This article is written by Mark Attard, construction expert with Hammerwell Inc, and Passive House certified tradesperson. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Mark at the contact at the end.
This document assumes that you have already picked your team of collaborators. It is vitally important that to be successful in building a new home that you have selected your architect, builder and energy or passive house consultant before starting on any design work.
Concept
Schematic Design
Budget and Financial scope
Preliminary Services Contract with Builder
Contract with energy or passive house consultant
Initial Planning
Design Development
Floor plan development
Elevation development
Roofing studies
Building envelope details developed
Initial Energy Modeling or PHPP (passive house planning package)
Assemblies’ discussions
Floor, walls, roofs, windows
Define WRB location (weather resistant barrier)
Define airtight layer location
Mechanical systems discussions
Preliminary tracking budget
+/- 30% budget with many allowances (track to “all-in” budget, determine if design changes need to be made)
Surveying- hired directly by homeowner, coordinated with builder
Geotechnical report- hired directly by homeowner, coordinated with builder
Civil plans- hired directly by homeowner, coordinated with builder
Landscape Architect- hired directly by homeowner, coordinated with builder
Intermediate Planning
Refined architectural drawing
Exterior specifications and finishes
Some interior finish selections defined
Structural drawings
Further developed energy model or PHPP
Building envelope defined
Floor assemblies finalized
Walls assemblies finalized
Windows finalized
Roof assemblies finalized
Mechanical systems defined
Heating and cooling systems
Coordinated plans submitted to architect
Mechanical fresh air systems
Coordinated plans submitted to architect
DHW (domestic hot water) system
Coordinated plans submitted to architect
Budgeting
+/- 20% budget, more defined, fewer allowances, finish selections narrowed.
Final Planning
Architectural and Structural
Coordinated sets ready for submittal
Most selections defined and chosen
Mechanical Systems
Coordinated with architectural and structural
Energy modeling or PHPP
Final model or PHPP coordinated with architectural and structural
Landscaping
Coordinated with architectural and structural
Permitting
Submit to municipality for review
Scheduling
Construction schedule developed per previous discussions and expectations
Refined Budget
+/- 10% budget for construction, few allowances
Well defined scopes of work
Construction Contract
Construction Budget
Permit or Construction architectural documents
Permit or Construction structural documents
Break Ground
Refined Schedule
Construction drawings
Final material selections
Final details
Project Management
For questions about this article and all things construction, please contact Mark Attard below: