Dear Daniel,

My husband and I are about to break ground on a new home in Pennsylvania. Even though we are in different states, I may be able to give you a rough idea. Here is what we have needed:

1 Percolation test (for sewage and drainage field)
1 Well Permit
1 Building Permit
1 Driveway Permit

Lots of plotted plans and copies of the blueprints and lots of money! I can tell you that if with our septic and well permit, it was issued by our county board of health, you may want to begin there because if you are going to have onsite septic you usually can't obtain a building permit (or any other) without it. In Pennsylvania, we have townships (municipalities) so that is who issues our building and driveway permit.

A lot yourself plenty of money for these things. To give you an idea, our septic permit is going to cost $400.00, driveway will cost $20.00. In our township, building permits cost $20.00 per 100 square feet of the house. Don't get caught of guard, be prepared because you don't want these things to get in the way of your closing.

Another thing that you may want to know (* I didn't know this before we got started) is that many times with new construction (*We didn't own our lot, we purchased it) you go to closing before ground is broken. This means that you don't make mortgage payments, but you are expected to cover the interest on the money that has been drawn up to date.

It can be a real pain, but I feel like it is WELL worth it. New construction homes have been known to appreciate by thousands very quickly after they are built. Check out your builders well, and give it careful planning and you'll be just fine!

Good luck!

Sincerely,

Suz Hall

I've seen sketches of houses drawn on every thing from a cocktail napkin to the back of a shopping list. The only problen is that a building inspector is looking (depending on location) for a set of blue prints drawn by a certified arcitect. Someone who is farmiliar with building codes for your area. a set of prints will show an elivational drawing, plumbing layout, electrical layout plot plan, septic system, roof system layout and foundation, plus much more. I suggest you contact your local building inspector. He would be the best one to tell you what he needs. good luck