Overview

The building process has three main components: your budget, documentation and permitting. Your budget governs spending and activities regarding land, house plan and detailed interior home design. Once you select land and form your budget, you enter the documentation phase of the building process, while permitting consists of all required town approvals.

Reagan Homes helps you navigate each aspect of the building process. To learn more, please click on any link or scroll through the following content.

Your budget represents your choices in dollar terms. Together we review all components of the budget upfront to ensure your new home plan meets your financial and personal goals.

• Land (Permitting & Site Work)
• House Plan
• Interior Design

A. Land

A.a. Land: Permitting

• Select a home package that includes fully permitted land and a pre-determined house plan.
• Purchase a fully permitted lot and choose the house plan you wish.
• Purchase your own plot of land, attain permits yourself and then choose your house plan.

The permitting process can be complex. If the land you wish to purchase is unimproved, eliminate frustration and save time by having us help you:

• Analyze the land and make sure it’s a buildable lot
  (e.g., no zoning or wetlands issues).
• Identify potential hidden costs and help negotiate a better price if there
  are problems (e.g., ledge or significant additional fill requirements).
• Arrange land and wetlands surveys as needed.
• Draft a floor plan, house design and budget sufficient to proceed with your land purchase.
• Attain town zoning permit before you close on the property or written acknowledgement lot is buildable.

A.b. Land: Site Work

• Foundation ~ access, windows & walkouts
• Septic or city sewer connection
• Driveway
• Well or public water connection
• Utilities ~ electric, gas/propane, phone & cable
• Land ~ fill, grading, clearing, tree preservation, lawn and landscaping

We also help you locate the best aesthetic and “green” position for your home, and the most cost efficient based on topography. Once we agree to the site work requirements, you need to order a site plan (we can assist you with this). The site plan locates the house on the property and addresses set-back, grading and septic requirements. Once complete, we arrange to have the site plan approved by the town zoning office.

B. House Plan

• We have house plans available and can help you select a style that suits your taste and budget; note that floor plans can be modified to suit your needs.


• Go online. Many sites offer architect-designed home plans, from basic to sophisticated. The more you study these websites, the more you learn about home design. Before purchasing house plans, have us review them online to be sure your choice is within your budget and meets area
  building codes, etc.


• You can hire an architect or home designer to design a fully custom home; fees for these services vary depending on complexity of the plan. Reagan Homes offers professional in-house design services or we can refer you to a talented architect.


• Together, we review your house plan and make sure details meet your needs including:
  
  • Living space requirements
  • Room layout
  • Window placement
  • Lighting, switches and outlets
  • Door swing and position of exits
  • Fireplace
  • Interior and exterior trim
  • Porches
  • Steps
  • Furniture layout
  • Heating elements
  • Basement and mechanical layout
    

C. Interior Design

Here are some tips to keep you on budget; be assured we guide and help you understand each step:

• You generally receive allowances for cabinets, surfaces, and plumbing and lighting fixtures. We determine correct allowances for your home by carefully listening to your needs.
   
• You need to understand how allowances work and how much you have for each allowance. Staying within allowances helps you save money because you stay on budget.
   
• You can purchase custom design upgrades for your home; we calculate the impact on total project cost when you do. You also need to choose most of your interior design elements ahead of time to keep your project cost efficient and moving ahead smoothly. To make it easy for you, we give you a scheduled task list and work through your choices with you.
   
• You can rely on us to help you choose design elements and furnishings.

We state our agreement to all elements of the budget through the construction agreement and construction documents. Significant components of each include:

Construction Agreement

• Legal ~ respective responsibilities of buyer and general contractor
• Time ~ identifies time required to get permits, start and complete construction, and warranties
• Payment ~ timing of payments are based on completion of construction milestones
• Specifications ~ elevation, floor plan, materials, finishes and details of house
• Warranties ~ home and manufacturers’

Construction Documents

• Building Plans ~ detailed dimensions, materials and location of all design elements, all according to code and plan
• Site Plan ~ placement of house, grading, septic and well

In addition to your zoning permit, your house requires a building permit, regular building department inspections upon each milestone achievement (e.g., framing, roof and electrical system), approval of an as-built site plan and certificate of occupancy.

Reagan Homes takes care of all permitting on your behalf. Plus our long-term, cooperative relationships with town officials throughout Southeast Connecticut and Southern Rhode Island help your permitting process run smoothly.