Preconstruction Planning and Early Build

This unit focuses on the financial, site-planning, and early-construction activities essential to custom home building, including construction lending, budgeting, lot selection, utilities preparation, foundation, framing, and rough systems. It builds on introductory concepts and prepares learners to manage trades, cash flow, and approvals needed for finishing and closeout work in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze multiple construction lending scenarios and documentation requirements and justify the best financing strategy for a custom home project using lender criteria and borrower constraints
• Apply lot-selection and site-placement criteria to produce a scaled siting plan that addresses topography, utilities, hardscaping needs, and code/setback requirements
• Demonstrate the ability to develop a phased construction schedule and bank draw budget (voucher system) that sequences foundation, framing, rough systems, and finish trades while managing cash flow
• Evaluate contractor and subcontractor proposals using a standard rubric and select a team while preparing and submitting preliminary plans and stakeholder approvals