Congratulations!

I've had some bad luck with contractors on renovation projects, so take the time to check the credentials and references for your builder. Call a couple of the references and ask about how timely the contractor was. Was the work good quality? Can you visit the home of the reference to see what was done? Ask if there were any issues getting the contractor to the site to complete the work. Expect that you will have to pay some money up front but negotiate payments as the project is completed. (25 percent up front, 25 percent when the building is closed in, 25 percent when the sheetrock is complete, 15 percent when you get a CO and 10 percent when you move in... for example.) Never pay the contractor the final amount without everything completed. Put a completion date that both you and the contractor agree to in the contract, and have language that allows you to get out of the contract if that date is missed.

I've never built an entire house but these are some suggestions from my dealings with contractors on renovation projects. Good luck!

--Bob