The first step in building a home is the Preliminary Building Agreement, which outlines the scope of work, design, and construction schedule, while providing an accurate cost estimate. This agreement, often around 60 pages long, can take more than 50 hours to create, and typically costs between 15K to 20K. Although it may seem expensive, the detailed nature of the agreement ensures cost savings due to its accuracy. All selections, including model numbers, are specified, ensuring the exact home you want at the listed price. You can reduce the fee by choosing and customizing a Design Build plan.