Start with the checklist. Document the build. Preserve it forever.
100+ expert-vetted tasks across 9 phases — with critical watch-out alerts, decision timelines, and the order of operations that actually works. Upgrade to track your budget, store your photos, and keep your home's complete record for life.
30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked
Most checklists tell you what to do. This one tells you when, what to decide before it's too late, and what to watch out for.
Every task sequenced exactly as it needs to happen in the field — not alphabetically, not by trade, but by the actual flow of construction.
Eliminates costly reworkKnow exactly when each selection must be locked in. Cabinets at 10 weeks, countertop template after cabinet install — never miss a deadline.
Prevents schedule delays34 flagged items that homeowners and builders get wrong most often — from improper window flashing to bathroom fans vented into the attic.
Protects your investmentVisual progress across all 9 phases so you always know where you are, what's coming next, and what's still open.
Full build visibilityNo app to download. Use it on any device — at the job site, the design center, or the kitchen table.
Instant access anywhereWritten with custom home builders, structural engineers, and inspectors — not a generic template pulled from a contractor blog.
Field-tested accuracyUpgrade to Pro and Build Story becomes your complete home building companion — budget tracker, photo documentation, contractor contacts, warranty tracking, a time-lapse video of your entire build, and a lifetime home record that stays with your home forever.
Backfilling before waterproofing is inspected — the #1 cause of basement water intrusion, invisible until it's too late.
No dedicated circuits for kitchen appliances, laundry, and HVAC — discovered at trim-out when it's expensive to fix.
Skipping air sealing before insulation. R-value alone doesn't stop air infiltration — that's where most energy is lost.
Changing sink location after countertop template. The template is cut to the sink — moving it means a new slab.
Improper window flashing — the single most common source of exterior water infiltration and long-term structural damage.
Skipping lien waivers from subcontractors before closing. Subs can file liens against your home even after you've paid the GC.
I've built three custom homes and I still found watch-out items I'd never thought about. The lien waiver reminder alone saved me a serious headache at closing.
I send this to every client before we break ground. It sets expectations, prevents mid-build panic calls, and makes my job easier. Worth ten times the price.
The decision timeline feature is what I needed most. I didn't realize cabinets needed to be ordered 12 weeks out until it was almost too late.
One-time purchase gets you in the door. Add Pro when you're ready to manage your full build in one place.
🔒 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked
Want the full platform? See Build Story Pro — $24.95/mo →
Both. Build Story works whether you're managing the build yourself as your own GC, or working with a custom home builder. It gives you the knowledge to ask the right questions and hold your builder accountable at every phase.
Free checklists are typically flat task lists with no sequencing, no watch-out flags, and no decision timelines. This one is built around the actual order of operations, includes 34 flagged risk items, and was developed by people who build homes for a living.
Pro adds the full build management suite — a 61-item budget tracker with variance tracking, photo storage for inspiration and build documentation, share progress with your builder, and decision deadline reminders. When your build is complete, we compile all of your build photos into a time-lapse video of your entire home construction — from breaking ground to move-in day. The subscription then switches to $9.95/mo as a lifetime home record, giving you a permanent archive of appliances, warranties, paint colors, contractor contacts, and maintenance reminders.
The checklist is optimized for new home construction, but the rough-in, insulation, drywall, cabinetry, and mechanical trim-out phases apply directly to major renovations. Many customers use it selectively for large addition projects.
Full refund within 30 days, no questions asked. Email us and you'll have your money back within 24 hours.