This article offers a step-by-step approach to a home construction project. It serves as a short manual on what to do - and what not to do - when buying, building or remodeling a home. 

If you're thinking about embarking on a home construction project, there is likely to be one question that looms large in your mind:

Where do I start?

Whether building, adding or remodeling, this is the question most often asked by homeowners. The answer is always the same: Start at the very beginning. In construction, as in most things, that means doing your homework. 

Before you pick up the phone to call an architect, builder or designer, before you start looking at paint chips, before you take another step, you need to ask yourself some basic questions. The answers to these questions will help you lay the groundwork for the project that will follow. 

Primary objective: "What is my primary objective?"

This question is so deceptively simple that many people skip right past it. And many are surprised to find out later that they really haven't solidified this idea in their minds. Worse yet, husbands and wives are often stunned to find out that each has envisioned a different goal. As difficult to resolve as this can be in the planning stages, imagine how much more challenging it will be to deal with mid-project. 

So, as silly as it may sound, all decision-makers should discuss this topic at the very beginning and then actually write down the answer. Save that piece of paper. It may become an anchor later, when you're tempted to stray off course. It will also be among the things that you will provide to your architect, builder or designer. 

The primary objective is the catalyst for your project. Your project will be planned around this goal and it will, ideally, become the reference point for the many decisions that will lie ahead. Remember that this is not necessarily everything you hope to accomplish, just the main goal. In other words, this is the critical end result that must be achieved in order for the project to be worthwhile. An example of a common objective is: "Update the kitchen and add a family room." 

Wish List: What else, ideally, would I like my project to include?

This is often called a "wish list." It consists of all the things that you would like to have or achieve but which are not critical to the success of your project. Again, compiling this list is a task that should involve all decision-makers. 

Try to avoid the temptation to automatically screen the list. Include everything, even if you're not sure that it will be feasible. Nothing should be ruled out until it's fully investigated. This will help to ensure that you don't forget something unnecessarily. For instance, you might be hesitant to add a fireplace to your wish list, fearing that the prohibitive cost of a masonry fireplace would place it outside the constraints of your project's budget. However, you might be surprised to find that a zero-clearance fireplace fits your needs very nicely. 

Give your wish list careful consideration. Breezing over it in the preliminary stages could leave you making too many changes later as you add a lot of things that you hadn't thought of originally. Browse through magazines, visit showrooms, go to open houses. Every passing day brings exciting new products and ideas to consider. Besides, this is the fun part. (It's also a good way to prompt a little excitement in a reluctant spouse.) 

As with the primary objective, this information should be committed to paper. If your list is extensive, it might also be a good idea to prioritize the entries. 

Budget: "What is my budget?"

Your project's budget, like any budget, will consist of two parts: the amount of money available to be spent and the amount of money required to be spent. At this point, we are only concerned with the former. 

This can be one of the most difficult aspects of any project. For starters, you will need to have a clear idea of exactly what funds will be available to you. Avoid including future income if that income is not absolutely guaranteed to be in hand at the time of construction. A delay in an expected payment could be disastrous. If you will be financing your project, now is the time to investigate the options available to you and find out exactly how much you can expect to borrow and under what circumstances. 

Remember that construction costs are never guaranteed (even if the construction contract offers a cost guarantee). Unforeseen conditions, for example, can wreak havoc with your bottom line. An example of this would be if the excavator hit ledge while digging for the foundation. Blasting could add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of the project. Plan for the unexpected and you won't get caught short. 

Other items that can gnaw away at your construction budget include inflation, professional fees, financing costs, municipal fees and miscellaneous costs. The latter can include temporary lodging, dining out, storage, increased telephone costs and additional house cleaning, to name just a few. 

Of course, you will probably want to have a budget for more than just construction. You should allot separate amounts for landscaping and interior design also, if you're project will require them. 

As a general rule of thumb, your total budget for the project should not exceed ninety percent of the funds available to you. This will leave you breathing room for contingencies, overages, inflation and change orders. 

If you're the type to make a lot of changes or you're unsure about the finishes or furnishings that will complete your project, consider adding a slush fund also. This is simply a special budget set aside for things you might like to add later. It will allow you some guilt-free splurging on without risk to your budget. 

Time Frame: "What is the time frame for my project?" 

Ideally, when would you like to begin your project? Once you've made the decision to go ahead, it's tempting to try to get started as soon as possible, but this isn't always the best idea. 

Leave yourself enough time to complete your planning, arrange financing, hire a designer, finalize the design, make arrangements for alternate storage and/or lodging, etc. This all takes time and some of it - the design, for one - shouldn't be rushed. 

You will also want to consider what time of year will be best. A common misconception is that you cannot build during the winter. This is not necessarily true. Discuss this consideration with your architect or builder. 

School and work schedules may present other considerations, as will planned vacations, business trips and special occasions or events. Are there any times when you will have to be away from home or when you will have to be at home? 

In making your decision, you will also want to get an estimate for how long your project will take. However, you will want to consult with your architect or builder for a more precise estimate based upon the particulars of your individual project. Bear in mind that one of the most important factors in determining the length of the project is the homeowner. If you are the type of person who has difficulty making decisions or is prone to a change of mind - or if you and your spouse find it difficult to agree - these traits will lengthen the time frame for your project.

Other Considerations: "What other considerations should I take into account?"

There are a lot of things to take into account when planning a project. As the person who knows your family best, it's up to you to consider these. Many of these considerations are outlined in Kitchen Planning. 

The considerations that go into the preliminary stages of a project can be overwhelming and it can be difficult to obtain answers to some of the most important questions without professional assistance. Many homeowners find it beneficial to begin consulting with an architect or builder right from the beginning, in order to get enough information to decide if and how to proceed. This information provides, if you will, the foundation for the entire project that is to follow.