Got the land when does the contractor come in?
Hello, I just acquired land in Dayton where a fourplex used to be. I would like to build there. What is the first steps in this process? A builder? An architect? A surveyor? Your recommendations for finding either. Thank you
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Nice — congrats on the land! Here’s how you want to kick this off: the first move should be checking the zoning.
If it used to be a fourplex, odds are good it’s zoned for multi-family, but verify with the city first. Dayton’s zoning department can give you a quick answer on what you’re allowed to build.
Once that’s clear, your first actual hire should be either an architect or a design-build firm. An architect can help you design exactly what fits on the lot and meets zoning rules.
A design-build firm handles both design and construction under one roof — that can simplify things, especially on a smaller project like a fourplex.
You’ll also need a surveyor early to map out boundaries, setbacks, and elevations — the architect can’t design properly without this. Sometimes architects have surveyors they work with.
For finding people, I’d start by searching “Dayton residential architect” and “Dayton design-build firms” on Google and checking their projects. Look for stuff similar to your vision (fourplex, townhomes, etc.).
Local Facebook groups and BiggerPockets forums can also be a goldmine for referrals. And definitely ask the city building department — they’ll know which firms regularly submit successful permits