Land acquisition, permits, foundation, utilities, architect, and on and on but without the additional benefit of profit on the larger sq/ft you'd be selling.

Architects can be pretty expensive but you have the freedom to custom design something that can stand out.I think once I get a place, I can get a better lay of the land and maybe purchase a lot and go your route in the future.

It will also give you the opportunity to grow your network as you will be dealing with owners/developers, architects/engineers, and skilled labor on a daily basis.

I am a young architect and founding partner of the design/build firm Faros Design.Build.Remodel (FDBR).

I'm an architect by trade as well.

I am a licensed Architect in the State of New York who recently relocated to California.

Key was using a local and experienced architect within the town.We installed new foundation walls from superior walls and began out build.We went with a modern design, outside of our normal traditional colonial, but we feel it came out great.

Don't know where they are in the process, it may be done, but an excellent architect was used and a large investment made.

Ah- being an architect makes a difference.

BTW, they do not have to be done by an architect at this stage--your rough sketch should suffice.I made copies of the drawings and highlighted each system.