.1 → Stormwater Control Structures

  ☐ 40 ROUGH-IN ELECTRIC

  ☐ 40.1 → Main Panel

  ☐ 40.2 → Junction Boxes & High Voltage RUns

  ☐ 41 LOW VOLTAGE SPECIALTY SUBCONTRACTORS

  ☐ 41.1 → Communications: TV, Phone, Ethernet

  ☐ 41.2 → Central Vacuum

  ☐ 41.3 → Security

  ☐ 41.4 → Smart Home

  ☐ 41.5 → Audio

  ☐ 42 INSULATION ☐ 42.1 → Crawl Space, Basement

  ☐ 42.2 → Ceilings

  ☐ 42.3 → Walls

  ☐ 42.4 → Attic, rafters (rafter venting)

  ☐ 43 EXTERIOR PAINT

  ☐ 43.1 → Siding

  ☐ 43.2 → Trim

  ☐ 44 DRYWALL

  ☐ 44.1 → Hang

  ☐ 44.2 → Tape

  ☐ 44.3 → Block & Skim Coats

  ☐ 44.4 → Sanding

  ☐ 45 TILE FLOORING

  ☐ 45.1 → Tile Underlayment

  ☐ 45.2 → Tile

  ☐ 45.3 → Grout & Sealer

  ☐ 46 OTHER FLOORING

  ☐ 46.1 → Wood

  ☐ 46.2 → Vinyl

  ☐ 46.3 → Carpet (Padding & Tack strips)

  ☐ 46.4 → Stair Treads & Risers

  ☐ 47 CASEWORK

  ☐ 47.1 → Kitchen Cabinets, Bath Vanities

  ☐ 47.2 → Kitchen Counter Tops

  ☐ 47.3 → Bath Vanity Tops

  ☐ 47.4 → Medicine Cabinets

  ☐ 48 MILLWORK

  ☐ 48.1 → Railings (Interior & Exterior)

  ☐ 48.2 → Architectural Timber Framing (if applicable)

  ☐ 48.3 → Interior Doors

  ☐ 48.4 → Base Trim

  ☐ 48.5 → Crown Moulding

  ☐ 48.6 → Window/Door Casings

  ☐ 48.7 → Closet Shelving

  ☐ 49 INTERIOR PAINT

  ☐ 50 FINISH GRADING

  ☐ 51 FINISH DRIVEWAY

  ☐ 53 WALKWAYS

  ☐ 53.1 → Formwork, rebar

  ☐ 53.2 → Concrete

  ☐ 53.3 → Pavers

  ☐ 52 GARAGE DOORS

  ☐ 52.1 → Opener

  ☐ 52.2 → Weatherstripping

  ☐ 54 FINISH ELECTRICAL

  ☐ 54.1 → Switches + Outlets + Plate Covers

  ☐ 54.2 → Lighting Fixtures

  ☐ 54.3 → Equipment Hookups

  ☐ 55 FINISH HVAC

  ☐ 55.1 → Thermostats

  ☐ 55.2 → Install & Test Equipment

  ☐ 55.3 → Registers & Diffusers

  ☐ 56 FINISH PLUMBING

  ☐ 56.1 → Fixtures installed & Tested

  ☐ 57 LANDSCAPING ☐ 58 LAWN SEEDING or SODING

  ☐ 59 APPLIANCE INSTALLATION

  ☐ 60 FINAL CLEAN UP

  ☐ 61 WALK THROUGH INSPECTION

  ☐ 62 PUNCH LIST COMPLETE

  ☐ 63 CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY