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1, we show you a list of all the actions and people involved in the custom-home process. The actual time frame for this process can vary based upon the size and scope of the project, as well as the city or town where you’re building.

      

In order to make the planning process go as smoothly as possible, talk to a couple of architects and contractors early to get a sense of how long everything normally takes in your area. Write down each step and the expected time frame. Now fold up that piece of paper and stick it in your file. This piece of paper is a guideline for you to refer to now and again only as a reference. You can fully expect for some tasks to take longer than you estimated.

      

A house is built to last decades. You don’t want to rush a complex process, such as design or construction, to the point where corners are being cut. An extra month or so may cause inconvenience and may even cost a little money, but in the end you’ll have a better-constructed home, and you’ll have forgotten about that delay after you’ve lived in the house for a year or two. That being said, you definitely need to monitor the schedule and time frames. Pay special attention to deadlines associated with the building department and your lender. But use your best judgment and apply pressure only when it’s necessary. Your project is a working environment filled with plenty of stress. Overreaction and constant pressure on the workers can make them less likely to help your project move along smoothly.

      Making hard choices: What you can (and can’t) afford

Most custom-home projects go over their original budget — some more than others. You really have no way of knowing how much your project will cost until it’s actually finished. Until then, you have to constantly make choices to adjust your budget’s expenses. Take a breather when making these decisions. Think about whether that gold-plated faucet really makes an important difference in your lifestyle. Sleep on it for a night or two. Find creative ways to make the home something you’ll enjoy while spending less money. (We share some of our favorite ideas for saving dough in Chapter 19.)

      

Give yourself a break. Design a house that doesn’t stretch you to your limits. That way if you’re coming in on budget, you can choose to upgrade and splurge here and there without worry. (See Chapter 5 for more tips on saving money when designing your house.)

      Having patience: Not everything must be perfect right away

      Many craftspeople and artisans participate in the building of your custom home. If you’ve carefully hired everyone, you need to put your trust in these skilled workers. Many processes are multistage. Unfortunately, some people will make mistakes or leave some items partially finished. Don’t panic — this process is normal. Your contractor and the subs can fix or replace most everything during the building process, and your contractor and subs will double-check their work as they go.

      

We give you spot-checks in the chapters in Part 4 of this book. Use them as a guide to check on everything along the way. Write down any concerns and problems you see. Instead of pointing out everything every time you have a concern, talk with your contractor and set up a meeting with the appropriate sub to share your findings. Doing so allows the subs to do their job with a minimum amount of pressure. You may find they had already scheduled the repair.

      Making the process fun

      You’re sure to have your share of frustrations and problems before your custom home is finished. Managing your patience and your temper is difficult when so many things are beyond your control and so much is at stake. To help you enjoy the lighter side of the process when everything is looking a little dim, here’s our top-ten list of ways to make your process extra fun:

       Enjoy a mud football game before the foundation goes in.

       Throw a block party at every completed stage.

       Have an office gambling pool on completion dates.

       Make matching T-shirts for all the workers on the project.KEEPING AN EYE ON EVERYTHING: CAMERAS ON THE PROPERTYIf you absolutely need to know what’s happening with the property 24 hours a day, you may consider installing webcams on sight. Your builder may even offer this service. Websites such as X10 (www.x10.com/cameras.html) sell cameras and software that allow you to watch the action at your build site from any Internet-connected device. You can expect to pay up to a couple hundred dollars for all the equipment and software you need to watch your project 24 hours a day. You may find it isn’t much different than watching paint dry, but what’s a little boredom where peace of mind is concerned?But beware of installing a camera without talking to your builder first. Make sure they’re comfortable with the idea that they’re being watched all day or being micromanaged. Nobody likes to feel spied upon. And remember, your contractor can always send you a quick picture via text or email.

       Create art pieces with scrap lumber and supplies.

       Compile a construction hunk calendar.

       Give out a worker-of-the-month trophy.

       Put your family’s handprints in the cement.

       During framing, fly paper airplanes off the second story.

       Make a photo album or scrapbook documenting the entire process.

Chapter 3

      The Land Grab: Selecting the Perfect Site

      IN THIS CHAPTER

       Figuring out what a lot is

       Making sure the property will work for you

       Searching for (and finding) a lot

       Estimating what a property is worth

       Understanding teardown properties

       Purchasing the land

      You can’t have a house unless you have somewhere to put it. Unlike the pioneers of old, however, people today can’t just walk up and squat on whatever piece of land that catches their eye. If you’re interested in some land, you have to research, explore, negotiate for, and ultimately purchase a parcel that you can call home.

      In this chapter, we walk you through the entire process of searching for and finding the perfect site. We provide you with the very best evaluation tips and even discuss buying a house in poor condition that you can tear down and rebuild. Finally, we consider financing options. You have to pay for that dream property, after all!

Knowing the Difference between Land and a Lot

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