Building a house is an all-consuming undertaking. I really don't think I'd ever do it myself, but if I did, I would:

* Define my house needs and wants very clearly, in a prioritized list that applies both now and also for the next 20-40 years and/or resale
* Get wants/needs from all family members
* Read lots of books about house building
* Talk to at least 5 people who have built their own houses
* Define a budget and work it into the family's financial plan, along with risk analysis and scenarios (just one thought: if you're halfway through the build and your breadwinner(s) lose their employment, what then? You can't readily sell a half-built house)
* Talk to numerous builders who have built individual houses to owner specs
* Talk to numerous architects who have designed individual houses to owner specs
* Define why I want to build (you mention "saving" - you mean saving money? Compared to an equivalent spec-built home? I am not aware that owner-spec'd houses are a reliable way to save money, apples to apples.)
Etc.

Building a home for yourself can be a rewarding experience, but the first thing you have to do, is your homework. Find a reputable contractor you can trust, go to local home builders association to get names of companies in good standing and then get references from their customers. Know your budget, be real with yourself, go to your bank, then make the list of things you can afford in your new home. Thinking you can save money by contracting it on your own you must consider the time it will take away from the job you already have, but also how will the subcontractors will consider your job vs contractors that feeds them many jobs. Also, remember everyone becomes an expert, but there really are only a few people that really know how to design and appoint this home for you and that would be you and the professionals that you communicate with on what you want and how you intend to live in this home. Also, life has a way of changing on us when we least expect it so, resale and location are always a must to consider.

If I'm understanding this correctly, you want to act as your own General Contractor. Without ever building a home before, I wouldn't recommend it. One thing to note is, if your borrowing money from any lender, the chances of them being okay with you acting as the general is slim at best.

Have you invested in a set of plans with an Architect?
Are you doing a spec or a take off of a spec home?
Have you had your site survey done to appoint the home? once done, you can obtain pricing for the exterior work that's needed? ( these costs have nothing to do with the actual house itself)

Kimpine.......while I can appreciate your enthusiasm and ambition, being a good, knowledgeable and efficient general contractor isn't something you learn from General Contracting for Dummies. While you can become familiar with the theories and principals, the true learning comes from years and years of hands on experience backed by many blistered hands, aching backs, mistakes and lessons learned.

I think you need to be realistic in your approach. What do you know about coordinating the various trades in an efficient schedule and flow? What do you know about the various trades and what is quality work and what isn't? What do you know about contracts with subs and what to include and where one trade stops and another begins? Do you know anything about masonry, concrete, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, dry wall, windows, doors, finishes, painting, ventilation.......or about the materials that goes into to these trades? What do you know about site prep or proper design?

As the general these are things you have to a working knowledge of......granted you may not be the one doing the work, but you have to know how it fits into the big picture............it's something that comes with experience and the notion that you're going to get it right in your first learning curve is about the same odds of hitting the big lottery jackpot your first purchase........and this is relevant in the sense that getting it right and keeping it going smoothly is a big factor in whether or not you make money, break even or lose you pants.....in your case whether or not you save money or waste money making mistakes.

I'm not saying it can't be done........I'm just saying that without hands on experience you're stepping into the batter's box with 2 outs and an o-2 count, it's the bottom of the ninth and the game's on the line..........my best advice is be honest with yourself and your abilities.

Construction loans are difficult enough to get approved with experience. Most of the lending officers I've worked with in the past are extremely hesitant to gamble on owners with the intent of learning on the job.

Where r u in Texas? I just finished building a house in 76801

In general, if you have to ask the question, you already have the answer

If you have been around the construction industry all your life and have lots of family members in the trades, with friends who are architects, building experience from summer jobs etc and have tons of contacts in your area, you might be able to pull it off without bankrupting yourself.