As the Owner-Builder Guidance Program develops, clients will have access to practical tools designed to help them understand, organize, and manage the homebuilding process with more confidence.
The Owner-Builder Guidance Toolkit is a collection of checklists, worksheets, trackers, and plain-language guides created specifically for homeowners who want to be more involved in the construction of their own home. These resources are intended to help owner-builders prepare for permits, compare contractors and bids, plan budgets, track selections, understand construction phases, and keep important decisions organized from start to finish.
What Will Be Included
“How to Build Your Own Home” Guide
A plain-language guide that walks homeowners through the overall owner-builder process. This guide will explain what it means to build your own home, what responsibilities the homeowner may take on, what professionals may still be needed, and how the overall process typically moves from planning to completion.
Owner-Builder Checklist
A big-picture checklist designed to help homeowners understand what needs to be considered before and during construction. This will include planning, land information, budgeting, permits, contractor coordination, inspections, selections, and final closeout items.
Contractor Interview Worksheet
A practical worksheet to help homeowners ask better questions before hiring contractors or trade professionals. It will include prompts for experience, licensing, insurance, availability, references, scope of work, payment expectations, warranties, and potential red flags.
Construction Schedule Checklist
A checklist that helps homeowners understand the typical order of construction. This tool will outline the major stages of a residential build, from site preparation and foundation work through framing, mechanical systems, finishes, inspections, and final walkthrough.
Permit Preparation Checklist
A helpful checklist for gathering common information and documents that may be needed before applying for a building permit. This may include property information, site plans, construction drawings, septic or well information, HOA approvals, energy code documents, stormwater requirements, and owner-builder forms when applicable.
Budget Planning Worksheet
A worksheet designed to help homeowners think beyond the basic house cost. This tool will help organize estimated costs for land, design, engineering, permits, site work, utilities, foundation, framing, roofing, finishes, fixtures, appliances, landscaping, contingency, and other project-related expenses.
Bid Comparison Worksheet
A worksheet that helps homeowners compare contractor and trade bids more clearly. Instead of looking only at the lowest price, this tool will help review what is included, what is excluded, allowance amounts, materials, labor, schedule, payment terms, warranty information, and clarification items.
Construction Phase Guide
A phase-by-phase guide explaining what typically happens during each stage of construction. Each section will help homeowners understand what to expect, what decisions may be needed, what common issues to watch for, and what questions to ask before moving to the next phase.
Selection Tracker
A tracking tool to help homeowners organize product and finish selections before they become urgent. This may include roofing, siding, windows, doors, cabinets, countertops, flooring, tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting, appliances, hardware, paint colors, and other important selections.
Change Order Log
A simple log for tracking changes made during construction. This tool will help document the date, description of the change, reason for the change, contractor or trade involved, cost impact, schedule impact, approval status, and notes.
Final Walkthrough Checklist
A checklist to help homeowners review the home near the end of construction. This tool will help organize punch list items, finish concerns, fixture checks, system operation, exterior review, final inspections, warranties, manuals, keys, remotes, and other closeout details.
Built to Help Homeowners Stay Organized
Building a home involves hundreds of decisions, many moving parts, and a lot of information that can easily become overwhelming. The Owner-Builder Guidance Toolkit is being created to give homeowners a clearer structure, better questions to ask, and a more organized way to move through the construction process.
These tools will not replace licensed professionals, contractors, inspectors, engineers, or code officials. Instead, they are intended to help homeowners become better prepared, more informed, and more confident as they work with the professionals involved in their project.