When preparing to build your dream home, you want to get everything right the first time. Long before laying the foundation, there are many steps, like getting a site survey, that you need to take to ensure a successful and high-quality construction project. Here are a few items to add to your checklist after you've purchased a property to build on.

What to Do Before Building a House 

1. Check Zoning Permits

Local building regulations affect features such as the height of the house and how far back from the property line it needs to be set. Check your zone and see what the construction requirements are. There may be both state and city or county regulations that affect any decisions.

2. Set a Clear Budget

Construction costs can mount quickly either due to changes in the plan or factors you forgot in the initial planning. Be as thorough as possible when budgeting for excavation, plumbing, electrical work, construction, materials, and the specific design features you want to include. Decide on a hard upper limit for the project's total cost and refer to it whenever considering a change to the building plan.

3. Get a Site Survey

You likely spoke with a surveying engineer before buying the property to make sure you knew exactly where the boundaries were. Now you'll want a more in-depth examination of the property, including topographical features, soil types, structures on the land, and any buried utilities. This will help you plan the size, shape, and position of the home on the lot.

4. Hire a Contractor

Choose a contractor who has experience with similar projects. Ask to see their portfolio and look for design features and aesthetic choices that are reminiscent of what you have in mind. Also, read the contractor's reviews online to see what kinds of experiences previous clients had with them. While one review can be biased, several similar reviews are likely to be accurate.

5. Plan the Design

The contractor may offer assistance planning, or they may give you access to existing home plans that fit your needs. Based on the site survey and the zoning regulations, you'll need to plan the footprint of the house, arrange rooms, and add features like faucets, outlets, and light fixtures. At this stage, you'll also decide on flooring materials, door sizes and directions, ceiling height, window placement, and all the other small details that make up a home.

If you need a site survey before purchasing a property or starting construction, choose K & M Land Surveying. Based in Lincoln, NE, and serving Lancaster County for 25 years, they offer competitive pricing on computer-aided drafting, topographical surveys, construction staking, and other surveying options. To speak to a professional, call (402) 476-3020 or send a message online.