Most builds go wrong but with the right checklist, you can catch it all and stay in control.

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The Ultimate Home Building Checklist

Refined over the last two years with feedback from homeowners, contractors, and builders. Provide a clear vision to your builder while avoiding the dreaded $300+ change order fees for last minute changes.

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What Homeowners Are Saying

Homeowners who used our checklists to stay organized, avoid costly mistakes, and finally feel in control of their build.

This list has been gold for us!! First time home builders, overwhelming in all the decisions and making them timely and wisely - this list has been the key to do it all!

@jenn.c.pegg

@jenn.c.pegg

We just finished the renovation of 3,600 square foot rancher, down to the studs. I bought this list and it definitely helped us make decisions and provided ideas/advice on many things we would have not thought of. Worth it if building or renovating!

@tnschmid

@tnschmid

So worth it! We almost paid $7,000 to have a Builder give us his “BUILDERS BOOK”, and we paid for Builder Brigade instead and it was the most easy user friendly checklist ever! I’m so glad we got it, it really had stuff we didn’t even think to add to our custom build.

Jenny D.

Such a helpful resource for people who are building a custom home 🙌

carolineondesign

carolineondesign

Buy these checklists as a gift for your adult kids to use when they start house shopping. Truly valuable information they need to evaluate or compare home options, especially when relator shows them existing older homes and says “it’ll be easy” to update the kitchen or bathroom.

Monte Hall

Your Builder Checklist has helped us out so much during our build! Our Builder has commented that he was impressed with some of the questions we brought up during the process (they came from you!). Thank you for providing this resource! Love your TikTok videos too!!

Brian

This list has been gold for us!! First time home builders, overwhelming in all the decisions and making them timely and wisely - this list has been the key to do it all!

@jenn.c.pegg

@jenn.c.pegg

We just finished the renovation of 3,600 square foot rancher, down to the studs. I bought this list and it definitely helped us make decisions and provided ideas/advice on many things we would have not thought of. Worth it if building or renovating!

@tnschmid

@tnschmid

So worth it! We almost paid $7,000 to have a Builder give us his “BUILDERS BOOK”, and we paid for Builder Brigade instead and it was the most easy user friendly checklist ever! I’m so glad we got it, it really had stuff we didn’t even think to add to our custom build.

Jenny D.

Such a helpful resource for people who are building a custom home 🙌

carolineondesign

carolineondesign

Buy these checklists as a gift for your adult kids to use when they start house shopping. Truly valuable information they need to evaluate or compare home options, especially when relator shows them existing older homes and says “it’ll be easy” to update the kitchen or bathroom.

Monte Hall

Your Builder Checklist has helped us out so much during our build! Our Builder has commented that he was impressed with some of the questions we brought up during the process (they came from you!). Thank you for providing this resource! Love your TikTok videos too!!

Brian

This list has been gold for us!! First time home builders, overwhelming in all the decisions and making them timely and wisely - this list has been the key to do it all!

@jenn.c.pegg

@jenn.c.pegg

We just finished the renovation of 3,600 square foot rancher, down to the studs. I bought this list and it definitely helped us make decisions and provided ideas/advice on many things we would have not thought of. Worth it if building or renovating!

@tnschmid

@tnschmid

So worth it! We almost paid $7,000 to have a Builder give us his “BUILDERS BOOK”, and we paid for Builder Brigade instead and it was the most easy user friendly checklist ever! I’m so glad we got it, it really had stuff we didn’t even think to add to our custom build.

Jenny D.

Such a helpful resource for people who are building a custom home 🙌

carolineondesign

carolineondesign

Buy these checklists as a gift for your adult kids to use when they start house shopping. Truly valuable information they need to evaluate or compare home options, especially when relator shows them existing older homes and says “it’ll be easy” to update the kitchen or bathroom.

Monte Hall

Your Builder Checklist has helped us out so much during our build! Our Builder has commented that he was impressed with some of the questions we brought up during the process (they came from you!). Thank you for providing this resource! Love your TikTok videos too!!

Brian

Highly recommend this list for anyone even if you have a construction background. It’s too easy to forget or miss something.

Nick Kozak

Nick Kozak

This guide has been very helpful! Our builder wasn’t happy when I sent him homework, but has since embraced it. Great resource and the instagram videos are very helpful.

Matt Stanford

Matt Stanford

Must have checklist! Anyone who has built a custom home before knows that 3 months after move-in they have a list of things you “wish you would have thought of ahead of time”. With this checklist, you don’t have those regrets! Trust me, get the list…skip the regrets.

Anonymous

Awesome ideas in the checklist! You’ll want this list if you are building. I have been developing real estate for 8 years and I still found TONS of great ideas in here

reisben

reisben

Your Builder Checklist has helped us out so much during our build! Our Builder has commented that he was impressed with some of the questions we brought up during the process (they came from you!). Thank you for providing this resource! Love your TikTok videos too!!

Chris G

The reviewer says Builder Brigade’s checklists are an excellent resource for architecture classes, offering a fresh perspective on home design. They appreciate how detailed yet flexible the lists are, the high-quality educational resources included, and the great customer service that’s always ready to help.

Joshua

Highly recommend this list for anyone even if you have a construction background. It’s too easy to forget or miss something.

Nick Kozak

Nick Kozak

This guide has been very helpful! Our builder wasn’t happy when I sent him homework, but has since embraced it. Great resource and the instagram videos are very helpful.

Matt Stanford

Matt Stanford

Must have checklist! Anyone who has built a custom home before knows that 3 months after move-in they have a list of things you “wish you would have thought of ahead of time”. With this checklist, you don’t have those regrets! Trust me, get the list…skip the regrets.

Anonymous

Awesome ideas in the checklist! You’ll want this list if you are building. I have been developing real estate for 8 years and I still found TONS of great ideas in here

reisben

reisben

Your Builder Checklist has helped us out so much during our build! Our Builder has commented that he was impressed with some of the questions we brought up during the process (they came from you!). Thank you for providing this resource! Love your TikTok videos too!!

Chris G

The reviewer says Builder Brigade’s checklists are an excellent resource for architecture classes, offering a fresh perspective on home design. They appreciate how detailed yet flexible the lists are, the high-quality educational resources included, and the great customer service that’s always ready to help.

Joshua

Highly recommend this list for anyone even if you have a construction background. It’s too easy to forget or miss something.

Nick Kozak

Nick Kozak

This guide has been very helpful! Our builder wasn’t happy when I sent him homework, but has since embraced it. Great resource and the instagram videos are very helpful.

Matt Stanford

Matt Stanford

Must have checklist! Anyone who has built a custom home before knows that 3 months after move-in they have a list of things you “wish you would have thought of ahead of time”. With this checklist, you don’t have those regrets! Trust me, get the list…skip the regrets.

Anonymous

Awesome ideas in the checklist! You’ll want this list if you are building. I have been developing real estate for 8 years and I still found TONS of great ideas in here

reisben

reisben

Your Builder Checklist has helped us out so much during our build! Our Builder has commented that he was impressed with some of the questions we brought up during the process (they came from you!). Thank you for providing this resource! Love your TikTok videos too!!

Chris G

The reviewer says Builder Brigade’s checklists are an excellent resource for architecture classes, offering a fresh perspective on home design. They appreciate how detailed yet flexible the lists are, the high-quality educational resources included, and the great customer service that’s always ready to help.

Joshua

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ABOUT BUILDER BRIGADE

Hey I'm Dennis

I’m not a builder, I’m a homeowner

I started Builder Brigade after building my own house and getting crushed with overwhelming decisions and too many “wish I would haves.”

Now I’m on a mission to help homeowners like you and me get it right the first time with no drama, no missed details, no regrets

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve answered the most common questions here but if you still need help, send us a message!

View All FAQs Contact Us
Who can use the checklists?
  • 🏠 New Construction Homes (Custom & Production)
  • 🏡 Pre-Existing Home Purchases
  • 🛠️ Renovations
  • 📝 Homeowners planning their build months or years before finding a builder
What will the checklist do?
  • Save time and frustration due to miscommunication
  • Save money on multiple Change Orders (avg. $300 per change)
  • Ensure all your upgrades/features get added to the contract
  • Spark unique ideas of upgrades you didn’t even know existed
  • Communicate a clear vision to the builder
  • Finalize a list of all your upgrades and features
  • A list to check off when features/upgrades are completed
When’s the best time to start using the checklist?

The sooner, the better, especially if you’re still in the dreaming and planning stage. Ideally, start before you buy land or lock in your plans. The checklists walks you through every phase (from land search to final walkthrough), so starting early helps you avoid costly mistakes and last-minute changes.


Already mid-build? Read through it ASAP so you can make any important changes before drywall goes up. It’s still helpful after, but it really shines when you use it pre-drywall.

How will I receive the digital checklists?

You’ll get your checklists by email right after checkout. You’ll receive two emails:

  1. A confirmation email (your receipt)
  2. Another email with links to download your checklistsIf you don’t see them in a few minutes, check your Spam or Promotions folder. Still can’t find them? Just contact us and we’ll take care of it.
Can I use the checklist for renovations?

Definitely. Most items apply whether you’re building new or remodeling. Just skip the land or foundation sections. Even one missed detail in a reno can cost thousands, this keeps everything organized and mistake-free.

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4 Roofing Choices Most Homeowners Overlook
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4 Roofing Choices Most Homeowners Overlook

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These are lessons learned from our last home in Georgia. None of these issues ruined the build, but they’re the kind of details that haunt you later because you know how easy they would’ve been to fix. If you’re building...

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5 Sneaky House Finds Under $100
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5 Things You’ll Wish You Thought About Before the Slab Was Poured
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5 Things You’ll Wish You Thought About Before the Slab Was Poured

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Thinking about package protection and keeping porch pirates away? These five options make it easier to keep your deliveries secure without needing to be home all day. Pool Deck Box This one’s genius if you live on a long driveway....

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6 Lighting Luxuries That Should Be Standard
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6 Lighting Luxuries That Should Be Standard

6 lighting features you’ll wish you added once the drywall goes up, so consider them early while you're still in the planning phase. In-Cabinet Lighting In-cabinet lights can automatically turn on when you open the door and or  can make...

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4 Easy Maintenance Home Upgrades
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These four upgrades make home maintenance a breeze! They seriously cut down on cleaning, repairs, and frustration when owning a home. Light Color Flooring Choosing a lighter shade for your floors is one of the easiest ways to keep your...

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We Uncovered $5M Home Ideas Anyone Can Add…
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We Uncovered $5M Home Ideas Anyone Can Add…

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5 Overlooked Pool Area Features You’ll Wish You Had
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5 Overlooked Pool Area Features You’ll Wish You Had

A well-designed pool area isn’t just about the pool. These five features take your outdoor space from basic to built-for-real-life. If you're in the planning phase, now’s the time to think through how the entire space will function long-term. Covered...

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