1. Remember that you get what you pay for - be sure to hire a qualified Designer, not the least expensive one.

2. Do not expect to save money by hiring non-professionals.

3. Execute a contract of letter of agreement detailing fees, schedules, budgets, and tasks, and monitor the process outlined in the agreement every step of the way.

4. Take time to plan for your project - and allow your Designer and Contractor the time needed to properly design and build. A rushed project will undoubtedly lead to additional difficulties and expenses.

5. Do not allow your Designer or Builder to rush you to decisions (about detailing, materials, etc.). Timely choices are essential to an efficient project but wise choices require education.

6. Make all design decisions BEFORE completion of drawings. Once construction begins - it gets very expensive to make changes; it is far easier to erase a line than to remove a wall!

7. Resist revisiting decisions once you make them. Every decision affects work done after it; changes can be costly.

8. Carefully conduct necessary surveys, title searches, property limitations (ie: covenants, setbacks and zoning requirements) and similar research prior to initiating the design process.

9. It is unwise to try to fit your needs into a beloved design. Instead, allow a design to grow from a thorough understanding of your needs.

10. When designing a custom home, floor plans and home details often times vary greatly from the original plan you imagined. Your Designers / Engineers extensive knowledge of construction and the process of interaction between the Designer and Client will likely result in plan that better meets your needs even though it may have changed from the original design.

11. Ask many questions until you get the answers you need in language you can understand.

12. Monitor the design process and ask question about anything you don't understand.

13. Do not substitute "bargain" materials for good materials.

14. Allow budget contingencies for both design and construction.

15. Observe construction so you will be more likely to catch errors early.

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