You've found your lot... selected your builder...found the home of you dreams. Depending on the size and detail of your home building in this area will take between six and twelve months. This time frame will be influenced by such factors as lot elevation, lot preparation requirements, complexity of design and even mother nature will play a role.

Steps you can anticipate in your building schedule will be something like this.

• Meet and finalize all specifications and plans, initiate topo and tree survey if necessary.
• Negotiate and approve a construction contract with your builder; submit your plans to the appropriate ARB.
• Upon ARB approval plans will be submitted to the local building inspection department for permits.
• You and your builder should walk the lot and review final house location and tree removal. Your lot will then be cleared and staked in preparation for the foundation.
• Footings and/or block work will be completed. Upon completion your lender may require a foundation survey. The local building department may require a finished floor elevation certificate, based upon your location.
• Your builder will begin the rough construction (framing, decking, windows, skylights, doors and roof). During this period the local building department will perform a number of inspections to insure code compliance.
• You will be asked to make a variety of selections during this process. You and your builder should have discussed these and established allowances. The earlier in the process that you can make your decisions the smoother the construction process will be. The builder needs to be able to schedule delivery and installation on a timely basis. If you delay decisions or make changes it will only delay the completion of your home and may also add costs to your home.
• Making changes in the design or other area of the home may require approval by the ARB and/or local building department. Make sure any changes are in writing and proper approvals are obtained. Most builders will charge for changes.
• Electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning rough installation will be done. The town will inspect the work done to date.
• Insulation will be installed. The town will inspect.
• Exterior siding will be installed, drywall, interior and exterior trim installed.
• The interior is painted. Tile, cabinetry, plumbing and electrical fixture installed. Floor covering are laid.
• Exterior site development is completed, including paving, landscaping, irrigation and lighting.
• Local building department makes final inspection and issues a Certificate of Occupancy. Your lender and the ARB may also schedule final inspections.
• You and your builder will do a final walk through developing a written "punch list" of items that need to be corrected or finished.
• You're ready to move in! Congratulations - you have a fne new home built by one of the areas finest builders. Information presented here is meant to serve only as a guideline for prospective homeowners. Individual circumstances may vary.

For a listing of member builders click here or contact the Home Builders Association Hilton Head at 843-681-9240.