The mother of all projects is building your own home. As with any project of this magnitude, there are many things that must be considered, reviewed, and coordinated.

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The day-to-day aspects of the project can sometimes feel overwhelming, however, there are few things more beautiful than moving into your home that you built. To help you with the process, here are a few things that you need to consider:

Your Design

There are two main ways for getting the design for your home. You could either hire an architect or you could purchase a pre-designed house plan. You should hire an architect if you desire a home that is unique to anything else, or if your site has unusual constraints. If not, then a pre-designed plan may work for you. The design of your home is very personal and a decision should not be rushed. Take time to listen to your gut as you make your choice of design whether you go with an architect or otherwise.

Laws and Codes

Your home will have to meet the requirements of the international residential code. This code is issued in three year cycles. It is recommended to build to the most current version whether or not your local jurisdiction is up-to-date. It is important to understand that the code is only a minimum standard, so it would be wise to significantly exceed it, especially when it comes to the energy code because its standards are increasing the fastest. Doing this will ensure that your home is compliant now, and when it's time to sell, it will still be compliant.

Before you start your project, find out the code and zoning requirements for your property from your local building department. In addition, become familiar with the people in the department. This will make obtaining your permits smoother.

Financing Your Construction

Obtaining home loans to build homes is different and more complex than traditional mortgages. Because of this, you will want to partner with a lender that knows the building process from the ground up. Contact a mortgage company to learn more about construction loans.

Have a Good Team

Your team is the most important part of your home building process. Your team will include your contractors, designers, engineers, and lender. Make sure you choose honest, qualified, and experienced people who you are comfortable with.

Building your new home is a very exciting experience, however, it can be nightmare if you don't carefully consider certain things such as your design, building codes, and financing. There are a number of decisions that must be made, so make sure you have a good team in place and a solid foundation with your partner.