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House Building Checklist: Every Step From Budget to Keys
Building a house goes through four stages: feasibility, design, permits, then construction and handover. This checklist lists every step from the first budget to the keys, with a free tool for each one. Tick steps off: they are saved in your own house project, or on this device.
0 of 14 steps done
Your ticks are kept on this device. Start a project to keep them in your account, visible only to you.
Feasibility0 of 3 done
House cost estimateYou are here
Estimate the construction cost before you commit.
Open: Build cost calculatorPlot and zoning rules
Check the setbacks, coverage and floor area your plot allows.
Open: Buildable area calculator
Design0 of 4 done
Drawing set and quantities
Drawing set and bill of quantities for quotes and the permit.
Permits0 of 3 done
Permit documents
Gather the documents the authority asks for.
Consultant approval rounds
Get the consultants' approvals.
Permit approved
Receive the building permit.
Build & handover0 of 4 done
Schedule and payment stages
Agree the timeline and the stage payments.
Open: Build timeline & payments
Questions about building a house
What are the steps to build a house?
Feasibility (budget, plot and team), design (floor plan, 3D model, renders and drawings), permits (documents, approvals and the permit) and construction (quotes, schedule and payments, snag list and move-in).
What should I do first when building a house?
Set a realistic budget and check what your plot allows before you hire an architect: both decide the size of the house.
Is the checklist different for a renovation?
Yes. Switch to renovation: it starts with the renovation budget and a survey of the existing home, and checks whether you need a permit.
A planning guide; local rules and permits differ.