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.