I know of some commercial properties where the Geotechnical Engineer was fired because the builder thought the foundation design was "too conservative" (too expensive).

I am fairly new to the real estate development/home builder market.

Michael:  I paid $500 bucks for some remodeling plans (yucca valley architect who is quas-retired) and he connected me to engineer/ and Title 24 guy  (new construction also requires soil test engineering and sometimes water flow testing for the water district)but I think 1000-1500 is probably  low end and 3500-5000 is high endI'm working on a hew house in pioneertown and I'm interviewing builders/general contractors (who have plans in their archives that were approved) -many plans approved in 2015 aren't valid.. because of the Title 24 increases every year and the 2016 codeNathan: exciting. yucca NEEDS some new apartments!

Is a Builder's Risk, vacant dwelling all I "need"?

The VA also has a one-time close construction loan SF only, this is a beautiful tool if you find a lot that needs a house, the builder takes all the risk and you just sign papers and get a key- if done correctly it would be a home run- I see on Zillow today a three lot sub for $183K in Chula Vista if you have other VA friends you might get a great deal from a builder.

Many flat parts but the landscape here is such that the home builders are used to putting houses on 30 degree slopes....  

I spoke to another bank who said that going the FHA route brings all kinds of headaches  that aren't worth it and if I can come up with another 1.5% going conventional at 5% would be much better with less build restrictions although my builder said they are technically an FHA approved builder whatever that means.One Bank told me that I'd be better off going the hard money approach and putting 10% down for new construction but I always felt hard money is such a rate rip off.If any of you guys have any helpful financing solutions please let me know.My other issue is that in order to build one of these I'd like it to be in an area that is cool..location location location but a.

Our liberal state creates more headaches and costs of doing business for builders so it increases the cost for new construction. 

Does this builder even have any relevant references for a project of this size?

Kajal Aggarwal You need a builder.