Home Builder Selection

• Without a quality home builder, you face a long building process that will likely include frustration and problems. Take your time to select your home builder to ensure his experience is up to par and his philosophy on home building matches your priorities. For example, if you are passionate about a green, energy-efficient home, look for a builder with experience in green homes. Tour homes on the market by the prospective builders so you are able to see their work firsthand.
  
  

Budget Overages

• Going over budget happens frequently when building a new home. Causes of going over budget include choosing design elements you can't afford, making changes once the project starts and unexpected problems that cost more money to correct. Ranking your wish list for your new home helps stay on track with spending. Solidify your building plans before construction begins so you don't have to make changes later at the cost of the budget. Competent builders, architects and general contractors are able to better anticipate potential problems so you aren't surprised with budget-busting problems down the road. Reserve at least 10 percent of your total budget as your buffer for those unexpected expenses.
  
  

Space Vs. Details

• When building a new home, you might find yourself wanting all of the high-end details that raise the cost of the project. If you plan to stay in this home indefinitely, consider how much space you really need now and going forward. For example, if you plan to have children, you'll want to accommodate that plan with a larger home. To get the larger space, you may have to cut back on some of the expensive details. Updating the finishing work inside in the future is more affordable than adding on to the house to get more space down the road.
  
  

Involvement

• Even if you hire a general contractor for the job, you should take an active role in the building process. Stay current on what is happening on the construction site. Check on the timeline of the building process to keep the contractor and subcontractors accountable. You are also able to inspect the quality of work being done at the job site during each phase of the project.