If this is a Full Solar home, where’s the solar?

How to get your own Full Solar Home

You’re not going to find a Full Solar Home for sale

any time soon. You need to build one.

If this seems a little scary, don’t worry. Take another look at the Calculator to remind yourself it’s well worth a little effort.

And remember, this is your chance to get ex-

actly the home you want.

We make it easy for you and easy for your builder.

The main parts of the project are plans, a builder,

a building lot, and financing.

You can save a lot of time by working on all four aspects simultaneously, and you’ll see they’re all interdependent. Talk with local banks (see financing below) and determine the overall budget (financing available you, and downpayment). You might get a referral to a builder or two that the bank knows. Looking at building lots early on will probably show that most available lots are more or less the same size (see building lot below) and that allows you to start your plans even before you buy a lot. Plans are where we come in and it’s best to start them as early as you can. This is described on the Get Plans page.

Proper plans are your key to saving a lot of time

and money on your new home.

As a custom home client you can stipulate that you will pay directly for some or all materials — including the solar from the list we provide — and certain subcontractors (see financing). When you request bids from builders, plumbers and electricians let them know you will pay separately for materials. The HVAC bid should include the equipment, warranty and availability of service. A few hours on the internet, a few phone calls or visits to distributor showrooms, and emailing plans to vendors will save you thousands and thousands of dollars on materials. Big money items include building materials, windows, doors, cabinets and flooring — and solar hardware. By the way, building supply vendors know all the contractors and you can get good referrals.

There are probably several independent builders

in your area with experience building homes in

your general price range.

If you work with a Realtor to find your lot, they will know some good ones. Some builders own lots for sale to their construction clients. Many experienced independent builders got caught in the last housing bust and shifted their business to renovations and remodels. Your Full Solar Home project will be very interesting to some of them. There is plenty of information online about checking licenses and references and caveats about contractors in general. This article is not comprehensive, but offers guidance about your relationship with your builder. The best way to begin with a builder, plumber, electrician, HVAC or any other subcontractor or vendor is to email plans or bill of materials and ask for a bid. Our plans are builder-friendly and include takeoffs and bills of material. Be clear about which materials and subcontractors you will pay for directly to simplify their bid. Thinking owner-builder or DIY? Anyone who can build a regular house can build a Full Solar Home with our plans and instructions. Check with your local building department about owner-builder or DIY regulations. Financing a Full Solar Home is the same as with any custom home. Generally your downpayment requirements will be the same as if you bought an existing house.

Full Solar Home

The most convenient way to finance a custom home is called “temp-to-perm.” This is temporary construction financing (interest charged only on the amounts paid out) that converts to a (permanent) mortgage at a locked-in rate when the construction is complete. Your building lot can be used for a down payment if you already own it, or you can make a cash down payment and pay for the lot from the temp financing. Normally a reasonable amount of “soft costs” like surveys, plans and permits are financed as part of the deal.

Your full set of engineered plans should count

towards your downpayment.

“Temp-to-perm” financing is commonly available at local banks. Just as financing an existing home involves an appraisal before financing is approved, for a custom home the appraisal is done using your plans. Passing appraisal should be easy because your Full Solar Home is so much more valuable than other homes at similar prices. We make sure you have everything the bank needs to avoid delay.

There are several aspects to choosing a building

lot.

The most obvious in terms of a Full Solar Home is trees. A small lot surrounded by big trees may not get many hours of sun on the roof. Tall trees north of the house will not be a problem. Verify the setback requirements for construction on the lot. (Call the local building department if the information isn’t online). Setback is how far the home must be set back from the front, rear, and side lot lines. The current owner should have a survey map with exact dimensions and elevations. The exact dimensions are probably online at the county Property Appraisers website, but the elevations may not be. There are other considerations, depending on your location. The finished floor of your home will need to be at least 18 inches above the crown in the center of the street. Will the lot need too much fill? Some situations need a soil test to verify compactibility, for example. Is there an HOA? Any other covenants or restrictions about what you can build? Check the FEMA flood zone maps which can affect insurance costs. Make sure your purchase agreement includes at least 30 days for your due diligence, so you can cancel and get your earnest money back if you find something unexpected or even just change your mind.

In purchasing a lot, a good Realtor is your best ally.

The information here is not comprehensive and is provided as guidance. Hundreds of thousands of families have built custom homes, and you can do it, too. Keep your eyes on the prize. We’re here to help you, your architect, and your builder.

How to get your own Full Solar Home

You’re not going to find a Full Solar Home for sale

any time soon. You need to build one.

If this seems a little scary, don’t worry. Take another look at the Calculator to remind yourself it’s well worth a little effort.

And remember, this is your chance to get ex-

actly the home you want.

We make it easy for you and easy for your

builder.

The main parts of the project are plans, a builder,

a building lot, and financing.

Plans are your key to saving a lot of time and

money on your new home.

As a custom home client you can stipulate that you

will pay directly for some or all materials — includ-

ing the solar from the list we provide — and certain

subcontractors (see financing).

When you request bids from builders, plumbers and electricians let them know you will pay separately for materials. The HVAC bid should include the equipment, warranty and availability of service. A few hours on the internet, a few phone calls or visits to distributor showrooms, and emailing plans will save you thousands and thousands of dollars on materials. Big money items include building materials, windows, doors, cabinets and flooring — and solar hardware. By the way, building supply vendors know all the contractors and you can get good referrals.

There are probably several independent builders in

your area with experience building homes in your

general price range.

If you work with a Realtor to find your lot, they will know some good ones. Some builders own lots for sale to their construction clients. Many experienced independent builders got caught in the last housing bust and shifted their business to renovations and remodels. Your Full Solar Home project will be very interesting to some of them. There is plenty of information online about checking licenses and references and caveats about contractors in general. This article is not comprehensive, but offers guidance about your relationship with your builder. The best way to begin with a builder, plumber, electrician, HVAC or any other subcontractor or vendor is to email plans or bill of materials and ask for a bid. You don’t need us, but our plans are builder-friendly and include takeoffs and bills of material. Be clear about which materials and subcontractors you will pay for directly to simplify their bid. Thinking owner-builder or DIY? Anyone who can build a regular house can build a Full Solar Home with our plans and instructions. Check with your local building department about owner-builder or DIY regulations.

Financing a Full Solar Home is the same as with any custom home. Generally your downpayment requirements will be the same as if you bought an existing house. The most convenient way to finance a custom home is called “temp-to-perm.” This is temporary construction financing (interest charged only on the amounts paid out) that converts to a (permanent) mortgage at a locked-in rate when the construction is complete. Your building lot can be used for a down payment if you already own it, or you can make a cash down payment and pay for the lot from the temp financing. Normally a reasonable amount of “soft costs” like surveys, plans and permits are financed as part of the deal.

Your full set of engineered plans should count

towards your downpayment.

There are several aspects to choosing a building

lot.

The most obvious in terms of a Full Solar Home is trees. A small lot surrounded by big trees may not get many hours of sun on the roof. Tall trees north of the house will not be a problem. Verify the setback requirements for construction on the lot. (Call the local building department if the information isn’t online). Setback is how far the home must be set back from the front, rear, and side lot lines. The current owner should have a survey map with exact dimensions and elevations. The exact dimensions are probably online at the county Property Appraisers website, but the elevations may not be. There are other considerations, depending on your location. The finished floor of your home will need to be at least 18 inches above the crown in the center of the street. Will the lot need too much fill? Some situations need a soil test to verify compactibility, for example. Is there an HOA? Any other covenants or restrictions about what you can build? Check the FEMA flood zone maps which can affect insurance costs. Make sure your lot purchase agreement includes at least 30 days for your due diligence, so you can cancel and get your earnest money back if you find something unexpected or even just change your mind. In purchasing a lot, a good Realtor is your best ally. The information here is not comprehensive and is provided as guidance. Hundreds of thousands of families have built custom homes, and you can do it, too. Keep your eyes on the prize.