Building Your Own Home For Dummies

Use the following suggestions for setting up categories for your filing system: Architecture and design Contractor communication Contracts Financing Invoices Land purchase Materials information Paid receipts Permits and approvals Subcontractor communication Warrantees

Design your house to accommodate any new technology by providing tubing (conduit) and cubbies that give you general access points to rooms in the house. Mark the access points clearly so you can always add things where you want them. Make sure you

Always discuss the price with the architect before you sign a contract. Get a complete estimate upfront with a detailed breakdown of expenses. Set a maximum price with progress payments based upon certain milestones such as the preliminary design and design review approval

The second way of billing is on an hourly basis. Hourly rates vary widely depending on the firm you engage, its experience and reputation, and its location.

Wondering what the biggest mistake made in the design process is? Underestimating the time you need and the sheer amount of decisions you need to make.

Ask the homeowners’ association (HOA), your real estate agent, or title company for a set of CC&Rs and design review guidelines to find out about other restrictions, such as setback limits, style limitations, and height limits, before you agree to purchase any lot.

You can also choose from a growing number of talented home designers who aren’t licensed architects. They offer you the possibility of significant cost savings in the design phase of building your new home. They don’t have the architectural training or certification, so they bill at a lower rate than architects. These designers may draft the house

The footprint of the home is the building’s outer perimeter and how it sits upon the lot, taking into account the setbacks (see Figure 3-1). When looking at a lot, try to imagine in rough design how positioning the footprint can take advantage of the following: Drainage Noise Sunlight Topography Views Wind

Get the facts from the architect and conduct your own research. The more you take responsibility for educating yourself and making some decisions upfront, the greater chance you have of eliminating problems, saving some money, and getting the home you’re looking for. Use your architect as the high-paid consultant that he is and make sure to set a r

When choosing the right architect, look for someone that fits the needs of your particular project and working style. You may want someone who manages the whole process or perhaps will work with you in a teamlike manner. Plan to have several discussions with two or three different architects so you can choose the right one for you. Here are the imp