Integrating Site, Finance, and Systems

This unit teaches students to evaluate building sites and synthesize financing, permitting, insurance, and systems decisions into a coherent custom-home plan. Students will apply project-management techniques to avoid common pitfalls, manage draws and disputes, and integrate interior/exterior design and building systems choices in preparation for construction administration.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze site characteristics and lot conditions to produce a written site-evaluation report that identifies buildability issues, teardown implications, and recommended site-specific design responses
• Evaluate permanent financing options, insurance requirements, fee structures, and draw-reimbursement systems to calculate loan amounts, required cash, and a phased funding plan for a hypothetical custom-build project
• Apply permitting, code, and organizational requirements to create a compliance and approvals checklist and sequence that supports timely construction start-up
• Demonstrate project-management and conflict-resolution strategies by developing a risk-mitigation plan that addresses common project traps, subcontractor disputes, expectations management, and system-selection trade-offs (e.g., sheathing/insulation, timber framing, and integrated systems)