I don't know what kind of advice to give you on this because we hired friends and did not get any bids like most smart people do. First, figure out the ballpark price per square foot in your area. Based on that number, pick out a stock plan of the size house you can afford or hire an architect Then once all that gets squared away, request bids from builders. While this process is ongoing, line up your financing. Then the bank and the builder should direct you from there unless you are the GC. Hope to see you building soon.

EDIT: On the plans, it would be best to have them drawn the way you want it built instead of just depending on a builder to make changes for you. For example, you tell Bob the builder that you want to straighten out the bedroom wall and omit a bay window. That day during framing, Bob went to check on another job and Larry just followed what was on the plans. Now it will cost time and money to change it to the way you wanted it. Just my opinion.

This post was edited by JDez on Wed, Mar 26, 14 at 22:31

Where in NC are you?

Building forever home in Chapel Hill. Grew up there and excellent school district for kiddos.

Jdez great advice. I think as few as possible changes to plans after contract would be best. Seems as if most advertise the flexibility to make changes in-house without going to an architect. I just want to compare apples to apples so maybe finalizing plans w an architect may be the way to go.