Planning Your Project

• Find a building lot. Before purchasing, have an architect consult regarding zoning and the suitability of the lot for the type of house you contemplate.
• Prior to purchase, have engineer consult regarding septic design (if the seller has not already done so).
• Begin creating your design program describing how you would like your new house to be organized and what features it should contain.
• Hire an architect to help you develop your program, and do schematic design. Begin interviewing contractors, get ballpark estimates based on schematic design.
• While the architect completes design development, create a short list (not more than three) of contractors you would like to consider working with.
• Decide whether you want to get competitive bids, or do the project cost-plus.
• The architect completes the construction documents, project is either put out to bid (competitive bidding) or awarded to a selected contractor (on a cost-plus or fixed price basis).
• Contractor secures building permits, construction begins.

Getting started - step by step guide: For renovation

• Analyze the limitations of the existing house, create a wishlist of features you would like the renovation to include. Consider whether it makes sense to move to a different house that already contains those features.
• If you want to stay at your existing house, hire an architect to help you figure out your program, and do schematic design.
• Begin interviewing contractors, get ballpark estimates based on schematic design.
• While the architect completes design development, create a short list (not more than three) of contractors you would like to consider working with.
• Decide whether you want to get competitive bids, or do the project cost-plus.
• Investigate rental properties, if the renovation will require you to move out for some period of time.
• The architect completes the construction documents, project is either put out to bid (competitive bidding) or awarded to a selected contractor (on a cost-plus or fixed price basis).
• Contractor secures building permits, construction begins.