There are some things you need to consider when intending to build a new house. Taking care of them before beginning construction will minimize the problems you are likely to encounter in the future.

Land – Finding a suitable land to build your home on is an important first step. Compare prospective locations as to the following factors: exposure to sunlight; availability of utilities such as water, electricity and telephone; road access; zoning regulations; wind and weather conditions; drainage system; size of the land; and others.
Location Plan – Secure a site or location plan on the land you are considering building your house on. This will help you identify the available roads, outbuildings, power and water lines, and septic systems. Make a map on the property; a surveyor can help you on this. Plan and decide on how to lay things out.
Preliminary Design – Initially prepare rough floor plans that will help you put together the various sections of the house. Factors such as privacy, approach and sunlight direction may be considered. Consider also the finished house in relation to the neighbors’ houses, the streets, and the zoning regulations.
Final Design – If you decide to hire an architect or a contractor to build your house, you must be involved in the design process. The final design will more or less give you an idea on how the finished house will be. All your specific requests and needs must be communicated with the contractor for consideration. This will eliminate, or at least minimize, changes once the construction starts.
Contract – Make sure that everything you agree on with your contractor is put in writing through a contract including the design, deliverables, cost, schedules and penalties. This will give you some form of security in case of delays and failures to deliver.
Materials – Once the building plan is done, review the bill of materials. Make sure that they conform to the agreement as to the quality and cost. Check for any substandard materials or those included in the bill of materials that are not necessary.
Financing – Secure a bank loan to finance your home building project. Usually, the bank will require the presentation of the building plans, cost estimates and bill of materials. Proof of capacity to pay will also be required.
Building Permits – Before beginning the construction, necessary permits must be secured such as building and safety permits. Usually, securing such permits is part of the services to be provided by the contractor.