Interactive · Planning tool
Before you build.
Most expensive surprises in a building project were knowable in advance. Tell us where things stand and you’ll get a checklist built for your situation, split into decisions, information and questions.
No score, no sign-up. It runs in your browser and sends nothing. It is general guidance, and real requirements depend on where you build.
An interactive concept created by Site Proper. Nothing you choose leaves this browser tab.
What it responds to
Every situation the checklist knows about.
The checklist is rule-based. Each situation below adds specific items to the three lists: decisions to make, information to gather, questions to ask a professional. Nothing is scored.
- Every project1 to decide, 1 to gather, 2 to ask
- You own land2 to gather, 1 to ask
- You're comparing properties1 to decide, 1 to gather, 1 to ask
- You're changing an existing house1 to decide, 1 to gather, 1 to ask
- You haven't chosen a site yet1 to decide, 1 to ask
- Your budget isn't a full project budget yet1 to decide, 1 to ask
- You don't have a budget figure1 to decide, 1 to gather
- You have a total budget1 to decide
- Living on one level matters1 to decide, 1 to ask
- You need a workspace1 to decide
- You want room for guests1 to decide
- Outdoor living matters1 to gather
- Energy performance matters1 to decide, 1 to ask
- You need a workshop or studio1 to gather
- You want a separate unit1 to ask
- More than one person decides1 to decide
- Several family members are involved1 to gather
- A lender, trust or partner is involved1 to gather, 1 to ask
- Your timing is tight1 to decide, 1 to ask
- You have a fixed deadline1 to decide
- You have time before starting1 to gather
- You're unsure what you can build1 to gather, 1 to ask
- Soil, slope or drainage is unclear1 to ask
- Utilities or access are unclear1 to gather
- The real cost is unknown1 to ask
- Renovate or rebuild is undecided1 to ask
- You're not sure who to hire first1 to decide
Questions
About this checklist.
What should I do before building a house?
Before design starts, write down how you want to live and rank it, learn what your site allows, set a total project budget that includes fees and a contingency, agree how decisions will be made, and list the questions you still can't answer. The Before You Build tool turns those topics into a checklist for your situation.
What does the Before You Build checklist include?
Three lists: decisions to make, information to gather, and questions to ask a professional. Each item appears because of a specific answer you gave, and the checklist shows that reason next to it.
Does the checklist tell me what permits or approvals I need?
No. Permit, zoning, structural and financing requirements vary by jurisdiction and project. The checklist points you to the right questions. Qualified local professionals and authorities have to confirm the answers.
Is anything I enter stored?
Your answers stay in your browser. Ticked items are kept in session storage for the current tab only, so a reload doesn't lose them, and they are cleared when you close the tab or start over.