For a growing number of homeowners, the idea of building their dream home from scratch – as opposed to renovating an older one – is becoming increasingly appealing. 

Yes, building new can be a long and bumpy journey, but it becomes a lot less murky and intimidating when you know, ahead of time, what goes into it. 

As architects, a big part of our process is ensuring our clients are well prepared for the various steps ahead. When you’re familiar with each individual step, it’s easier to envision yourself navigating the journey ahead, granting you some much-needed peace of mind as you go along.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the primary phases to building a new home, because after all – that’s why you’re reading this far, right?

Phase 1: Feasibility and Inspection

Before you start building your home, it’s imperative to first ensure the site you’ve chosen is safe and can support your home’s structure. This usually begins with an inspection from a land surveyor to see if anything about the site needs to be modified (we’re talking from simple things like tree removal to foundation leveling and even checking the soil for toxins). Next, another inspector will make sure there won’t be any issues with giving your house access to public water systems, or that your house won’t disrupt the local sewer and drainage systems. 

This is known as the feasibility phase. All the surveys and data gathered during this phase will play a key role in your home’s build process. 

Phase 2: Schematic Design

Once the site has been approved by inspectors, it’s time to move on to the design phase. While any architect can design a space without your input, at DDG, we’re not about that lifestyle (literally). We work with you to create a space that captures your lifestyle and personality. How do you use your living space now? What hiccups are you bumping into in your daily life? Who is going to live in the space and how will they interact with it in the next five, ten or twenty years? Yes, good design plans for the future. Are your kids toddlers? They won’t be forever. Are you in your 50s? Best to start considering ADA compatibility now so you don’t have to redesign your shower lips a few years from now. 

While our goal is to understand how you use different spaces, what you’d like to use more, and what you’d like to change about these spaces we also want to ensure your home will grow with you. So, yes, we will start with the fundamental questions: do you want more natural light in your bedroom? More storage space in your kitchen? Easier access to your backyard? But we will also ask how you plan to age within the space, do you have hurricane safety plans in place, would you consider a generator or solar? This information allows us to design a home that speaks directly to your needs and simplifies your daily routine and big picture recurring needs.  

Phase 3: Design Development

Now it’s time to get into the details of your design. This is the fun part, gang. We’re talking paint colors, lighting, appliances, fixtures, and all the materials for your design finishes. That includes cabinetry, countertops, hardware and flooring. The lingo we lean towards here is this is the interiors phase. The part where you get to sit with your interior design team and start planning how the insides (the guts of your home, if you will) will look. 

Now, selecting materials that speak to you can take time, so we recommend to prep for this phase with some initial research into styles you like, textures and even products. Look for inspiration and start saving images of homes or spaces you are drawn too. Odds are, even if you can’t initially see a pattern, it’s there and our design team can help you identify it and bring it to life.  

As for the architectural side of things, this stage is also when we’ll finalize plans for installation of major systems: electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. 

Phase 4: Construction Documents

Once your design is finalized, it’s time to move on to what can be the most arduous and painstaking phase of building a home: the permitting process. Fortunately, there’s not much effort required on your part. Phew. Just a lot of waiting. Meanwhile, your architectural team will submit construction documents and work with your municipality to ensure your design is approved and ready to be put into action. 

It is common for municipalities to have questions and revisions. That’s why it’s important to work with an experienced architect who is well-versed in the local municipalities who are ready for this back-and-forth exchange and will respond promptly to ensure your project continues forward. The duration of this stage is dependent on a number of variables including the municipality itself, as different cities can have vastly different building requirements. 

Phase 5 (Bonus Phase): Site Observation and Advocacy

With your permits finally in hand, it’s time to build your house. At this point, most architects will pass the baton to your general contractor, assuming their work is done. 

But what happens when the general contractor has questions, and wants to use different products than you selected or tries to solve an architectural pickle on their own? Issues during the build phase are inevitable, which is why we, at Debowsky Design Group, like to hold on to the baton a little longer and stay right by your side as a construction administrator. This way, we can resolve any issues your general contractor has immediately – rather than delaying the project – and ensure the finished product doesn’t stray from your original vision. 

Minimize Stress with an Experienced Team

Building a new home is undoubtedly challenging, but if you work with the right team, you’ll go into the project with realistic expectations and will be adequately prepared for any obstacles lying ahead. 

At Debowsky Design Group, we work day-in and day-out to minimize delays and get your project underway as quickly as possible. The hard truth is there will be bumps in the road, and there will be moments where you may even want to throw in the towel, but we’ll be right there to remind you that the joy of living in a home that’s perfectly suited to your lifestyle is worth every minute of this journey.  

So, if you’re ready to build the home of your dreams, give us a call and let’s start this next chapter of your life.