Where to begin the custom-home building process?

Question

Can someone point me to a good consumer-oriented website or offer advice on the steps toward getting a custom home built? My wife and I have a couple lots in mind, we're narrowing down a list of floor plans. We could use some guidance as far what tasks — and in what order — we should be planning for.

Answer 1

the process is going to be different for different areas.   i would recommend going to amazon.com and buying a few books on how to be your own general contractor, and how to build your own home. (i have i think is called "building your own home on a shoe string")  some go into more detail than others.  but read a few and get aquainted with some of the terms and such.  they will also go through the steps.

but here are the basic steps.

1) find /buy land.  make sure it meets all of your requirements, and the local requirements for building.  consider a perk test, septic planning, access roads, frontage, any minimum size requirements.

2) site planning.  where is the septic located (or are you on town sewer and water). where is the house going, where is the well going (if not on town water) where is the electric going to come in from. and which way will the house be oriented (stake out the corners)

3) excavation and foundation (this will go off the plans that you have decided on)  (be prepared for the unexpected, who knows what they will find when they dig)

4) framing

5) skinning (roof and exterior walls and maybe siding, windows)  inside is now protected from the elements)

6) electric, plumbing, hvac

7) insulating

8) interior walls, floors, ceilings

9) appliances, painting, finish electrical and plubing fixtures.

10) final walkthrough, cleanup, touchup.

those are the basics