Process

Preparation

We know how daunting the process of finding land can be. Issues like geological and seismic concerns, flood plains, easements, and zoning make buying raw land quite different from buying a house on a developed lot. We have a program to put you in touch with skilled agents specializing in land who can guide you through the process, from start to finish. You can modify, or we will collaborate with you to realize the custom home you envision.

Feasibility Study

Once you’ve found a property that you love, we can help you analyze the site to determine what can be built.  If you are trying to choose between a couple of site options, we can work with you to determine which will best suit your needs.

House Selection/Program Development

We work with you to develop a program for the home you are imagining, and assist in selecting an appropriate design. Because it can be a challenge to envision a future home, we begin with visualized starting points to customize for your site, budget, and the way you live. Our homes can be built as is, or modified to suit your needs. We can also work with you to create your own custom home.

Budget Worksheet & Eventline

Based on your finalized schematic design and chosen specifications, we provide a summary of what your anticipated costs will be to design, permit, manufacture, and construct your home, as well as an eventline to help you understand the sequence of events and associated amount of time typically required for each step.

Design

We believe high-quality design is a collaborative process that should be available to everyone, no matter where they live. So, we developed a set of tools that lets us work with you online. We will show you the evolving design of your home, taking the time to discuss your comments and questions. We will guide you through each design and let you know what is happening each step of the way—and why.

You can either choose to modify one of our home designs at bitzhaus.com, or work with us to design a completely custom home.

Regulatory Research

We work with local planning and building departments to procure setback, height, zoning restriction information, etc. We then incorporate this information into a 3D digital site model.

Site Model

We create a 3D digital site model of the building site that includes digital schematic representations of site features: topography, setbacks, neighboring buildings, views, solar orientation, and more. This first-rate tool enables you to visualize your future home, capturing views from inside and outside the house, and showing the path of the sun at any given time on any day throughout the year.

Schematic Design

Using 3D digital model with plans and 3D views, we will work with you to create a design you love, from organizing spaces to walking through the final design—whether starting with an existing model or creating a custom design.

Cladding Study

Given a wide array of cladding options, we make selection easier by creating a 3D digital cladding study so you can visualize various materials, configurations, and color schemes. We help you understand the materials and their properties—and explain the characteristics of each option so you can make an informed decision.

Planning Review

If our clients choose to build their homes in complex regulatory environments, we help navigate the process by creating detailed diagrams to satisfy even the most stringent requirements. Our 3D models enable us to clearly communicate how our designs meet local regulations, through recession plane diagrams, storypole diagrams, cut-and-fill diagrams, parking diagrams, and more.

Pricing

We pass this knowledge on to our clients by providing a fixed price for your house package. You get price predictability along the way—as we develop the design of your home together, we update you about its pricing that start from $55 per sq ft.

The cost of your home will depend on the finishes and specifications you select, where you will be building, and how much you choose to modify the design—if you are starting with one of our standard models.  Bitzhaus.com homes start at $55 per sq ft. Visit our FAQ page to learn more about how it all works.

Prefabricated Package Pricing

We provide you with a fixed quote for the prefabricated building component package, which includes prefabricated walls, flooring, and roofing already insulated exterior and interior windows and doors.  Also in the package included kitchen, stairs, flooring, and bathroom fixtures.

Builder Identification & Evaluation

We can send our building team to assemble our prefabricated package.  Also we can help you identify local general contractor candidates from our growing network of trusted professionals, and assist and advise you throughout the vetting process.

Builder Pricing Analysis

We provide your list of general contractor candidates with our detailed drawings and specifications so that they can prepare preliminary estimates for your home—we then carefully review and analyze the bids for you.

Permitting

Though the permit process seems overwhelming, we are here to guide you through it and provide everything needed to ensure a smooth approval. Every city, town, or village has different requirements, and we are proud to say we have successfully worked with some of the most challenging committees and building codes out there.

Permit Documents

We create a comprehensive set of drawings and specifications for your local building department to review, including plans, elevations, sections, framing plans, and specifications.

Consultant Coordination

Depending on your site, project scope, and regulatory environment, it may be required to work with various consultants such as engineers, landscape designers, and permit expediters. We will coordinate this communication.

Permit Application

Once we’ve compiled the necessary documents, they are submitted to your local building permit office. We are available to address any code officials’ requests for clarification of our drawings and specifications. Once we receive feedback from the local code official, we make any necessary revisions—providing clarifying details if needed.

Site Prep & Fabrication

With a building permit in hand, we can begin the manufacturing process of the structural shell in the factory. To ensure the best use of time while the package is being manufactured, your local contractor is preparing your site, and building the foundation with a team of local experts.

Builder Orientation

Working with a builder in your area to prepare your site and finish out your home means that local trades, site-specific conditions, and locally available materials can be coordinated, addressed, and sourced most efficiently. We make sure the builder you select is comfortable with our process, details, and materials before and throughout construction.

Prepping Your Site

Unlike conventional construction, your local general contractor can start preparing the foundation while the prefab package is being manufactured in the factory. Your builder will source local materials and a team of experts to make sure the site and foundation are ready to receive the home package.

Fabrication

Because we build the structural shell in a stabilized environment (wall panels, roof and floor structure, laminated beams, and sheathing), we are able to continue working through all weather conditions—making the most efficient use of time. It also means that our homes are built using premium, sustainably sourced materials, and to a high level of precision to be as airtight as possible.

Delivery & Assembly

When the foundation is ready, we deliver your systems-built package to your site via open top container to be assembled by an experienced crew. Walls arrive as panels, floor and roof structures come as insulated components, and windows and doors are ready to install.

Delivery

Using panels instead of modules, we flat-pack the components in a container for efficient shipping-conserving travel time, fuel, and site disturbance.

Assembly

Once the package arrives on-site, a framing crew assembles the weather-tight shell much faster and with more precision than with conventional construction. Since the shell is erected in large sections and the structural components are pre-cut to length, the work can be carried out in less-than-ideal weather, allowing us to build in regions with short building seasons, and assure neighbors of less noise disturbance.

The Structure

With the shell assembled, your general contractor can now work in a weather-tight environment, following our detailed construction documents; our wall has precast to put in all mechanical services, plumbing, and electrical fixtures according to structure plan. You will need just to install the cabinetry, bathroom, and flooring that we supply. You will also need to finish electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.  See what is included in our standard prefab package here.

Cabinetry & Specifications

Using our design insights, we source and ship your chosen specifications for your builder to install. Some, like cabinetry, stairs, bathroom, and flooring come as part of our standard prefab package.

Cabinetry Design

We know how integral cabinetry is to the look and use of your home, so we work closely together to create just the right design for you—choosing from our vast number of catalogs of details and finish options to complete the vision of your home.

Cabinetry Fabrication

We fabricate the cabinetry in a factory and deliver it to your site to be installed by your local contractor. Using a frameless construction technique, we offer multiple wood kinds and finishes for a sleek look in a range of spaces.

Finish Specifications

In addition to the weather-tight shell and interior walls, our package also includes cladding, flooring, decking, doors, windows, and built-in cabinetry. We have streamlined the process by supplying a large selection of options to choose from.

Builder Support

Though the finishing is managed by your builder, we are available to provide support wherever needed to ensure your home comes together as planned.