{"id":2027,"date":"2025-06-04T19:31:52","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T19:31:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/before-you-build.buildzoom.com\/initial-design-checklist"},"modified":"2025-10-16T16:05:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T16:05:19","slug":"initial-design-checklist","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/before-you-build.buildzoom.com\/?page_id=2027","title":{"rendered":"Initial Design Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A simple, fillable guide to help you get organized before entering the design phase<\/span><\/h2>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h3>\n

Before your design team starts sketching floor plans or modeling your project in 3D, it helps to have a few things ready, or at least understood. The early design process goes faster (and more smoothly) when everyone is working with complete information about the site, zoning, utilities, budget, and overall goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

This checklist is not a list of things you have to do yourself. It\u2019s a tool to help you take stock of what you already know, gather what you already have, and make note of what still needs to be figured out. In most cases, your architect or builder can help fill in the gaps, but having this info upfront helps them guide your project more effectively from the beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is a downloadable version of this checklist<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Initial Design Checklist<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

General Property Info<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2610 Property address: ___________________________________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Are you in an HOA or neighborhood with design rules?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes \u2610 No
\u2192 If yes, get a copy of the CC&Rs or design guidelines.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Do you have a property survey?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes (PDF or CAD file) \u2610 No<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Is your lot flat or sloped?
\u2192 ___________________________________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Do you know the zoning code (R-1, RM, etc.)?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes: _________ \u2610 No \u2610 Not sure<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Are there easements or access limitations on the lot?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes \u2610 No \u2610 Not sure<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Sewer or septic system?
\u2192 \u2610 Sewer \u2610 Septic \u2610 Not sure<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Are utilities available on-site?
\u2192 \u2610 All available \u2610 Some \u2610 None \u2610 Not sure<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Any testing completed or scheduled?
\u2192 \u2610 Soils report \u2610 Perc test \u2610 Compaction \u2610 Asbestos\/Lead \u2610 None yet<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Have you reviewed what\u2019s allowed under local zoning?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes \u2610 No \u2610 Will rely on design team<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Have you or your team contacted the city or county planning office?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes \u2610 No \u2610 Not sure if needed<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Available Documents<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2610 Survey (boundary or topo)
\u2610 Title report or preliminary title
\u2610 Previous site plans or construction drawings (if any)
\u2610 HOA or CC&R documents
\u2610 Photos of the property
\u2610 Utility maps or notes
\u2610 Prior permits or city approvals (if applicable)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Funding & Financing<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2610 How will the project be funded?
\u2192 \u2610 Cash \u2610 Construction loan \u2610 Home equity loan \u2610 Not sure yet<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Have you spoken with a lender or started the financing process?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes \u2610 No<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 What stage are you in with financing?
\u2192 \u2610 Pre-approved \u2610 Gathering info \u2610 Haven\u2019t started yet<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Are there funding limits or contingencies that may affect design?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes \u2610 No \u2610 Not sure
\u2192 If yes, explain briefly: ___________________________________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Will the lender need cost estimates or budget documentation?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes \u2610 No \u2610 Not sure<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Do you have a target total budget (cash + financing)?
\u2192 $_________________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Will your financing involve progress payments or a draw schedule?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes \u2610 No \u2610 Not sure<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Do you need help preparing documents or forms for your lender?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes \u2610 No \u2610 Not sure<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Project Goals & Owner Considerations<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2610 Estimated total budget: $_________________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Desired start date or construction timeline: ___________________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 What is the main purpose of this project?
\u2192 (e.g., family expansion, rental, retirement, resale, work from home)
\u2192 ______________________________________________________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Approximate square footage or general size: __________________ sq ft<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Bedroom \/ bathroom target: ______ beds \/ ______ baths<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Will you live in the home during construction?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes \u2610 No \u2610 Maybe<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Any accessibility or aging-in-place features to include?
\u2192 \u2610 Yes \u2610 No
\u2192 If yes, describe: _______________________________________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Desired finish level:
\u2192 \u2610 Budget-conscious \u2610 Mid-range \u2610 High-end \u2610 Not sure yet<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Will you supply your own materials or items? (Check any that apply)
\u2192 \u2610 Appliances \u2610 Fixtures \u2610 AV or lighting \u2610 Other: ___________________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2610 Any known limitations or concerns?
\u2192 (e.g., limited access, trees to protect, tight lot, tricky neighbors)
\u2192 _______________________________________________________________<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next: Design Process or Contractor Selection<\/span><\/h3>\n

With your project goals clarified and key information in place, you\u2019re ready to take the next step. If your project will involve architectural plans and a traditional design phase, the next section will walk you through how the design process works, from selecting a designer to developing full construction drawings.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re working with a design-build firm or your project doesn\u2019t require full plans, you may be ready to begin contractor outreach and bid collection instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Continue to <\/span>Design Process Overview<\/a><\/span> to see how early ideas become buildable plans\u2014<\/span><\/p>\n

or skip ahead to <\/span>Bidding & Contractor Selection<\/a><\/span> if your project is ready for estimates and team selection.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A simple, fillable guide to help you get organized before entering the design phase Introduction Before your design team starts sketching floor plans or modeling your project in 3D, it helps to have a few things ready, or at least understood. The early design process goes faster (and more smoothly) when everyone is working with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":2032,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2027","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nInitial Design Checklist - BuildZoom - Before You Build<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/before-you-build.buildzoom.com\/?page_id=2027\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Initial Design Checklist - BuildZoom - Before You Build\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A simple, fillable guide to help you get organized before entering the design phase Introduction Before your design team starts sketching floor plans or modeling your project in 3D, it helps to have a few things ready, or at least understood. 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