Guides to building here

Guides

• How do you check a contractor's license in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC?

  Use the public record where the house stands, which is MHIC or the home builder registry in Maryland, DPOR in Virginia and DLCP's Scout in DC.

• How does a commercial tenant build-out work, from lease to opening?

  A build-out runs from test fit and lease terms through design, permit review, construction and inspections to an occupancy certificate before opening.

• What drives the cost of a custom home?

  The site, size and shape, structure, finishes, systems, soft costs and contingency drive cost far more than any single price per square foot shows.

• How long does it take to build a custom home in the Washington, DC area?

  Longer than construction alone, because lot checks, design and permit review all come before the first excavation and vary by jurisdiction.

• Design-build or architect plus contractor: which is right for your project?

  Design-build suits owners who want one accountable firm and an early price; a separate architect and contractor suits those who want independent design.

• What rules apply when you tear down a house and build a new one in the Washington, DC area?

  Zoning, demolition permits, tree laws, stormwater rules and historic review all apply, and each county, town and the District sets its own.