Checklist for First-Time Home Builders: Before You Build

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First-time home building can be overwhelming, but never fear! We’ve come up with a comprehensive checklist specifically designed with you in mind. Use it to assess where you are in the process and what you have left to do before you delve into the construction of your new home.

The Prebuilding Phase

The prebuilding phase of your checklist may be the most important part of the entire process. Being thorough on the front end of building your home will save you a lot of time, money, and frustration down the road. Use the bulleted lists to assess your progress in each area.

Plan your budget.{{cta(‘b8385c79-74d9-4f17-9e0f-fed16cb4220d’,’justifyright’)}}

Your budget is the linchpin of your entire building process; without it, you simply cannot succeed. The first step in budgeting for your custom home is determining how much you can afford. Knowing your price cap will help you choose your home’s size, location, and features.

It’s wise to contact a few lenders to find out what loans are available to you and what kind of interest rate you can expect for your mortgage. From there, work backward to establish your down payment and desired mortgage. After you’ve laid out your budget, ask yourself the following questions to make sure you didn’t miss anything important:

Do I know how much money I can comfortably spend?
Do I know how much money I can offer as a down payment?
Have I researched mortgage interest and fee costs?
Do I know whether I want to sign on to a 15-year or 30-year mortgage?
Have I accounted for expenses like moving costs or new furniture?
Have I included a contingency budget?

Choose your builder.

Your building partner will be your ally as you move forward, so choose wisely. Begin researching home construction companies in your area. Ask family, friends, and neighbors if they have any companies to recommend. Narrow down your list, and ask potential candidates for references. Once you have your list down to two or three companies, schedule in-person interviews.

Be sure to have a solid grasp on a company’s experience, character, and reputation before you sign on with them. Ask yourself the following questions to evaluate your progress in finding a home building partner:

Have I thoroughly researched potential candidates?
Have I narrowed my list of candidates down based on references, reviews, and reputation?
Did I obtain multiple bids to ensure that I am receiving a fair quote?
Have I conducted in-person interviews and met the team I’ll be working with?
Will my final candidate be able to meet my needs for time, money, and communication?
Do I have a good gut feeling about my final candidate?

Purchase your land.

Often, the building company you work with will impact the location of your home. Most home builders have pre-determined neighborhoods in which they build, but some will allow you to choose an independent lot. Regardless, be sure to evaluate the location of your new home. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before purchasing land:

Are there safety hazards associated with this location?
Is this an ideal area for my family?
How will this location impact my commute?
What is the traffic like?
Are there desirable schools nearby?
Will I be a short distance away from everything I need (grocery store, mall, highways, etc.)?
Am I getting the best piece of land for the best price?
Will this land accommodate the yard space I desire?
How will this land and location impact the resale value of my home?

Design your home.

Now the fun begins! The beauty of building a custom home is just that—you can make it exactly what you want! Work with your home builder to determine your wants, needs, and must-haves. Make a prioritized list of features to help you put your budget to its best use.

Remember to consider your long-term needs so your new home can serve your family well for many years to come. As you design your home, ask yourself the following questions:

Does this design include all the space my family needs (bedrooms, bathrooms, garage space, etc.)?
Does it include my must-have features?
Will the furniture I want to keep fit into the their intended rooms?
Does this design accommodate potential growth in my household (babies, adult children returning home, elderly parents)?
Does the layout serve my family’s lifestyle?
Does this design maximize my budget?
Does this design remedy problems I face in my current home?

Are you ready to begin the custom home building process? If you’re looking for a Des Moines-area home builder, we’d love to work with you! We will walk you through every step of the home-building process to make sure every important detail is covered. If you want more information, you can download our Custom Home Building FAQ Guide and learn more about our building process on our website. If you’re ready to take the plunge and talk with us, schedule a free consultation by clicking below.