100 Questions

100 Q
uestions
You Should Ask
Before Building
Your H ouse

Avoid mistakes and waste of time or money

by knowing what to ask before you even start.

by Indrek Kuldkepp & Andrea Bronzini
January 2019 - V1.0

All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part, without
the prior written permission of the Author. Any reproduction or distribution, in whatever form and by
whatever media, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of the Author.

100 Questions You Should Ask Before Building Your House

THIS DOCUMENT IS LICENSED FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY AND CANNOT COPIED OR
RE-DISTRIBUTED ONLINE.
THE DOCUMENT CAN BE BOUGHT ONLY AT h ttp://100keyquestions.com/avrame
IF YOU FOUND AN ILLEGAL COPY ONLINE, PLEASE REPORT THE SOURCE TO
[email protected] AND CONSIDER PURCHASING YOUR AUTHORIZED COPY.
1. Introduction
Building a house is a lengthy process. On top of that, dealing with all the details of the
project requires specific knowledge. Unless you buy a house fully finished, you are going to
have to make choices and decisions.

The quality of your house is determined by the quality of the choices you make.
The quality of the choices you make is determined by the knowledge and information you
have.
The quality of the information and knowledge you have is determined by the questions you
ask.

This document was written to help you make the right questions and to get the information
you absolutely need in order to get to the end of your project achieving your goals without
wasting precious time and money.

NOTE: the scope of this document is NOT to give you the answers. As the answers to most of these
questions depend on your specific case, it is your up to you to find out what is going to work for your
house.
2. How to Use These Questions

This list of questions shall serve you are a guide to focus your attention on the most
important details in the process of building a new home.

As explained in the note above,, getting answers to these questions is in your hands..
You should ask the questions when it is appropriate and to the right party involved in the
project (see the Appenxies to lean more about WHEN and WHO).

The order in which questions shall be asked is generally different from the order in which
they are listed here.

For example: the “type of heating distribution system you are going to use” is listed as
question nr. 83 in the section 5.13 (Systems). However this information is needed in the
design phase so you shall deal with it early in the planning process.

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To help you ask the questions at the right time, we indicated WHEN a question should be
asked and WHO is the right person to answer (see Appendixes).

NOTEs:
● the main list in this document is sorted by “topic” while in the appendixes you find the
list sorted by WHEN you should ask and WHO can give you the answer;
● the most important questions (those you MUST ask or you’ll end up in troubles), are
marked with a star (priority 1 in the appendixes).

Here is how we suggest proceeding:
1. print these pages on paper so you can make notes and mark things with a pen or
marker;

2. read all the questions and get a general understanding of everything you should
know and clarify BEFORE you start building;

3. Use the appendix to establish when you should ask the question and to whom;

4. as you clarify the answer to a question, check the question off (mark it with a pen or
highlight it with a marker). This way you can make sure you don’t leave anything out.

5. For each question, figure out how much it will add to your budget and write it down.
A sample budget template can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1in6BoQDdutA1QpC9ygzgFPz4rwrsExiB/view
3. The 8 Stages of Prefab Building

Every construction project goes through the following 8 stages:

1. Pre-Planning & Budgeting ;
2. Planning & Permitting;
3. Ordering & Contracting;
4. Groundworks & Foundations ;
5. Manufacturing, Delivery, Assembly ;
6. Technical Installations;
7. Interior Finishes;
8. Landscaping.

You should keep this in mind and try to plan your building process accordingly.

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4. Things You Should Know

4.1. Pre-planning & Budgeting
Most people skip this stage entirely and jump to stage 2. Don’t do that.

When you start thinking of building a house, the most important question you need to
answer is “can I afford it” ?

Chances are you can afford to build something… the challenge is to figure out what that
something is.

In the “pre-planning & budgeting phase” you evaluate your options and try to build a
scenario that works on paper, before setting anything in motion.
4.2. Planning and Permits

To build a house you are going to need a trusted Architect.
The sooner you involve the Architect in your project, the better.

Even if you are not planning to get the design from an Architect (you might design the
house yourself or get the design from your Manufacturer) you still need the Architect to
answer specific questions and to deal with the paperwork at the Municipality.

A local Architect is absolutely necessary to answer correctly several of the questions in this
list (see Appendix 2) and to do the siteplan (most municipalities require planned building(s)
to be situated on the plan and submitted for approval).

In this phase, do not forget to adjust and improve your budget.
4.3. Ordering & Contracting

This phase is usually mixed up with the planning phase.
Except for some minor items and services, ordering & contracting should be done all at
once and only when prices and details of the service and/or delivery have been clarified.

Everything you plan to order shall have a row in your budget.

Note that after this point, your budget should be considered final and you should not need
to make additional changes to it.

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4.4. Groundworks and Foundation

Most Manufacturers of prefabricated houses require groundworks and foundations to be
made by a third party. Generally, they recommend this Company to be a local Contractor
operating in your area.

IMPORTANT: if you are told the Manufacturer does not deal with groundworks and foundations, it is
pointless to insist that you want these works executed by them. This will only result in your project
labeled as “not viable” with consequences on pricing and response time on their side.
4.5. Manufacturing, Delivery, Assembly

A good Manufacturer should always be able to manufacture and deliver its product to the
final destination.

The assembly of the house kit can be offered or not, depending on the type of house and
on other circumstances (i.e. the capability of the buyer to execute the installation with a
local crew versus the capability of the Manufacturer to offer the assembly service in the
area where the house shall be installed).
4.6. Technical Installations

Technical installations are all the systems that shall be installed in the house to provide the
comfort and safety we are accustomed to:
● water and sewage systems
● electrical system
● heating system
● ventilation system
● data and alarm systems

Unless you buy a modular home, technical systems are never provided by the
Manufacturer.

In some cases, a Manufacturer might be able to install plastic pipes for electricity or
ventilation pipes into prefabricated elements. However, wiring and connections are always
done on-site by local specialized Companies.

Please keep in mind that, depending on the Country where the house is installed, it might
be required that the Company supplying and installing the technical systems is equipped
with authorization and license to perform such kind of works on that specific territory.

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IMPORTANT: if you are told the Manufacturer does not deal with technical installations, it is pointless
to insist that you want these works executed by them. This will only result in your project labeled as “not
viable” with consequences on pricing and response time on their side.
4.7. Interior Finishes

Interior finishes are all the items and works that shall go inside the house to make it ready
for occupation and usage.

Example of items for interior finish:
● stairs
● interior doors
● floors (tiles, parquet, carpet, ..)
● interior window reveals
● interior window trims
● floor trims
● bathroom tiles
● bathroomware and kitchenware
● furnitures

Example of services for interior finish:
● stair installation
● interior door installation
● interior finish of windows (reveals and trims)
● rendering and painting interior walls
● installation of floors (tiles, parquet, carpet, ..)
● waterproofing of wet rooms
● bathroom tiling
● installation of bathroomware and kitchenware
● installation of furniture

NOTE: the two lists above are not exhaustive and shall be completed keeping into
consideration the specific needs and requirements of the project.

Arranging all the interior finishes will require a considerable amount of work on your side.
It is recommended to use specialized local Companies and to get at least three different
price offers for each item (or bundle of items) on the list (so you can save money by
combining services offered by different Companies).

IMPORTANT: if you are told the Manufacturer does not deal with interior finishes, it is pointless to insist
that you want these works executed by them. This will only result in your project labeled as “not viable”
with consequences on pricing and response time on their side.

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4.8. Landscaping
Most people totally forget to budget for any work to be done on the property after the
house is up.

True, you can always do these work in a later time when you have some spare money.
However, if you budget for it, you might be able to get the money from the Bank when you
ask for the mortgage.

Items you might need to include are:
● leveling the ground and removing stones from the garden areas
● grass & garden arrangements
● driveway
● footpaths and sidewalk around the house
● lights in the garden, driveway, along footpaths
● fence around the property
● trees and plants

Try to budget this properly.

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THIS DOCUMENT IS LICENSED FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY AND CANNOT BE
RE-DISTRIBUTED ONLINE.
THE DOCUMENT CAN BE BOUGHT ONLY AT h ttp://100keyquestions.com/avrame
IF YOU FOUND AN ILLEGAL COPY ONLINE, PLEASE REPORT THE SOURCE TO
[email protected] AND CONSIDER PURCHASING YOUR AUTHORIZED COPY.
5. The 100 questions
5.1. Permits/Design
1. What will be the intended use of your building? (Living house, summer/winter
home, rental, ...)
Having a clear vision for the intended use of the building is critical to setting up a
proper budget and proper expectations for the project.
2. Are you allowed to build that type of building on your land?

In most Countries and Municipalities there are restrictions on what can be built on any
given plot of land. You need to get this information before you begin your planning
process.
3. Do you need any other buildings besides the house (garage, shed, guesthouse
etc)? If so, are you allowed to build them?
In most Countries and Municipalities there are restrictions on the total area you can
build on any given plot of land. You need to get this information before you begin
your planning process.
4. Is there any restriction on the type of house (shape, nr of floors, ...) you can build
on your land?
In most Countries and Municipalities there are restrictions on the type of house you
can build on any given plot of land. Rural areas have less strict rules. You need to get
this information before you begin your planning process.
5. Which is the maximum foundation area you can build on your land?
In most Countries and Municipalities there are restrictions on this. You need to get this
information before you begin your planning process.
6. Which is the maximum volume for a building to be built on your land?


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7. Which is the maximum height for a building to be built on your land?

8. Which is the minimum net floor height allowed by your local building code?
In some Countries and Municipalities there are restrictions on this. You need to get
this information before you begin your planning process.
9. Are you allowed to build a 60° sloping roof on your land?

In most Countries and Municipalities there are restrictions on this. Rural areas have
less strict rules. You need to get this information before you begin your planning
process.
10. Does your local building code require wheelchair access for ground floor?
This is becoming more and more common. You need to get this information before
you begin your planning process.
11. Does your local building code require special structural calculations (high winds,
earthquakes, ...)?
Some Countries and Municipalities require a full set of calculations to be submitted
before obtaining construction permits. You need to get this information before you
begin your planning process.
12. Do you need a structural engineer to approve your construction drawings? If so,
do you have one?
Either calculations are required or not, the Municipality might ask you to appoint a
local licensed Engineer to be responsible for the structure of the house. You need to
get this information before you begin your planning process. You need to clarify the
details of your agreement with the Engineer, including his fee for this service.
13. Does your local building code require energy efficiency calculations or pressure
test?
In most Countries and Municipalities calculations of energy efficiency shall be
submitted in order to get a construction permit.
In some cases, one or more pressure tests are mandatory and shall be executed
before obtaining the authorization to use the house.
14. Does your local building code require using a mechanical ventilation system?
Some Countries and Municipalities require residential buildings to be equipped with a
mechanical ventilation system (HVAC).
15. Does your local building code require emergency exits? How many?

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Some building codes specify minimum requirements for emergency exits in case of
residential buildings.
16. Do you need approvals from your neighbors (for building height or noise during
the building)?
Some Countries and Municipalities are quite flexible in terms of regulation but require
mandatory approval of the building’s features from the neighbors.
5.2. Design
17. Do you want to build onto a basement?
Building onto a basement changes the type of foundation required to build the house.
Moreover, building the basement itself is an undertaking that has to be planned in
fine detail. A-frame houses are famous for their simplicity… if you plan to build a
basement the complexity of your project is going to increase quite a bit (think
excavation, water-proofing, air-tightness, ventilation, …).
18. Is your plot on sloped land? If so, how do you plan to build the foundation?
Sloped lands always represent a challenge compared to a flat plot. There are a
couple of different solutions to deal with a slope and your choice mostly depend on
your budget.
Keep in mind that building on a sloped ground is always more expensive than
building on a flat land.
19. Who is going to draw your site plan?

Some Municipalities require a preliminary draft of the project to be presented for
approval.
20. Who is going to deal with presenting documentation to the Municipality and
requesting construction permits?
In most cases, a building permit is required to build an Avrame house.
Dealing with the Municipality yourself is time consuming and error-prone. To
minimize the chance of mistakes/misunderstandings, it is warmly recommended to
hire a local Architect to deal with the paperwork.
21. How many people will use the house on a daily basis?
Avoid choosing the model of your house based on “wishes”. Instead, base your
decisions on hard facts and actual needs: how many people will spend most of their
time in the house?
Do not count occasional visitors.
22. How many rooms (and which size) do you really need?

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Avrame houses allow a certain flexibility in the floor plans. You can customize the size
and number of rooms.
Think carefully which is the best solution for your family based on your habits and
how you use the rooms.
23. How many bathrooms (and which size) do you really need?
Bathrooms and toilets are very important for a comfortable living.
Think about your habits and the needs of your family… do you need two full size
bathrooms, one bathroom + toilet, just one bathroom???
24. Do you have absolute clarity on the dimensions of the house?

Make sure you revised and understood the price offer for the house.
You must avoid misunderstandings at all costs. Misunderstandings cost money.
Asking clarifications does not cost you anything. If you do not ask, any Supplier or
Service Provider will assume you perfectly understood what you are going to get.
So please, ASK.
5.3. Contract Terms

25. Do you have absolute clarity on what is included in the house kit?
A house kit generally comes with all the necessary parts to setup the structure of the
house. Windows, roof cover and other additional materials might or might not be
included, depending on your agreement with the Supplier.
Make sure you revised and understood the price offer for the house.
You must avoid misunderstandings at all costs. Misunderstandings cost money.
Asking clarifications does not cost you anything. If you do not ask, any Supplier or
Service Provider will assume you perfectly understood what you are going to get.
So please, ASK.
26. Which are the conditions of payment and delivery (for all Suppliers/Service
Providers)?
Contract conditions are a very important part of the deal when buying a house.
Often price offers are compared without taking into consideration the Terms of
Payment and this often puts the buyer at risk of breaching the Contract once the
Terms are finally clarified and understood.
ALWAYS ask the condition of payments and delivery BEFORE considering to close
the deal.
27. Can you afford to follow the payment schedule?

Most Supplier require upfront payment for part (or for 100%) of the goods.
Avrame also requires a certain percentage to be paid upfront. Depending on your
liquidity and your financing options, this might or might not be a problem for you.
Just keep in mind that money move faster when building with prefabricated solutions.

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You must cross-check with your Bank if they are able to match the payment
schedule requested by the Supplier.,
28. Is a bank guarantee required by the Manufacturer/Supplier? Can you provide it?
In some cases a Supplier might request a Bank Guarantee instead of an advance
payment.
Before you agree to this condition, you must verify with your Bank that they will be
able to issue the Bank Guarantee (especially if you are a Private Customer).
Note that signing the Contract and finding out later that the Bank cannot issue a
Guarantee for you, will put you in breach of the Contract.
5.4. External Walls

29. Does any wall of your house need to have higher fire resistance?
Depending on the local Building Code, some walls might need to have a higher
resistance to fire.
This is generally obtained using a particular type of insulation and, in some cases, a
fire retardant treatment on the exterior cover of the walls.
Be aware that stricter requirements for fire resistance are usually in place when the
house is close to a garage or other buildings.
30. Which will be the type and material of the interior surface?
The interior side of the external walls can be finished with different materials, i.e.
gypsum boards, wooden boards, chipboards, …
The choice of the interior surface depends entirely on your taste, the feeling you want
to create inside the house and your budget.
31. Which will be the type and material of the exterior surface?
Traditional facades are made with wooden cladding. However it is possible to use
different materials. Keep in mind that any other choice will result in higher cost.
32. Which will be the orientation of the exterior cladding? (Vertical, horizontal, diagonal)
Horizontal cladding is the cheapest solution. Other options are possible in case you
can afford it.
33. Which type of paint and color is going to be used on the exterior walls?
Don’t leave this choice to the last moment. Define which colors the house will be and
make sure you know where to buy the paint and the tools/accessories necessary for
painting.
34. Which is the desired U-value (R-value) for the external walls?
They type of insulation you use will determine the energy performance of the
building and the size of your monthly utility bill.
Better insulation is more expensive but it will save you money on the long run.

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REMEMBER: you should not save money just on the build. Your objective should be
to minimize the sum of the mortgage monthly payment + utility bills. It is worth to
spend more on construction if this is going to drastically decrease the running cost
for energy.
5.5. Roof
35. Which is the desired U-value (R-value) for the roof?
They type of insulation you use will determine the energy performance of the
building and the size of your monthly utility bill.
See question 34.
36. Are you allowed to use metal as roofing material?

Some Municipalities limit the range of choices when it comes to roof cover material.
You must make sure you are allowed to use the type of roof cover you are planning
to buy.
37. Which color is your roof cover going to be?

Some Municipalities limit the range of choices when it comes to the color of the roof
cover material.
You must make sure you are allowed to use the color of roof cover you are planning
to buy.
38. What type of chimney will you install (metal, brick, modular, natural stone)?
Depending on your choices for heating, the chimney might be an important part of
your heating system. Even if it is not, you are probably going to need one and
decision has to be made on type, color, position.
5.6. Windows
39. Which material will your windows be made of (Wood, PVC, Aluminium)?
Windows are part of the “building envelope”, the enclosure that separates you from
the exterior elements. They also play a big role on the appearance of the house.
For these reasons, they are one of the most important components of the house and
they deserve particular attention.
In terms of performance, all the materials are very similar but they come at a different
price. PVC is the cheapest choice while Aluminium is the most expensive.
40. Which type of opening will your windows have (inward, outward, sliding, ...)?
There are several types of windows and preference for one or the other vary by area.
Outward opening windows and sliding windows tend to be more expensive.
If you are on a budget consider buying inward opening windows.
41. Where is the window going to be positioned in the section of the wall? (flush with
interior/exterior or in the middle)

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With a thick wall - over 10” (300mm) - the position of the window in the wall is
something subject to personal taste.
In some locations windows are installed aligned with the interior of the external walls
while in other locations aligned with the facade. Intermediate position are also
possible.
From an energy efficiency point of view, the best installation is the one leaving the
most empty and accessible room on the inside of the house. In this case the windows
are installed as much as possible aligned with the facade.
42. How do the exterior windows reveals and trims are going to look like?
In case the windows are installed half way into the wall, the exterior surface needs to
be finished properly to protect the window and the wall form the elements.
This is usually done with wooden boards + a metal sill.
The wooden boards can be installed in different ways, so make sure you define and
specify to your builders which solution you like the most.
43. Which material will the interior reveal of the windows be made of?
Interior reveals can be made out of wood, MDF, gypsum or other unusual materials.
Whichever material you will use, make sure to define it beforehand and to budget for
it.
44. Which material will the interior windows' sills be made of?
In some Country it is common to use stone window sills. In other countries the interior
see can be plastic, MDF or wood.
Again, make your choice by time and put the materia in your budget.
45. Which type of glass are you going to use?

Glazed areas play a very important role in the overall energy efficiency of the house.
A good glass is about 4 times LESS energy efficient than a good wall. Therefore, even
with small windows, you can expect a lot of energy to escape out of the windows.
To contain this problem you need to invest in very good glazing for your windows.
Do not settle for anything less than triple glass.
Window glasses can also have special properties such as safety features (tempered
or laminated) and anti-burglary.
If necessary, they can also be “self-cleaning”.
Of course, the more features the more expensive the glass will be.
Make sure you know which are the minimum requirements for your specific case.
Once the requirements are set, the producer of the windows shall be able to help you
with the selection of appropriate glazing.
46. According to local norms, is there a limit in minimum dimensions for the
windows? (think fire regulations)
Some Countries and Municipalities set minimum dimensions of windows, so they can
be used to escape from the building in case of emergency.

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47. Which should be the average U-value (R-value) for windows?

Depending of the target energy performance, you windows might need to be very
energy efficient. The producer must be able to tell you the U-value (R-value) of each
window he is offering.
48. Which color should the windows be (inside, outside)?

Although usually offered in plain white, windows can come in different colors. You
can even have the interior part of the window of one color and the exterior of another
one. Usually any color other than the basic offered by the producer costs a little extra.
Bicolored windows are the most expensive.
49. Are you fine with standard handles or you want to have special ones (color, material,
surface finish, ...)?
As for the color, windows come with a standard handle set in not otherwise specified.
You can order handles of different shapes and color at extra cost.
50. How many skylights are you going to have?

A-frame houses are usually equipped with one or more skylights (roof windows).
The number of skylights really depends on your wishes and needs for light and air.
Generally you want to have at least one skylight in each room, a couple in the larger
rooms.
NOTE that some building codes might require each room to have a window. If the
window has to double as escape exit, the building code might set minimum size
requirements.
51. Do you need window shutters?

In some Countries there might be the need to shield the windows from direct solar
radiation. If you need shutters you must plan them before starting to build the facade
of the house as it might be difficult and more expensive to install them afterwards.
52. Do you need mosquito screens on your windows?

Although it is possible to install mosquito screens at any time, some windows can be
ordered equipped with their own mosquito “blinds”. Ask your window producer about
this possibility.
5.7. Interior Walls

53. What are you going to use as interior finish material (gypsum, wooden boards,
...)?
Interior walls can be finished in different materials. The most common materials are:
gypsum boards, wooden boards, plywood boards, chipboards.
Usually the interior is painted with water-based color.

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54. Are you going to install chipboards onto the structural frame to strengthen the
interior surfaces?
If you plan to use gypsum as interior finish, you might want to use a chipboard behind
the gypsum board to strengthen the surface of the wall.
This allows also to screw items directly on the wall (although in an A-frame you have
mainly sloped walls).
5.8. Insulation
55. Which type of insulation will you use inside the interior walls?
Unlike in exterior walls, the insulation of interior walls does not have to provide any
thermal benefit. The insulation in the interior walls has the primary function of
reducing the sound coming through the wall.
For this reason, this type of insulation can be different from the insulation used in the
exterior walls and it can be cheaper.
One thing you should consider is the possibility to use some type of insulation that
does not contain formaldehyde (chemical proven to be harmful to health).. In fact, the
insulation in the interior walls is in direct contact with the interior space and particles
from the insulation itself can end up in the air that you breath.
56. Which type of insulation are you going to use for the building envelope (floor at
foundation, external walls, roof)?
Although this point was covered already when talking about walls,it shall be
underlined that good thermal properties (and maybe fire-resistance) are especially
important for the roof and foundation ceiling (floor) as well.
The main factors that come into play in the selection of the insulation for the exterior
boundary of the house are: need for fire-resistance, thermal performance, price,
sustainability (generally in this order).
57. Which thermal properties (lambda) is this insulation going to have?

Thermal performance is one of the determining factors for the type of insulation to be
used in the external walls. However, each type of insulation can come generally in a
range of levels of thermal performance.
As mentioned in a previous question, the overall energy performance of the house is
very important because it will determine the size of your monthly bills for heating and
the indoor comfort of your house.
Our suggestion is to go for the lowest “heat transmission” coefficient (lambda) you
can afford. This will guarantee the best energy performance.
5.9. Air-tightness
58. Which type of interior vapor membrane are you going to use?
The vapor barrier is a tiny layer of cloth-like material (or plastic film) which is placed
along all the interior surfaces of exterior components (external walls, roof, floor).

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The main function of the vapor barrier is to avoid the humid air from the interior space
to come in contact with the insulation material of the building envelope.
As the insulation might be much colder than the humid air, humidity condenses and it
becomes water. Once in the insulation, this water reduces thermal performance and it
can lead to rotting of the insulation material itself.
To avoid this, vapor barrier are used.
Vapor barriers come in different types. The right type to use depends mostly on your
climate. As for the insulation, try to buy the best type you can afford.
59. Which kind of tape are you going to use to seal the membrane?
For a correct installation, the vapor barrier should be completely sealed. Vapor barrier
comes in rolls, therefore you will need to join different roll sheets in order to make a
single big air-tight “bag”.
To join the roll sheets together you use a special tape. Tapes come in different sizes
and types. The main difference between types are: width, elasticity, stickiness.
As for all the other components, try to buy the best you can afford.
60. Will you order one or more pressure test?

Pressure tests are used to determine how airtight the vapor barrier is. The more the
better.
Some building codes demand a mandatory pressure test and best building practice
states you should have one test at mid construction and another test when the house
is finished.
Building codes generally state a minimum performance for airtightness. If the
standard is not met, the building inspector can ask the problem to be fixed.
Fixing poor air-tightness is generally time consuming (need to find the leak first) and
very expensive (need to open up the area of the leak and close it again once the
problem is fixed).
For this reason it is better to invest in the mid-construction pressure test, so that
eventual leaks can be immediately identified and corrected before closing the walls.
5.10. Transport
61. How are you going to transport the materials to your plot?
Do you have to arrange for transport of the Supplier will take care of that?
Is your construction site reachable by the delivery truck?
Do you know the dimensions of the delivery truck?
All these questions must be answered before ordering because they affect your
logistic and your budget.
62. Will your site be accessible for heavy equipment? Is there enough room for
unloading them from the trailer?
You have to make sure there is enough room on-site for the delivery trucks to
maneuver and to unload the construction material.

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63. Do you need equipment for unloading the materials from truck/shipping
container (crane, fork-lift, ...)?
You have to make sure you have the necessary equipment to unload the truck and
move the materials around.
5.11. Construction Site

64. Where are you going to store the materials on your building site? Do you need a
lockable storage unit?
Once unloaded, construction material might have to stay on-site unused for several
days. This poses the problem of weather damage and theft.
In some location you have to take preventive measures to avoid your stuff to be
stolen.
If you decide to go for a lockable storage unit, make sure to figure out which is the
minimum size you need.
65. Will you need insurance during construction?

Some Municipalities require it by default while in other cases the insurance could be
added just for peace of mind. In any case, if you plan to use insurance, make sure it
goes into your budget.
66. Do you need to rent scaffolding? For how long?

Scaffolding is usually mandatory for building structures of more than one floor.
Usually scaffolds are rented locally and the company renting it also takes care of its
installation.
Make sure you clarify IF scaffolding is needed on your project and for how long. Don’t
forget to put it into your budget.
67. Do you need to hire a building control or have health & safety inspector checking
your build?
Know in advance if you are going to have an inspection and what you should expect
to be checked. In some cases you have to keep some kind of documentation.
68. Do you need a temporary electric/water outlet during the building phase?
Construction works need electricity and water. Make sure you arrange these
connections in advance.
69. Do you need a temporary toilet during the building phase?

Local regulations might require your construction site to be equipped with at least
one toilet for workers.
70. Do you have enough tarpaulins to cover the structure or materials in case of heavy
rain?

Page 18 of 44

Bad weather can be a problem during construction. Wind and rain are the most
challenging weather conditions when building.
Unless you build in Spring/Summer and you are 100% sure that the weather is not
going to turn bad (hard prediction to make in some Country) you need to be able to
cover the A-frame structure.
This is a necessary precaution to keep the construction material dry, until the roof has
been installed.
71. How are you going to solve the trash disposal during and after the building?
Construction sites generate a considerable amount of trash. You need to collect the
trash, manage it and dispose of it.
Local regulations set the minimum requirements for trash collection, management
and disposal.
5.12. Site-works
72. How deep will you have to dig your foundation (bedrock depth, freezing depth,
...)? Who will do the groundworks?
The cost of foundation works depend on the type of soil you have on your
construction site.
Usually it is necessary to perform a geological investigation before anyone can
estimate the extent of the works.
Determining how deep you have to dig is the first step to budgeting your foundations
correctly.
Groundworks are always executed by a local Company.
73. Do you have a clear understanding of how the foundations should be made?
Who will do the foundation works?
Once you determine how deep you can find stable soil, you have to plan the details
of the foundation. Unless otherwise recommended by your Engineer/Architect,
A-frame house require a 3 concrete strip foundation.
Foundation works are always executed by a local Company.
74. Do you have all connections to utilities (gas, electricity, water, sewage) available
on your site? Who will do the connections?
Unless you plan to be completely off-grid, you are going to need to connect to
networks (water/sewage, electricity, maybe gas, …).
Planning the connection is important because some utility network might be not
available on your land or you should bring it where from the closest point (additional
cost).
Also, don’t forget to assign one (or more) specialized Company to the execution of
connections.

Page 19 of 44

75. Do you need to buy additional materials for ground leveling/backfill or will the
soil on site be sufficient? Who will do the backfilling works?
Depending on the extent of groundworks you might need to invest extra money to
complete the backfilling around the house after the foundation is done.
In some case, part of the backfilling material for the foundation has to be replaced
with new material.
Make sure you look into it.
76. Do you need to build a driveway? How much is it gonna cost? Who will do that?
Do not forget to budget all the accessory works that will make your property
accessible and enjoyable.
Forgetting to budget for this type of works leads to living in a nice house with the
view on a scrapyard.
77. Does your land have any excess water to be drained away?
Depending on the condition of the ground, sometimes it is necessary to drain water
away during groundworks and foundation works.
Make sure you check for this and account it into your budget.
78. Do you need to drain the rainwater away from the house?
Depending on several factors (the location of the house on the land, the slope of the
land, the type of soil, …) you might need to perform additional works on your property
to make sure the water can flow freely around the house and you don’t get flooded in
case of heavy rain.
5.13. Systems
79. Are you going to be partially or totally off-grid? Do you understand the
implications?
If you wish to be independent of the grid and to build a house that is 100%
self-sustainable, please make sure you fully understand the possible restrictions to in
terms of use of electricity, heating and water.
Generally, going 100% off-grid is possible only if you manage to reduce your energy
consumption to low levels. The exact energy level depends on the renewable source
you plan to use (solar, wind, wood, …) to power your home.
80. Do you need a water well or septic tank? Do you need permission for that?
Either you are on-grid or off-grid, you might need to build a septic tank to handle your
own wastewater. Generally this is necessary if your land is not served by a public
sewage system.
If your land is in a remote location, you might need to drill a well as well (land not
served by public water network).

Page 20 of 44

Make sure you check if permission is necessary to build these infrastructures and
remember to put everything into your budget.
81. What type of water heater will you use? Combined with heating system?
Separate boiler? Tankless?
Do not leave the choice of heat generation at the last moment.
Domestic hot water (DHW) is very important for comfort and heath and it should be
planned early, together with the other technical installations.
Generally, you want to plan DHW together with your main heating system.
Remember that the DHW system should work even when the heating is off (i.e. it is
not a good idea to warm DHW with the same wood stove that heats the house since
in summer that stove might be permanently off).
A separate boiler is in general the most convenient solution. If you need to save
energy, consider solar thermal power or a dedicated small DHW heat pump..
82. Is a special license required to install water & sewage systems in your Country?
Who is going to do the work?
Most Countries and Municipalities require technical systems to be installed by
authorized professionals. Since you need an authorization, the Company performing
the work has to be local.
Check what is required in your location and look for Companies that meet those
requirements. Don’t forget you should contact at least 3 Companies for each type of
work to be performed.
83. What type of heating system will you have?

Choose your heating system based on the resources available in your area. Maybe
you have gas nearby or maybe you have access to free (cheap) wood.
In case you do not have any cheap resource available, consider using heat-pumps
since they are very energy efficient systems.
If your house does not have many rooms, a simple wall-mounted split heat-pump will
do the job. The best heat-pumps can support several wall-mounted split units.
84. Will you build a underfloor heating? If yes, in which rooms?

If you like warm floors, you might want to build an underfloor heating system.
Before dimensioning the heating system, you need to have a very clear idea of the
total area you want to heat with underfloor heating.
NOTE: choosing to install an underfloor heating system might affect the type of
heating system you can use and it might result in increased cost.
85. Will you need to cool down the house in Summer?

If you live in an area where Summer temperature is consistently above 75-80° F
(24-27* C) then you need to be able to cool the house.
The best all-in-one solution for heating and cooling is to use a heat-pump.

Page 21 of 44

86. Do you want a fireplace to be installed?

Think about the use you will make of it and how it can integrate with your planned
heating system. Fireplaces are great in winter but they are quite expensive.
Fit it into your budget.
87. Is a special license required to install heating systems in your Country? Who is
going to do the work?
88. Which kind of stove (cooking) are you going to use (gas, electric, ...)?
Again, to make this choice you have to consider which energy sources you have
available.
Never consider investment cost only, always take into account how much it will cost
to run the system and which kind of effort is required to use the appliance (i.e. a wood
stove might be expensive to buy but it is cheap to run. It might be a bad solution
during summer).
If you are off-grid, you probably cannot afford using electricity for cooking. Then
consider a propane stove (if gas is not available).
89. Did you clarify your minimum needs concerning the electric system? How many
light points will you need? How many power outlets? How much power do you
foresee you need to run the house properly?
Before building the electric system, someone has to design it.
You need to clarify the position of every power socket, switch, lamp. The best way to
do this is to take the floor plans and consider the rooms one by one.
Think about the usage you make of the room and where you need electric things to
be.
Once you have a clear overview on how many lamps and appliances you’ll have in
the house, you can draft and energy budget and figure out how much power you
need.
NOTE: this is extremely important if you plan to be off-grid.
90. Will you use photovoltaic solar panels to produce electricity? If so, did you
dimensioned the system?
Photovoltaic solar panels are a great way to generate electricity.
Unfortunately, they make electricity only during the day so you have either to store
the energy (you need a large battery pack) or, if possible, “sell”the energy to the grid
during the day and “buy” it back during the night.
If your network operator allow exchanging energy with the network, you might be
able to cover 100% of your electricity needs with clean sun energy.

Page 22 of 44

The size of the installation depends on your location and consumption. Again,
establishing your consumption comes first.
91. Is a special license required to install electrical systems in your Country? Who is
92. Is a special license required to install ventilation systems in your Country? Who is
5.14. Budgeting
93. Did you get at least 3 price offers for each work/service (groundworks,
foundations, heating, electricity, ...)?
Building by yourself can lead to considerable savings.
Self-building does not mean you have to build with your own hands. The best way is
to outsource the works to local specialized Companies.
To make sure you get good quality works at a good price, you should always find at
least 3 Companies for each type of work you need to execute and you should get 3
price offers.
All offers shall quote the same services and materials. You have to be very careful
when comparing 2 offers, especially if the price is very different
The goal here is not to pick the cheapest but to get a good idea of what is the market
price for those works and establish which Company you can trust to execute the
works.
If the lowest bidding Company inspire you trust and if they can guarantee to perform
the works according your specifications, then go for it… otherwise it is ok to discard
the lowest price to avoid unnecessary risk.
94. Did you get our budget template? Did you fill it?
You must get a clear idea of the cost of the entire build BEFORE you decide to go for
it. You must determine if you can afford it.
Probably you’ll have to ask for a mortgage and the Bank wants to see your budget.

Page 23 of 44

The more details you put into the budget, the closest it will be to the reality and the
more a Bank will trust the final figure.
Make sure you use our free budget templates (link above in Section 2).
95. Do you need to protect your house against any pests (rats, termites)?
This is a very important and often overlooked detail.
Figure out if there is any treatment which is mandatory in your area and budget for it.
If the wood has to be treated against termites, this should be clearly communicated
to the Supplier in the early stages of the project.
Keep in mind that treated wood comes at extra cost.
5.14. Assembly
96. Who is going to assemble the house? Will they provide the necessary tools and
equipment as well?
The best solution for assembly works is to outsource them to a local Team of
carpenters.
Make sure they have experience with wooden constructions and make sure they
understand the steps necessary to put together the house kit.
Clarify if they expect you to provide tools and support.
Everything should be accounted for in your budget.
97. How many days is the assembly going to take?

You need to know how many days the assembly Team will be on your construction
site.
This information affects other services that might be required (crane, scaffolding,
supervision, …).
Try to agree for a fixed time (and fee) to complete the construction. This will ensure
fast-paced construction and it will avoid you extra costs.
98. Will you have to provide accommodation and/or meals for the workers?
In some cases, if the assembly Team os not local, they expect you to provide for
accommodation for the entire time of assembly.
Clarify if this is the case and allocate the necessary money into your budget.
99. Do the workers need any permission/authorization to perform the assembly

works?
Some Countries and Municipalities are very strict when it comes to authorizations for
working on a construction site.
Make sure you investigate which are the requirements in your area and be prepared
to follow them.

Page 24 of 44

5.15. Interior Finish

100. What type of flooring materials do you prefer? How much is it going to cost?
Who is going to install it?
Details like flooring material are often left to the very last moment… but they also are
part of your budget and they should be addressed properly.
If you plan to build for renting, consider using more durable material for the floor.
Don’t forget that the cost of flooring shall include the fee for installation.
101. Do you need to paint the interior walls? How much is it going to cost? Who is
going to do that?
If you plan to paint the interior surfaces you need to figure out which kind of paint you
are going to use, which color and who is going to do the work.
Depending on the size of the area to be painted, this could be a relevant cost… so
don’t forget to add it to the budget.
102. Do you have a clear vision for your bathroom(s)? How much is it going to
cost? Who is going to do that?
One can spend a fortune in the bathroom. Make sure you select the bathroomware
and tiles according to your possibilities.
Include everything in your budget.
103. Do you have a clear vision for your kitchen? How much is it going to cost?
Who is going to do that?
One can spend a fortune in the kitchen. Make sure you select the kitchen, the tile, the
appliances, the lights, according to your possibilities.
Include everything in your budget.

Page 25 of 44

6. About the A

uthors
Indrek Kuldkepp
Indrek has been working with prefabricated house kits for 21 years.
He started in 1998 as a sales rep for log homes. His experience also
involves running the manufacturing of log homes, timber element
homes and precut kit homes.
For a while he worked as an on-site construction manager.
Currently working full time with AVRAME a-frame kits, as CEO and
Founder.
Andrea B
ronzini
Andrea has nearly a decade of experience in the field of
prefabricated wooden houses.
In 2010 he became Passivhaus Consultant (certification by the
Passivhaus Institut, Darmstadt, Germany).
As former Sales Director for one of the major house Producers in
Estonia, he has personally served over one thousand Clients… and he
has seen just about everything when it comes to building a house.

He now enjoys helping people to build their dream home while doubling as writer and
videographer.

To contact the Authors write to [email protected]

...or use the Closed Facebook Group “Avrame Hands-on”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/avramehandson/

Page 26 of 44

Appendix 1 - WHEN t o ask

In this Appendix questions are sorted by WHEN the question should be asked.
Note that the sooner you can figure out the answers, the better.

IMPORTANT: most of these answers will affect your budget, so a question shall be
considered answered only after you allocated money for it in the budget.

# Question Priority Topic When Who
What will be the intended use
of your building? (Living Pre-planning &
1 1 Permits/Design You
house, summer/winter home, Budgeting
rental, ...)
Are you allowed to build that Pre-planning &
2 1 Permits/Design Architect
type of building on your land? Budgeting
Do you need any other
buildings besides the house
Pre-planning &
3 (garage, shed, guesthouse 1 Permits/Design Architect, You
Budgeting
etc)? If so, are you allowed to
build them?
Is there any restriction on the
type of house (shape, nr of Pre-planning &
floors, ...) you can build on Budgeting
your land?
Which is the maximum
Pre-planning &
5 foundation area you can build 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
on your land?
Pre-planning &
6 volume for a building to be 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
built on your land?
Which is the maximum height
Pre-planning &
7 for a building to be built on 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
your land?
Which is the minimum net
Pre-planning &
8 floor height allowed by your 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
local building code?
Are you allowed to build a 60° Pre-planning &
sloping roof on your land? Budgeting
Do you need a structural Pre-planning &

engineer to approve your Budgeting

Page 27 of 44

construction drawings? If so,

do you have one?
Does your local building code
Pre-planning &
13 require energy efficiency 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
calculations or pressure test?
Pre-planning &
14 require to use a mechanical 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
ventilation system?
Do you want to build onto a Pre-planning &
17 1 Design Architect, You
basement? Budgeting
Is your plot on sloped land? If
Pre-planning &
18 so, how do you plan to build 1 Design Architect, You
Budgeting
the foundation?
Who is going to draw your Pre-planning &
site plan? Budgeting
Who is going to deal with
presenting documentation to
Pre-planning &
20 the Municipality and 1 Design Architect, You
Budgeting
requesting construction
permits?
How many people will use the Pre-planning &
21 1 Design You
house on a daily bases? Budgeting
How many rooms (and which Pre-planning &
22 1 Design You
size) do you really need? Budgeting
How many bathrooms (and
Pre-planning &
23 which size) do you really 1 Design You
Budgeting
need?
Do you have absolute clarity
Pre-planning & House Manufacturer,
24 on the dimensions of the 1 Design
Budgeting You
house?
25 on what is included in the 1 Contract Terms
Budgeting You
house kit?
Which will be the type and
Pre-planning &
30 material of the interior 1 External walls Architect, You
Budgeting
surface?
Pre-planning &
31 material of the exterior 1 External walls Architect, You
Budgeting
surface?
Which is the desired U-value Pre-planning &
34 1 External walls Architect, You
(R-value) for the walls? Budgeting

Page 28 of 44


(R-value) for the roof? Budgeting
Are you allowed to use metal Pre-planning &
36 1 Roof Architect
as roofing material? Budgeting
What type of chimney will you
Pre-planning &
38 install (metal, brick, modular, 2 Roof Architect, You
Budgeting
natural stone)?
Which material will your
Pre-planning &
39 windows be made of (Wood, 2 Windows You
Budgeting
PVC, Aluminium)?
According local norms, is
there a limit on minimum Pre-planning &
46 1 Windows Architect
dimensions for the windows? Budgeting
(think fire regulations)
How many skylights are you Pre-planning & Architect, House
50 1 Windows
going to have? Budgeting Manufacturer, You
Do you need window Pre-planning &
51 2 Windows Architect, You
shutters? Budgeting
Do you need mosquito Pre-planning &
52 2 Windows You
screens on your windows? Budgeting
What are you going to use as
interior finish material Pre-planning &
53 1 Interior walls Architect, You
(gypsum, wooden boards, Budgeting
...)?
Will you order one or more Pre-planning &
60 1 Air-tightness Architect, You
pressure test? Budgeting
How are you going to
61 transport the materials to your 1 Transport
Budgeting You
plot?
Will you need insurance Pre-planning &
65 1 Construction-site Architect
during construction? Budgeting
Do you need to rent Pre-planning & Architect, House
66 1 Construction-site
scaffolding? For how long? Budgeting Manufacturer
Do you need to hire a building
control or have health&safety Pre-planning &
inspector checking your Budgeting
build?
Do you need a temporary
Pre-planning &
68 electric outlet during the 1 Construction-site Architect
Budgeting
building phase?

Page 29 of 44

How are you going to solve

Pre-planning & Architect, Assembly
71 the trash disposal during and 1 Construction-site
Budgeting Team, You
after the building?
How deep will you have to dig
your foundation (bedrock Pre-planning &
72 1 Site-works Architect
depth, freezing depth, ...)? Budgeting
Who will do the groundworks?
Do you have a clear
understanding of how the
Pre-planning & Architect, House
73 foundations should be made? 1 Site-works
Budgeting Manufacturer
Who will do the foundation
works?
Do you have all connections
to utilities (gas, electricity,
Pre-planning &
74 water, sewage) available on 1 Site-works Architect, You
Budgeting
your site? Who will do the
connections?
Do you need to buy additional
materials for ground
Pre-planning &
75 leveling/backfill or will the soil 1 Site-works Architect, You
Budgeting
on site be sufficient? Who will
do the backfilling works?
Do you need to build a
Pre-planning &
76 driveway? How much is it 1 Site-works Architect, You
Budgeting
gonna cost? Who will do that?
Are you going to be partially
Pre-planning &
79 or totally off-grid? Do you 1 Systems You
Budgeting
understand the implications?
Do you need a water well or
Systems - water Pre-planning &
80 septic tank? Do you need 1 Architect, You
& sewage Budgeting
permission for that?
What type of water heater will
you use? Combined with Systems - water Pre-planning &
81 1 You
heating system? Separate & sewage Budgeting
boiler? Tankless?
Is a special license required
to install water&sewage Systems - water Pre-planning &
82 1 Architect
systems in your Country? & sewage Budgeting
What type of heating system Systems - Pre-planning &
83 1 You
will you have? heating Budgeting

Page 30 of 44

Will you build a underfloor

Systems - Pre-planning &
84 heating? If yes, in which 1 You
heating Budgeting
rooms?
Will you need to cool down Systems - Pre-planning &
85 1 You
the house in Summer? heating Budgeting
Do you want a fireplace to be Systems - Pre-planning &
86 1 You
installed? heating Budgeting
Did you clarify your minimum
needs concerning the electric
system? How many light
points will you need? How Systems - Pre-planning &
89 1 Architect, You
many power outlets? How electricity Budgeting
much power do you foresee
you need to run the house
proPlanning & Permitsly?
Will you use photovoltaic
solar panels to produce Systems - Pre-planning &
90 1 You
electricity? If so, did you electricity Budgeting
Did you get our budget Pre-planning &
94 1 Budgeting You
template? Did you fill it? Budgeting
Who is going to assemble the
house? Will they provide the Pre-planning &
96 1 Assembly You
necessary tools and Budgeting
equipment as well?
What type of flooring Pre-planning &
100 2 Interior finishes You
materials do you prefer? Budgeting
Do you need to paint the
interior walls? How much is it Pre-planning &
going to cost? Who is going Budgeting
to do that?
Do you have a clear vision for
your bathroom(s)? How much Pre-planning &
is it going to cost? Who is Budgeting
going to do that?
your kitchen? How much is it Pre-planning &
to do that?
Planning &
10 require wheelchair access for 1 Permits/Design Architect
Permits
ground floor?

Page 31 of 44


require special structural Planning &
calculations (high winds, Permits
earthquakes, ...)?
Planning &
15 require emergency exits? 1 Permits/Design Architect
Permits
How many?
Do you need approvals from
your neighbors (for building Planning &
height or noise during the Permits
building)?
Does any wall of your house
Planning &
29 need to have higher fire 1 External walls Architect
Permits
resistance?
Which will be the orientation
Planning &
32 of the exterior cladding? 2 External walls Architect, You
Permits
(Vertical, horizontal, diagonal)
Which type of paint and color
Planning &
33 is going to be used on the 2 External walls Architect, You
Permits
exterior walls?
Which type of opening will
Planning &
40 your windows have (inward, 1 Windows You
Permits
outward, sliding, ...)?
Where is the window going to
be positioned in the section of
Planning &
41 the wall? (flush with 2 Windows Architect, You
Permits
interior/exterior or in the
middle)
How do the exterior windows
Planning & Architect, House
42 reveals and trims are going to 2 Windows
Permits Manufacturer, You
look like?
Which material will the interior
43 reveal of the windows be 2 Windows
made of?
Which material will the interior Planning & Architect, House
44 2 Windows
windows' sills be made of? Permits Manufacturer, You
Which type of glass are you Planning &
going to use? Permits
Which should be the average
Planning &
47 U-value (R-value) for 1 Windows Architect
Permits
windows?

Page 32 of 44

Which color should the Planning &

windows be (inside, outside)? Permits
Are you going to install
chipboards onto the structural Planning &
54 1 Interior walls You
frame to strengthen the Permits
interior surfaces?
Which type of insulation will
Planning &
55 you use inside the interior 1 Insulation Architect, You
Permits
walls?
Which type of insulation are
you going to use for the
Planning &
56 building envelope (floor at 1 Insulation Architect, You
Permits
foundation, external walls,
roof)?
Which thermal properties
Planning &
57 (lambda) is this insulation 1 Insulation Architect, You
Permits
going to have?
Which type of interior vapor
Planning &
58 membrane are you going to 2 Air-tightness Architect, You
Permits
use?
Which kind of tape are you
Planning &
59 going to use to seal the 2 Air-tightness Architect, You
Permits
membrane?
Does your land have any
Planning &
77 excess water to be drained 1 Site-works Architect, You
Permits
away?
Do you need to drain the
Planning &
78 rainwater away from the 1 Site-works Architect, You
Permits
house?
to install heating systems in Systems - Planning &
87 1 Architect
your Country? Who is going heating Permits
to do the work?
Which kind of stove (cooking)
Systems - Planning &
88 are you going to use (gas, 2 You
electricity/gas Permits
electric, ...)?
to install electrical systems in Systems - Planning &
91 1 Architect
your Country? Who is going electricity Permits
to do the work?
Is a special license required Systems - Planning &

92 1 Architect
to install ventilation systems ventilation Permits

Page 33 of 44

in your Country? Who is

Did you get at least 3 price
offers for each work/service Planning &
93 1 Budgeting You
(groundworks, foundations, Permits
heating, electricity, ...)?
Do you need to protect your
Planning &
95 house against any pests (rats, 1 Budgeting/Design Architect
Permits
termites)?
How many days is the Planning & Assembly Team,
97 1 Assembly
assembly going to take? Permits House Manufacturer
Will you have to provide
Planning &
98 accommodation and/or meals 1 Assembly Assembly Team
Permits
for the workers?
Do the workers need any
Planning &
99 permission/authorization to 1 Assembly Architect
Permits
perform the assembly works?
Which are the conditions of
Ordering & Suppliers / Service
26 payment and delivery (for all 1 Contract Terms
Contracting Providers
Suppliers/Service Providers)?
Can you afford to follow the Ordering &
27 1 Contract Terms You
payment schedule? Contracting
Is a bank guarantee required
by the Ordering & House Manufacturer,
28 1 Contract Terms
Manufacturer/Supplier? Can Contracting You
you provide it?
Which color is your roof cover Ordering &
37 2 Roof Architect, You
going to be? Contracting
Are you fine with standard
handles or you want to have Ordering &
49 2 Windows You
special ones (color, material, Contracting
Will your site be accessible
for heavy equipment? Enough Ordering & House Manufacturer,
62 1 Transport
room for unloading them from Contracting You
trailer?
Do you need equipment for
unloading the materials from Ordering & House Manufacturer,
63 1 Transport
truck/shipping container Contracting You
(crane, fork-lift, ...)?

Page 34 of 44

Where are you going to store

the materials on your site? Do Ordering &
you need a lockable storage Contracting
unit on your building site?
Ordering &
69 toilet during the building 2 Construction-site Architect
Contracting
phase?
Do you have enough
tarpaulins to cover the Ordering &
70 2 Construction-site You
structure or materials in case Contracting
of heavy rain?

Page 35 of 44

Appendix 2 - WHO h
as the answer
In this Appendix questions are sorted by WHO has the answer.
This will allow you to “schedule” your questions more efficiently.

# Question Priority Topic When Who
Are you allowed to build that Pre-planning &
type of building on your land? Budgeting
Is there any restriction on the
type of house (shape, nr of Pre-planning &
floors, ...) you can build on Budgeting
your land?
Pre-planning &
5 foundation area you can build 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
on your land?
Pre-planning &
6 volume for a building to be 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
built on your land?
Which is the maximum height
Pre-planning &
7 for a building to be built on 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
your land?
Which is the minimum net
Pre-planning &
8 floor height allowed by your 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
local building code?
Are you allowed to build a 60° Pre-planning &
sloping roof on your land? Budgeting
Planning &
10 require wheelchair access for 1 Permits/Design Architect
Permits
ground floor?
require special structural Planning &
calculations (high winds, Permits
earthquakes, ...)?
Do you need a structural
engineer to approve your Pre-planning &
construction drawings? If so, Budgeting
do you have one?
Pre-planning &
13 require energy efficiency 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
calculations or pressure test?

Page 36 of 44


Pre-planning &
14 require to use a mechanical 1 Permits/Design Architect
Budgeting
ventilation system?
Planning &
15 require emergency exits? 1 Permits/Design Architect
Permits
How many?
Do you need approvals from
your neighbors (for building Planning &
height or noise during the Permits
building)?
Does any wall of your house
Planning &
29 need to have higher fire 1 External walls Architect
Permits
resistance?
Are you allowed to use metal Pre-planning &
36 1 Roof Architect
as roofing material? Budgeting
According local norms, is
there a limit on minimum Pre-planning &
46 1 Windows Architect
dimensions for the windows? Budgeting
(think fire regulations)
Which should be the average
Planning &
47 U-value (R-value) for 1 Windows Architect
Permits
windows?
Where are you going to store
the materials on your site? Do Ordering &
you need a lockable storage Contracting
unit on your building site?
Will you need insurance Pre-planning &
during construction? Budgeting
Do you need to hire a building
control or have health&safety Pre-planning &
inspector checking your Budgeting
build?
Pre-planning &
68 electric outlet during the 1 Construction-site Architect
Budgeting
building phase?
Ordering &
69 toilet during the building 2 Construction-site Architect
Contracting
phase?
How deep will you have to dig
your foundation (bedrock Pre-planning &
72 1 Site-works Architect
depth, freezing depth, ...)? Budgeting
Who will do the groundworks?

Page 37 of 44


to install water&sewage Systems - water Pre-planning &
82 1 Architect
systems in your Country? & sewage Budgeting
to install heating systems in Systems - Planning &
87 1 Architect
your Country? Who is going heating Permits
to do the work?
to install electrical systems in Systems - Planning &
91 1 Architect
your Country? Who is going electricity Permits
to do the work?
to install ventilation systems Systems - Planning &
92 1 Architect
in your Country? Who is ventilation Permits
Do you need to protect your
Budgeting/Desig Planning &
95 house against any pests (rats, 1 Architect
n Permits
termites)?
Do the workers need any
Planning &
99 permission/authorization to 1 Assembly Architect
Permits
perform the assembly works?
How are you going to solve
Pre-planning & Architect, Assembly
71 the trash disposal during and 1 Construction-site
Budgeting Team, You
after the building?
Do you need to rent Pre-planning & Architect, House
66 1 Construction-site
scaffolding? For how long? Budgeting Manufacturer
Do you have a clear
understanding of how the
Pre-planning & Architect, House
73 foundations should be made? 1 Site-works
Budgeting Manufacturer
Who will do the foundation
works?
How do the exterior windows
42 reveals and trims are going to 2 Windows
look like?
Which material will the interior
43 reveal of the windows be 2 Windows
made of?
Which material will the interior Planning & Architect, House
44 2 Windows
windows' sills be made of? Permits Manufacturer, You
How many skylights are you Pre-planning & Architect, House
50 1 Windows
going to have? Budgeting Manufacturer, You

Page 38 of 44

Do you need any other

buildings besides the house
Pre-planning &
3 (garage, shed, guesthouse 1 Permits/Design Architect, You
Budgeting
etc)? If so, are you allowed to
build them?
Do you want to build onto a Pre-planning &
basement? Budgeting
Is your plot on sloped land? If
Pre-planning &
18 so, how do you plan to build 1 Design Architect, You
Budgeting
the foundation?
Who is going to draw your Pre-planning &
site plan? Budgeting
Who is going to deal with
presenting documentation to
Pre-planning &
20 the Municipality and 1 Design Architect, You
Budgeting
requesting construction
permits?
Pre-planning &
30 material of the interior 1 External walls Architect, You
Budgeting
surface?
Pre-planning &
31 material of the exterior 1 External walls Architect, You
Budgeting
surface?
Which will be the orientation
Planning &
32 of the exterior cladding? 2 External walls Architect, You
Permits
(Vertical, horizontal, diagonal)
Which type of paint and color
Planning &
33 is going to be used on the 2 External walls Architect, You
Permits
exterior walls?
(R-value) for the walls? Budgeting
(R-value) for the roof? Budgeting
Which color is your roof cover Ordering &
37 2 Roof Architect, You
going to be? Contracting
What type of chimney will you
Pre-planning &
38 install (metal, brick, modular, 2 Roof Architect, You
Budgeting
natural stone)?
Where is the window going to
Planning &
41 be positioned in the section of 2 Windows Architect, You
Permits
the wall? (flush with

Page 39 of 44

interior/exterior or in the
middle)
Which type of glass are you Planning &
going to use? Permits
Which color should the Planning &
windows be (inside, outside)? Permits
Do you need window Pre-planning &
shutters? Budgeting
What are you going to use as
interior finish material Pre-planning &
53 1 Interior walls Architect, You
(gypsum, wooden boards, Budgeting
...)?
Which type of insulation will
Planning &
55 you use inside the interior 1 Insulation Architect, You
Permits
walls?
Which type of insulation are
you going to use for the
Planning &
56 building envelope (floor at 1 Insulation Architect, You
Permits
foundation, external walls,
roof)?
Which thermal properties
Planning &
57 (lambda) is this insulation 1 Insulation Architect, You
Permits
going to have?
Which type of interior vapor
Planning &
58 membrane are you going to 2 Air-tightness Architect, You
Permits
use?
Which kind of tape are you
Planning &
59 going to use to seal the 2 Air-tightness Architect, You
Permits
membrane?
Will you order one or more Pre-planning &
60 1 Air-tightness Architect, You
pressure test? Budgeting
Do you have all connections
to utilities (gas, electricity,
Pre-planning &
74 water, sewage) available on 1 Site-works Architect, You
Budgeting
your site? Who will do the
connections?
Do you need to buy additional
materials for ground
Pre-planning &
75 leveling/backfill or will the soil 1 Site-works Architect, You
Budgeting
on site be sufficient? Who will
do the backfilling works?

Page 40 of 44

Do you need to build a

Pre-planning &
76 driveway? How much is it 1 Site-works Architect, You
Budgeting
gonna cost? Who will do that?
Does your land have any
Planning &
77 excess water to be drained 1 Site-works Architect, You
Permits
away?
Do you need to drain the
Planning &
78 rainwater away from the 1 Site-works Architect, You
Permits
house?
Do you need a water well or
Systems - water Pre-planning &
80 septic tank? Do you need 1 Architect, You
& sewage Budgeting
permission for that?
Did you clarify your minimum
needs concerning the electric
system? How many light
points will you need? How Systems - Pre-planning &
89 1 Architect, You
many power outlets? How electricity Budgeting
much power do you foresee
you need to run the house
proPlanning & Permitsly?
Will you have to provide
Planning &
98 accommodation and/or meals 1 Assembly Assembly Team
Permits
for the workers?
How many days is the Planning & Assembly Team,
97 1 Assembly
assembly going to take? Permits House Manufacturer
24 on the dimensions of the 1 Design
Budgeting You
house?
25 on what is included in the 1 Contract Terms
Budgeting You
house kit?
Is a bank guarantee required
by the Ordering & House Manufacturer,
28 1 Contract Terms
Manufacturer/Supplier? Can Contracting You
you provide it?
How are you going to
61 transport the materials to your 1 Transport
Budgeting You
plot?
Will your site be accessible
for heavy equipment? Enough Ordering & House Manufacturer,
62 1 Transport
room for unloading them from Contracting You
trailer?

Page 41 of 44

Do you need equipment for

unloading the materials from Ordering & House Manufacturer,
63 1 Transport
truck/shipping container Contracting You
(crane, fork-lift, ...)?
Which are the conditions of
Ordering & Suppliers / Service
26 payment and delivery (for all 1 Contract Terms
Contracting Providers
Suppliers/Service Providers)?
What will be the intended use
of your building? (Living Pre-planning &
1 1 Permits/Design You
house, summer/winter home, Budgeting
rental, ...)
How many people will use the Pre-planning &
21 1 Design You
house on a daily bases? Budgeting
How many rooms (and which Pre-planning &
22 1 Design You
size) do you really need? Budgeting
How many bathrooms (and
Pre-planning &
23 which size) do you really 1 Design You
Budgeting
need?
Can you afford to follow the Ordering &
27 1 Contract Terms You
payment schedule? Contracting
Which material will your
Pre-planning &
39 windows be made of (Wood, 2 Windows You
Budgeting
PVC, Aluminium)?
Which type of opening will
Planning &
40 your windows have (inward, 1 Windows You
Permits
outward, sliding, ...)?
Are you fine with standard
handles or you want to have Ordering &
49 2 Windows You
special ones (color, material, Contracting
Do you need mosquito Pre-planning &
52 2 Windows You
screens on your windows? Budgeting
Are you going to install
chipboards onto the structural Planning &
54 1 Interior walls You
frame to strengthen the Permits
interior surfaces?
Do you have enough
tarpaulins to cover the Ordering &
70 2 Construction-site You
structure or materials in case Contracting
of heavy rain?

Page 42 of 44

Are you going to be partially

Pre-planning &
79 or totally off-grid? Do you 1 Systems You
Budgeting
understand the implications?
What type of water heater will
you use? Combined with Systems - water Pre-planning &
81 1 You
heating system? Separate & sewage Budgeting
boiler? Tankless?
What type of heating system Systems - Pre-planning &
83 1 You
will you have? heating Budgeting
Will you build a underfloor
Systems - Pre-planning &
84 heating? If yes, in which 1 You
heating Budgeting
rooms?
Will you need to cool down Systems - Pre-planning &
85 1 You
the house in Summer? heating Budgeting
Do you want a fireplace to be Systems - Pre-planning &
86 1 You
installed? heating Budgeting
Which kind of stove (cooking)
Systems - Planning &
88 are you going to use (gas, 2 You
electricity/gas Permits
electric, ...)?
Will you use photovoltaic
solar panels to produce Systems - Pre-planning &
90 1 You
electricity? If so, did you electricity Budgeting
Did you get at least 3 price
offers for each work/service Planning &
93 1 Budgeting You
(groundworks, foundations, Permits
heating, electricity, ...)?
Did you get our budget Pre-planning &
94 1 Budgeting You
template? Did you fill it? Budgeting
Who is going to assemble the
house? Will they provide the Pre-planning &
96 1 Assembly You
necessary tools and Budgeting
equipment as well?
What type of flooring Pre-planning &
materials do you prefer? Budgeting
Do you need to paint the
interior walls? How much is it Pre-planning &
to do that?
Do you have a clear vision for Pre-planning &

your bathroom(s)? How much Budgeting

Page 43 of 44

is it going to cost? Who is

going to do that?
your kitchen? How much is it Pre-planning &
to do that?

Page 44 of 44

100 Questions

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What are the main topics covered in the document?

What are the main topics covered in the document?

What are some of the most important questions to ask?

What are some of the most important questions to ask?

Avoid mistakes and waste of time or money

2. ​How to Use These Questions

3. ​The 8 Stages of Prefab Building

4. ​Things You Should Know

4.2. ​Planning and Permits

4.3. ​Ordering & Contracting

4.4. ​Groundworks and Foundation

4.5. ​Manufacturing, Delivery, Assembly

4.6. ​Technical Installations

4.7. ​Interior Finishes

2. Are you allowed to build that type of building on your land?

6. Which is the maximum volume for a building to be built on your land?

7. Which is the maximum height for a building to be built on your land?

9. Are you allowed to build a 60° sloping roof on your land?

19. Who is going to draw your site plan?

24. Do you have absolute clarity on the dimensions of the house?

5.3. ​Contract Terms

27. Can you afford to follow the payment schedule?

5.4. ​External Walls

36. Are you allowed to use metal as roofing material?

37. Which color is your roof cover going to be?

45. Which type of glass are you going to use?

47. Which should be the average U-value (R-value) for windows?

48. Which color should the windows be (inside, outside)?

50. How many skylights are you going to have?

51. Do you need window shutters?

52. Do you need mosquito screens on your windows?

5.7. ​Interior Walls

57. Which thermal properties (lambda) is this insulation going to have?

60. Will you order one or more pressure test?

5.11. ​Construction Site

65. Will you need insurance during construction?

66. Do you need to rent scaffolding? For how long?

69. Do you need a temporary toilet during the building phase?

83. What type of heating system will you have?

84. Will you build a underfloor heating? If yes, in which rooms?

85. Will you need to cool down the house in Summer?

86. Do you want a fireplace to be installed?

97. How many days is the assembly going to take?

99. Do the workers need any permission/authorization to perform the assembly

5.15. ​Interior Finish

6.​ About the A

Appendix 1 - ​WHEN t​ o ask

Do you need a structural Pre-planning &

construction drawings? If so,

Which is the desired U-value Pre-planning &

How are you going to solve

Will you build a underfloor

Does your local building code

Which color should the Planning &

Is a special license required Systems - Planning &

in your Country? Who is

Where are you going to store

Does your local building code

Is a special license required

Do you need any other

2. How to Use These Questions

3. The 8 Stages of Prefab Building

4. Things You Should Know

4.2. Planning and Permits

4.3. Ordering & Contracting

4.4. Groundworks and Foundation

4.5. Manufacturing, Delivery, Assembly

4.6. Technical Installations

4.7. Interior Finishes

5.3. Contract Terms

5.4. External Walls

5.7. Interior Walls

5.11. Construction Site

5.15. Interior Finish

6. About the A

Appendix 1 - WHEN t o ask