
HOW TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME
WHAT TO DO AFTER FINDING THE PERFECT HOUSE PLAN
Congratulations on choosing your house plans! Building your own home is an exciting and fulfilling journey, but there are a few important steps you’ll need to follow to ensure everything goes smoothly. This guide, provided by WigWam Home Plans Company, will walk you through the key actions to take after selecting your house plan.
Step 1: Find the Right Builder
Choosing the right builder is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The builder will be responsible for turning your dream home into a reality, so it’s essential to pick someone qualified and reliable.
Start by asking for recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have built homes. You can also search online or check with local home builders' associations for potential builders.
Once you have a list of candidates, narrow it down by considering:
- Experience: Look for builders who have experience with homes similar to what you want in size, style, and complexity.
- Reputation: Check online reviews and testimonials from previous clients to see how others have rated their work.
- Licenses and Insurance: Make sure the builder is licensed in your state and has the proper insurance for protection.
- Communication Skills: Since you'll be working closely with your builder, choose someone who communicates well and responds quickly to your questions.
After narrowing down your options, interview the top candidates in person. Discuss your project, ask for references, and visit homes they've built to assess the quality of their work.
Step 2: Review Your Building Site
Once you’ve chosen your builder, the next step is to review the site where your home will be built. This involves analyzing the location and features of your lot to determine the best placement for your house.
Consider the following during your site review:
- Orientation: Think about which direction your home will face, as this can affect natural light and energy efficiency.
- Topography: Look at the slope and layout of the land to decide the best spot for your foundation and access to utilities.
- Utilities: Check where water, gas, electricity, and sewer/septic systems are located so they can be integrated into your plans.
- Zoning Regulations: Make sure your plans comply with local zoning laws, such as setbacks and other building requirements.
- Environmental Factors: If your site has wetlands or protected areas, you may need to consult specialists to reduce the environmental impact.
With the help of your builder and a surveyor or engineer, a detailed site plan will be created showing the home’s position, driveways, and any additional features like septic systems or wells.
Step 3: Engineering and Structural Design
After the site review, an engineer will need to look over your house plans to make sure they meet local building codes and structural requirements. The engineer will also design essential elements like the foundation, footings, and beams.
During this phase, you’ll also need to choose your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), plumbing, and electrical systems. These systems must be designed to fit your house and meet local codes. Your engineer will help you select systems that work well with your home and budget.
Step 4: Get the Required Permits
Before construction can begin, you’ll need to obtain the necessary permits. The exact permits will depend on your location but usually include a building permit, plumbing permit, and electrical permit. Additional permits may be required for wells, septic systems, or other features.
Getting permits can be a complex process, so it’s important to get it right. Your builder and engineer can guide you through this step to ensure everything is approved before you start building.
Step 5: Start Construction
Now that you have your builder, site plan, engineering approvals, and permits in place, it’s time to start construction! Your builder will begin by preparing the site and laying the foundation. Then, they’ll work through each phase—framing, installing electrical and plumbing systems, and completing finishing touches like painting and flooring.
Throughout construction, maintain good communication with your builder. Regular site visits and progress updates will help ensure your home is built as planned and any issues are quickly resolved.
Good luck with your project, and enjoy the exciting process of building your dream home!