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When embarking on a custom homebuilding project, careful planning is essential to ensure that your plans are properly executed. Many important details can slip through the cracks when there are gaps in your plans. Like planning a wedding, organizing a construction project requires attention to detail. 

There are timelines to consider to help steer through all the major decisions. Your first objective is to determine the scope of your new construction project. Put together a wish list and your projected budget. This exercise will enable you to seek out house plans that will fall within your guidelines.

Most new construction can take anywhere from six months to a year or more to wrap up, but the planning starts well before the building phase begins. Once framing begins, the process will progress quickly. Advance decisions will prevent subcontractors from waiting on a homeowner to make selections and help avoid changes once work is in progress.

Below is a rough timeline to help you stay on track during construction:

■ Eight to 12 months before construction begins:
    • Decide on the style of house you would like.
    • Begin the process of selecting your architect, builder, interior designer and landscape designer. It is very important to select individuals who can interpret your ideas and turn them into reality, but who also value your input and keep you on track.

■ Six to eight months before construction begins:
    • Finalize your architectural floor plans and elevations.
    • Finalize your budget.
    • Do your homework on specialty items that you are considering.

■ Four to six months before construction begins:
Avoid costly construction delays by making sure that you, your builder and interior designer are in agreement and have reviewed your design goals in detail. Contractors should understand what your goals are from an interior and exterior design viewpoint.

Teamwork is essential and all your key people need to communicate and feel comfortable working together.

    • Your builder should submit plans to the city for permits. Your designs may need to be revised and resubmitted, so plan for that.
    • Pick out exterior items and make color and style selections for trim, siding, windows, doors and roofing materials. Some items, such as windows and specialty trim/siding, need to be ordered at the same time construction begins.
    • Prepare preliminary furniture layouts. Note that this is a crucial step that frequently gets overlooked. When you are building a custom home, make sure you include elements that make your home special and uniquely yours. Be sure you can fit all the furniture you want in each space so that it works from a functional standpoint, but also aesthetically. If you want a 50-inch TV above the fireplace, for example, make sure you have a furniture layout that will enable you to watch the TV without sun glare. Keep in mind that it costs nothing to move walls/windows/doors/columns, etc., before construction begins.
    • Make your preliminary paint selections, choose fixtures and finishes.
    • Design electrical/lighting plans. As a designer, I like to provide these with the furniture/floor plans to ensure the space has functional task lighting and highlights unique architectural details.
    • Finalize kitchen and bath designs. These designs may require several revisions and it can take up to a month to complete a workable plan based on your specific needs. After construction gets under way, it’s a major problem if you find you need 6 more inches for all of your appliances to fit.
    • Pick out any “special” items, such as appliances, plumbing fixtures and lighting. Planning could help you avoid costly fixes later in the project. Be sure to get all of the specifications/installation instructions for your builder to review at this time. This allows the builder to be aware of any special subcontractors that may need to get involved to be certain that the installation is up to code.

■ Construction begins until drywall is complete:
Things will progress quickly now. Many homeowners at this point feel like they can relax and slow down on the decision-making process. Unfortunately, there are many more decisions ahead.

    • Make selections on cabinetry, keeping in mind that some cabinets have a 12-week lead time.
    • If having custom cabinetry is in your plans, decide on a custom cabinet option. Installation can begin as soon as the drywall is up.
    • Make final selections on paint, flooring, tile, plumbing fixtures and lighting.
    • Get your landscape architect more involved at this time — as dirt is being moved, field measurements can be made and site conditions can be assessed.
    • Begin preliminary installation of underground waterlines for irrigation.
    • Do a walk-through with your builder before sheetrock is installed. See that everything that goes behind the walls is where it needs to be, including electrical, plumbing and the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system. Nothing slows a project down more than having to tear out drywall to fix or add something that was missed.

■ Finished drywall to final walk-through:
At this point you really can begin to relax. The major decisions have been made and the project is progressing nicely. There will still be small decisions to be made, and the occasional “we didn’t plan for this” conversation. Feel good that you are over the hill and on the downhill side of things. In no time, you will be enjoying your new home.

    • Finesse and finalize furniture layouts and selections. Order furniture, rugs, window treatments, etc.
    • Have pieces reupholstered.
    • Finalize landscaping.

■ Final walk-through:
You did it. You are now ready to move into your new home. You should only have punch list items remaining to be completed and your certificate of occupancy to obtain after the final inspections are completed. 

Jessica Dauray is owner of Elements of Style Interiors, a full-service interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington, and The Studio, a trade-focused fabric and furniture resource. Visit her Web sites at www.elementsofstyleinteriors.com or www.thestudioofgreensboro.com. Have questions? E-mail Jessica at jessicaofeos@bellsouth.net.