7 Steps to Build Your Dream Home in Washington DC or Northern Virginia

7 Steps to Build Your Dream Home in Washington DC or Northern Virginia

You’ve found the perfect plot of land, and you’re ready to build your dream home in Washington DC or Northern Virginia. Building a new home can be a daunting process, and you might not know where to begin. In truth, the process is not a difficult one if you have the right design-build contractor in place.

Cosmo Builders is a full-service design-build contractor in Ashburn and the surrounding area. We handle everything from design to plans to construction. Contact us today to get all of your questions answered, or keep reading to learn the 7 steps to building your dream home in Washington DC or Northern Virginia.

1. Define Your Vision

Before any design service can help you, you must have some idea of what you want in your dream home. There are many ways that you can do this, from a pencil sketch to free home design tools online. Play with the layout and get an idea of what rooms you want included and what you want for each of these rooms.

2. Budgeting and Financing

Your next step in building a new home in Northern Virginia is to determine a budget, which is likely determined by how much financing you can be approved for. You will need to get financing before the architect can begin designing and planning your new dream home. The average budget for building a new home in 2024 is $499,962 according to Rocket Homes and Home Advisor. Building a home can actually cost anywhere between $117,791 and $489,106. Budget based on about $150 per square foot.

It is possible that once you secure financing you will need to adjust your vision to meet what you can actually afford. A good design service like Cosmo Builders can help you figure out where to cut back so that you can build the home you can afford.

3. Design and Planning

An architect will be needed to design and plan your new home and create the blueprints. Designing and planning your new home can be very exciting. The excitement will only continue to build as your plans become ready for permitting. This is really when building a new home begins to feel like reality.

Cosmo Builders has in-house architects and is a full home design service in Northern Virginia. We don’t just build houses, we design them from the ground up. Contact us today to learn more about our home design services in McLean and the surrounding area.

4. Obtain Permits

There are many different types of permits that must be obtained before construction can begin on your new home. These include the building permits, HVAC permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, and utility permits if it is not an improved lot. Zoning permits may also be required depending on where you are building.

Cosmo Builders handles all of the permits for you with our permit service in Northern Virginia. Building permits in Northern Virginia by Cosmo Builders are always successful so that you can start building as soon as possible.

5. Construction

The main house is constructed in the next phase. This includes finishing rooms, walls, floors, and the exterior with the paints and other materials you have selected in the design phase. It takes between 7 to 12 months to complete construction on a new home.

6. Interior Finishes an Fixtures

During this phase of the project, all of your new fixtures and finishes will be applied to the new home. This includes things like installing lighting, faucets, toilets, and appliances. This is also the stage of construction in which kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities are installed. We will have you choose your finishes and fixtures when you determine your budget.

7. Landscaping and Exterior Features

Finally, once construction on the home is complete it is time to turn to landscaping and exterior features. Landscaping includes a beautiful lawn, and can also include garden beds, trees, and shrubs.

Cosmo can help you with the exterior features as well, including decks, porches, screened sun rooms, and patios. We can also help you install exterior lighting for security and entertainment purposes.

Finding the Right Builders and Architect

Hopefully, the process of building a new home seems less daunting than it did before. However, it is important to remember that the process is only as simple as your architect and builder make it. That’s why finding the right architect to design your home and the right builder to make that plan a reality is so important.

Luckily, you have the best option of a design-build contractor in McLean VA, serving Alexandria, Fairfax, Washington DC, and all of Northern Virginia. We have in-house architects to design your home, a permit service to handle all of the paperwork, and the best contractors in the state. Contact us today to start making your new home a reality.