Short answer
Building a house in Utah runs in eight stages: set a budget, check the lot, confirm water, sewer and power, design for the site, line up financing, choose a licensed builder, get permits and build through inspections, then move in after the final inspection. This checklist covers what to confirm at each stage, with official Utah sources.
1. Budget
- Run a first number: HomeGuide puts Utah construction at $180 to $280 per finished sq ft for builder-grade homes and $280 to $600 for custom, before land and site prep. The cost estimator does the math for your size.
- Add the costs outside the house: the land, site prep, getting utilities to the site and building permits. HomeGuide gives $9,000 to $34,500 or more for utilities and $1,500 to $5,000 for permits.
- Hold back a contingency for what the lot and the design reveal.
- Write down your must-haves and your nice-to-haves before design starts.
2. The lot
- Look up the parcel on your county's parcel map: parcel number, acreage and zoning. The lot checker links the map for your county.
- Ask the city or county planning office whether a single-family home is allowed, and what the setbacks and height limits are.
- Ask whether a soils (geotechnical) report is required.
- Note the slope. Sloped bench lots can cost much more to prepare once retaining walls are involved.
- Get the HOA's CC&Rs and architectural guidelines, if there is an HOA.
- Check that trucks and equipment can reach the building site.
- Walk the lot with a builder before you close.
3. Water, sewer and power
- Water main at the street? Get the connection and impact fees from the water provider.
- Need a well? In Utah you must own a water right, and a driller can't start until the State Engineer gives permission. The Division of Water Rights says to allow several months for a decision.
- Sewer at the street? Confirm the line's location and the hookup fee with the sewer district.
- Need septic? Start with the county health department. A site and soil evaluation comes before a permit.
- Get a quote from the power company for a service connection or line extension, and from the gas company if gas isn't at the lot.
4. Design
- Fit the plan to the lot: slope, views, sun, setbacks and the HOA rules.
- Decide on a basement early. It's common in Utah and usually the cheapest square footage you can add, but it changes excavation and foundation cost.
- Have existing plans reviewed against the lot and local code before you pay for changes.
- Get a line-item estimate with allowances spelled out for cabinets, counters, flooring and fixtures.
5. Financing
- Talk to a Utah construction lender early. Most build-on-your-lot homes use a construction loan that converts to a mortgage when the home is finished.
- Ask whether land you already own counts toward your equity.
- Ask how the lender's draw schedule and inspections work, and share it with your builder.
6. Choosing a builder
- Look up the contractor on the Utah Division of Professional Licensing's license lookup and confirm the license is active.
- Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.
- Compare estimates on the same basis: the same plan, square footage and allowances.
- Ask how change orders are priced and approved, in writing.
- Ask for a schedule and the name of your day-to-day contact.
- Get the warranty terms in writing before you sign.
7. Permits and construction
- The building permit comes from your city, or the county outside city limits. Ask how long review takes there.
- Expect the building department to inspect the work at set stages.
- Walk the house at framing, before drywall covers the wiring and plumbing.
- Keep every change order and lien waiver with your loan paperwork.
8. Move-in
- Final inspection passed and certificate of occupancy issued.
- Do a walkthrough with your builder and agree on a written punch list.
- Collect warranties, manuals, paint colors and finish selections in one folder.
- Note the install dates of the roof, water heater and HVAC for future maintenance. The roof check uses the roof's age.