We have, or intend to purchase, a lot and build a custom home. What are the first few steps we need to be considering?
The first and most important step is to establish a reasonable project budget. In developing your budget you will need to know something about the cost of the surrounding homes and the local cost of construction, and consider the style, size, and configuration of the home you want to build. These considerations are tied to the prevailing home styles in the neighborhood, and the size and shape of the building lot. Once a budget has been set and the style, size and configuration have been selected, the next step is to begin the design process. An architect or designer can bring your unique wants and needs together with the specified parameters, while also insuring that your home is designed in accordance with the local codes and conditions. Another important step in the design process, especially in coastal North Carolina, is the inclusion of a structural engineer on the design team to analyze the configuration of the home and determine the proper structural components necessary to withs
