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.

New build

Feasibility

  • House cost estimate: Estimate the construction cost before you commit.
  • Plot and zoning rules: Check the setbacks, coverage and floor area your plot allows.
  • Choose your team: List the professionals you need and what they charge.

Design

  • 2D floor plan: Draw the floor plan room by room.
  • 3D model: See the house in 3D from the plan.
  • Renders and interior design: Renders and interior design to decide on finishes.
  • Drawing set and quantities: Drawing set and bill of quantities for quotes and the permit.

Permits

  • Permit documents: Gather the documents the authority asks for.
  • Consultant approval rounds: Get the consultants' approvals.
  • Permit approved: Receive the building permit.

Build & handover

  • Contractor quotes: Compare at least three written quotes.
  • Schedule and payment stages: Agree the timeline and the stage payments.
  • Snag list: Inspect every room and list defects before handover.
  • Move-in checklist: Final payment, documents and keys.

Renovation

Feasibility

  • House cost estimate: Estimate the construction cost before you commit.
  • Survey the existing home: Measure and document the existing home.
  • Choose your team: List the professionals you need and what they charge.

Design

  • Plan of the existing home: Draw the plan of the home as it is now.
  • Proposed changes: Mark what you remove and what you build.
  • Renders and interior design: Renders and interior design to decide on finishes.

Permits

  • Check whether you need a permit: Check which works need a permit.
  • Permit documents: Gather the documents the authority asks for.
  • Permit approved: Receive the building permit.

Build & handover

  • Contractor quotes: Compare at least three written quotes.
  • Schedule and payment stages: Agree the timeline and the stage payments.
  • Snag list: Inspect every room and list defects before handover.
  • Move-in checklist: Final payment, documents and keys.

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.

Next step

A planning guide; local rules and permits differ.