When you were a kid, did you play with Lincoln Logs or LEGO blocks? These childhood toys made it seem so easy to construct a home in no time! As an adult, it’s still just as much fun to build your dream home, but the assembly takes a little more planning. So if you want to build a house, your first step is to understand what goes into the process. Review the steps below to get started!
Step 1: Ask yourself how long you intend to stay in this future home.
If the answer is fewer than 7 years, you might want to consider building a semi-custom home instead. While the home-building process is gratifying, it can also feel like a full-time job. And if you’re only planning on living in this house for a few years, a pre-built or semi-custom home might be a better choice since it takes less time to build but still offers opportunities for customization.
Step 2: Make a budget.
Do you know how much you can afford for your dream home? Hint: Check out Trilogy’s handy Mortgage Calculator if you’re unsure! Knowing what you can spend will help you understand what kind of home to build.
Step 3: Review your goals and priorities.
Make a list of your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and favorite styles and colors. If you’ve got a growing family or VIPs (Very Important Pets), consider the layout of your home carefully to accommodate everyone in your household—present and future.
Step 4: Clarify your vision.
Time to dust off those Pinterest boards! Get inspired by home trends on Houzz and other sites, then pin those ideas to show your builder. Dream boards, scrapbooks, and even napkin sketches can help bring your vision to life.
Step 5: Finalize your floor plans.
It’s time to put your vision on paper! You’ll meet with an architect to draw up a set of plans for your new home design. You can also choose from pre-approved floorplans if you want to save time and money.
Step 6: Get your permits.
You and your builder will need to work with various local departments to get permits such as septic, grading, etc. before you begin building. [Bonus: If you work with Trilogy, we’ll do it for you! We submit your plans to the building and on-site departments and any other applicable regulatory authorities, then pick them up and pay for them when they’re ready.]
Step 7: Figure out your timeline.
How soon do you want or need to step into your new home? Once you’ve got your plans and permits, you’ll be able to make an accurate construction timeline. Generally, it takes between five to eight months.
Step 8: Finalize your selections.
Now for the fun part! It’s time to choose your finishes, like paint, hardware, etc. Got design decision fatigue? Trilogy loves helping our clients with that, too! If you’re building with us, we’re happy to guide you and give advice on how to find the best matches for your new home.
If you’re ready to begin your home-building journey, Trilogy can help. We’ve got over five decades of experience in our family business and love sharing our tips on how to build a house with our clients. We offer custom and semi-custom plans to suit a wide variety of styles and budgets.
Come meet our team! Whether you prefer a Zoom meeting or an in-house visit, we’re here to help make your home-building dreams a reality. Contact Trilogy today to find out how.
