Most homes are a series of compromises because of the building site, limited resources, time constraints and many other reasons.  It is
difficult to remember all the things that need to be considered in the creation of your Dream Home.  The following items are offered as a
checklist of some of the more important issues that need to be addressed before and during the design phase.
BUILDING SITE

  • Have elevations been established?  Which direction is the
    view?  
  • Are there any zoning restrictions?  What are the legal set-back
    requirements?  
  • Is a perk test required?  How will water run off?  
  • How will the sunlight fall, both winter and summer?  
  • Will there be any natural shade?  
  • What is the normal approach path to the site?  
  • Is there an existing driveway, if not how will it be routed?  
  • Is there adequate space for turning and backing?  
  • Is the property sloped?  What type of soil, is it easy to dig?  
  • Are there large rocks and trees to contend with?  
  • Are power, water, phone, sewer, cable and natural gas
    available?  
  • Where are the utilities located?  Above ground or buried?
  • What type of excavation will be required (slab, basement or
    raised foundation)?  
  • Will there be any other buildings to be considered?  
  • Will there be any other outside construction areas, i.e., tennis
    court, pools, volleyball, etc.?
GENERAL STRUCTURE
  • How much square footage do you need?  How many floors?  
  • How many bedrooms & bathrooms?  
  • Any special rooms; office, library, media room, security room, sun room,
    wine storage, laundry room, hobby room, pantry, mud room, storage, etc.?  
  • What type of foundation and/or basement?  
  • Are there any special code requirements in your area for plumbing,
    HVAC,  electrical, water, sewer, building hold-downs, etc.?  
  • What type of construction style; post & beam, truss, stick-built, log, timber
    frame?
  • What features do you want;  cathedral ceilings, balcony, decks, wall
    thickness, roof pitch, gutters & downspout's, etc.?  
  • What type and style of windows, how many?  
  • What type of roof;  Class A fiberglass, tile, metal, slate, etc.?  
  • What kind of outside finish; cedar siding, redwood, wood sheath panel, lap
    siding, aluminum,  Hardi-Plank?  
  • Insulation requirements for ceiling, walls and floors?  
  • Type of heating- F/A furnace (gas or LPG), wood or pellet stove, electrical
    panel, fireplace, radiant, etc.?  
  • Plumbing needs-  sewer hookup, septic tank, drain field, toilets, tubs/spas,
    showers, sinks, faucet and fixture styles, etc.?  
  • What type of doors- solid, hollow core, swinging, folding, French, pocket,
    sliding?
planning considerations
FLOOR PLAN

  • What type of lifestyle do you anticipate? Lots of entertaining?  
    House guests?
  • Do you need "Mother-In-Law" quarters, how many children
    and/or occupants?
  • Where will you spend the majority of your time in the house?
  • What type of room association will maximize your investment?
  • What is the normal traffic flow?
  • What are the eating arrangements, kitchen, nook, dining room?
  • Living/Family rooms together, what kind of special furniture?
  • Master bedroom- how private, first floor, how much time will you
    spend in it outside of sleeping?
  • How large a bath with what facilities (tubs, showers, sinks,
    toilets, bidets, urinals, etc.?
  • How many closets and what size?
  • Other bedrooms- how many, with baths, what floor?
  • Where do you want the special rooms - office, den, media rm,
    etc.?  Where do you want to keep your valuables, luggage,
    coats, broom, etc.?
  • Laundry facilities- separate, near garage, basement, kitchen?
  • On Multi-Floor plans, where should the stairs be located?
  • Where should the garage be located?
  • What is the plan for an entry, formal, back, side?
  • Porches and decks- access, size, covered, etc.?
  • What special features- central vacuum system, balcony, open
    space between floors, special windows, elevator/dumbwaiter,
    kitchen venting system, disability provisions (baths, halls, entry,
    etc.), security systems, special wiring for telecommunications,
    video-intercomm, etc.?
FINANCES & BUDGETS

  • Property costs, include annual taxes, sewer fees, maintenance,
    association fees?
  • Site preparation - Very much dependant on the site and type of
    structure, plus the amount of tree/rock removal required.  Allow $5,000
    as a minimum.
  • Foundation - Standard raised foundation for 2000 sq ft home, plan
    $15,000, add $20,000 for walk-out basement.
  • Home construction - $16 to $22 per sq ft for a Linwood trained crew to
    erect a materials package to a lockable, weather-tight shell.  For a
    typical 2000 sq ft home, plan $32,000 minimum.
  • Finishing Stage - This portion of the construction can vary more than any
    other stage of the construction process, due to the differences in quality
    of materials required and installation costs.  The major issues are;
    plumbing, electrical, HVAC (heat, vent, air conditioning), insulation,
    drywall, counters & cabinets, floor covering, finish carpentry and
    painting.   Some of these tasks can be sub-contracted for as little as
    $3,500 while others, with upgraded material, can be as much as
    $35,000+.  Landscaping, special outside lighting, driveways and
    walkways, and other special work would be extra.