How to Have Your Home Custom Built

By eHow Personal Finance Editor

Having your own custom-designed home built is not an insurmountable task, and the rewards of having a house constructed to meet your family’s exact needs are numerous.

Things You’ll Need:
• Calculators
• Personal Organizers

Step 1 Design or locate a house plan you like, either working with an architect or through a service providing existing plans.

Step 2 Locate a building site you like.

Step 3 Check out the site thoroughly to ensure that you can build without difficulty.

Step 4 Find an experienced builder.

Step 5 Execute a contract with the builder to construct the house (after you’ve agreed on the price for the services).

Step 6 Arrange construction financing with your bank if required.

Step 7 Obtain a building permit from the municipality, usually by submitting several copies of the house plan with an application and fee.

Step 8 Have your builder begin construction.

Step 9 Make all your selections (tile, flooring, cabinets and so on) in a timely manner and far enough in advance to allow for items that need to be ordered.

Step 10 Review the house carefully with the builder upon completion, making a list of any items needing repair or further work.

Step 11 Move in after a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued by the building department.

Step 12 Update the repair and completion list (“punch list”) after 30 days in the house, removing work completed and adding new problems you’ve discovered.