Here are a few questions that I think are important before any building process is started. You should be able to answer all of them and understand all of them before you are ready to build

* What is a good design for our needs?
* What is a building code? Does it effect us? How does it work? What doesn’t it do?
* Who is responsible, overall, for my building project?
* What are good sizes and proportions for rooms? What style do I want?
* What am I really getting from the builder?
* What problems do I have in my current house that I don’t want to repeat?
* Where can I find answers and help? How do I make my desires known?
* What does that line on the drawing mean?
* What is a dispute; a lien?
* What are specifications? Does the builder write and provide them?
* What if my builder does something in a way I don’t like? Is the house going to be complete; will something be left out?
* When will the house be finished?
* What is a contract? How do I play a part in it? What does it say?
* What is “an extra”?
* Is that a good material, I’ve never heard of it?
* Can I change things?
* Who picks the color of the paint, wall coverings, etc.?
* Is landscaping included? Sod? Seed? mud and rocks? Slopes? Are landscape features guaranteed?
* What if I disagree with the builder? Can I stop the work?
* Am I allowed on the job site? Can I inspect the work as it goes up? Can I bring someone with me?
* I really want this ________________in the house — how do I get exactly that?
* I can buy the light fixtures from my brother– but who will hang them? What do I do?
* Should I close on the mortgage and pay the builder in full? I have several items that I don’t like – must I still close?
* Why do we have to make all these trips to pick things out?

You should not have any questions unanswered between you and your builder before the contracts are signed and work begins.

Location is one of the most important considerations when shopping for a new home or looking for a place to build. Weigh the pros and cons of living in the city, the suburbs or the country. Compare locations as carefully as you compare houses and home sites.

Consider practical aspects such as time and distance to work, schools and shopping, and the availability of public transportation. Make personal observations, but also consult with your builder, local government, friends, and if possible, people in the neighborhood.  As you explore each home, use the following checklist to help determine whether the location suits your needs.

Shopping. Are adequate shopping facilities nearby?

Police and fire protection. Are police and fire protection adequate?

Medical facilities. Is there a hospital or medical center nearby?

Schools and day-care. Are schools in a convenient location?  Are convenient day-care facilities available?

Traffic. Are the streets quiet enough?   Does the speed limit on the streets suit you?  If you have children, will they be safe from traffic hazards?

Parking. Are parking and garage facilities adequate?

Transportation. Is public transportation frequent and convenient?

Trash and garbage collection. Are trash and garbage collection adequate?

Recreation. Are there suitable parks and recreational facilities nearby?

Places of worship. Are places of worship available and convenient?

Privacy. Do the lot and house offer adequate privacy?

Water. Does the community have a reliable source of drinking water with adequate capacity to meet present and future needs?

Sanitation facilities. Is the sewer system or septic tank adequate and reliable?  Does it meet present and anticipated future needs?

Landscaping. Is the land well-drained?   Has proper landscaping been done to prevent erosion?  Is the landscaping attractive and likely to enhance the value of the home?

Taxes. Are the property tax rates reasonable?   Is either the tax rate or the value of the house likely to change enough to cause a substantial increase in your tax payment?

Assessments. Are there special assessments   that will force you to pay added monthly charges for a specified number of years?

Nuisances. Are there nearby sources of noise, smoke, soot, dust, odors or other hazards that will affect the housing environment?
Are any development plans under consideration that could substantially change the nature of the community?

Flooding. Is flooding a potential problem?