For those lucky enough to afford it, building your own home is an exciting, exhilarating milestone. Who wouldn’t love the opportunity to see their dream home come to life?

However, building your own home can be just as confusing and scary as it is exciting. With so much at stake, how can you be sure you’re getting it right?

While every home story will come with its unique requirements, problems and pitfalls, some general do’s and don’ts will help keep first-time builders headed in the right direction.

Do Your Research

Building a custom home is a big investment, so don’t skimp on the research and planning stages.

Before you look at a single house plan, try touring existing homes. Take advantage of show homes in your area and check out real estate listings that contain designs, floorplans or features you think you might be interested in. Not only will this help you figure out the difference between what sounds good and what you actually like, it will give you a point of reference when you begin to look at plans in earnest.

Don’t Pay Twice

Between price tags and building timelines, it’s tempting to just get the house done, settling for builder basic fixtures and details that you’ll update later.Building a home is expensive but there are two easy alternatives to paying extra.

Option one: Wait. Wait until you have more money saved and/or can afford a larger loan. Wait until you can afford the home you actually want, rather than wasting money and time living in a home that isn’t what you envisioned.

Option two: Work in stages. Figure out which rooms absolutely have to be completed before you move in and which can wait until you’ve saved a little more. Perhaps you’ll finish the kitchen, living room, master bed and bath first and take your time tackling additional bedrooms, bathrooms, offices and basements.

Do Use Your Skill Set

Make sure you take into account the skill base of your friends and family. Is your uncle an electrician? Do you and your brother have experience with cranes, crawlers or other power equipment? Are your friends willing to spackle, sand, caulk and paint?

By tapping into a network of reliable skills, you can find ways to (safely) save on construction costs by DIYing or working alongside professionals.

Don’t Hesitate to Call in the Pros

On the other hand, you want your house to be safe, structurally sound, up to code and built to last. Be honest and critical of your skill set. Rely on professionals for the tasks you don’t want to, can’t or just plain shouldn’t tackle on your own.

Do Think Long Term

What will your house cost to run over time? How efficient will it be? What will its impact be on your health and the environment?

Smart, energy-efficient choices for HVAC, windows, doors, appliances and other items are important upfront decisions that will affect your bills, home and quality of life for years to come. As stated above: do your research. Learn all you can about your options for everything from heating units to insulation to paint.

Don’t Forget About the Land

Proximity to work, family, good school districts and shopping centers will play a factor in choosing your property, but that isn’t all you should consider.

When looking for land — or making plans for land you already own — be sure to consider physical factors like elevation, slope, climate, soil type, trees and plant life. These and other considerations can greatly affect your choices for everything from foundation to siding to landscaping.

Do Stay Involved

Whether you’re dipping into DIY or leaving it all to the professionals, stay involved and informed on every step of the process. Keep in contact with contractors and do regular walk-throughs. It’s better to catch an issue early than deal with an unexpected and pricey setback later.

Don’t Ever Assume

Make sure you’re doing your research and seeking professional advice for every stage of the process: planning, purchasing, construction and more. Learn about everything to do with your construction, from timelines to materials to building methods.

Seek professional advice, but don’t forget the value of personal experience. Ask friends and family to share their experiences and hard-earned lessons from building their own homes.

Want a bit of bonus advice? Don’t let fear hold you back. If you do your research and seek help when needed, you can enjoy a safe, successful home-building experience that results in years of happiness in your dream home.