Phase 1: Planning & Design (Before Breaking Ground)
Pre-construction steps that set your project up for success. Each one builds on the last.
SIP panels speed up construction and improve quality. Here's the roadmap from planning to a weatherproof shell. A local builder you hire completes the assembly phase in 3 to 5 days once your site, panels and builder are in place. Your builder buys the panels directly from EPS at the price DreamStart quotes.
Best Houses covered how SIP barndominium shells are changing rural Missouri housing.
Source: Best Houses: SIP Barndominiums Revolutionizing Rural Missouri Housing
Define Vision & Scope
Determine size, style, purpose, and must-have features for your Homestead Shell.
Deliverables: Project Brief, Feature List
Land Acquisition & Site Prep
Secure property, conduct soil tests, and complete surveys.
Deliverables: Land Deed, Survey Reports, Soil Test Results
Financial Planning & Pre-Approval
Get construction loan pre-approval and establish your budget. Simultaneously research local zoning codes while securing financing.
Deliverables: Detailed Budget, Financing Pre-Approval, Max Loan Amount
Design & Blueprints
Work with architect/engineer to create final construction plans engineered for SIP panels. Builder creates final quote while designer finalizes engineering.
Deliverables: Final Blueprints, 3D Renderings, Engineered SIP Panel Layout, Detailed Cost Estimate
Permitting & Final Approval
Submit plans to local authorities, finalize loan, and obtain Notice to Proceed (NTP). Use county permit review time for final contract negotiations.
Deliverables: Issued Building Permit, Loan Closing, NTP & Draw Schedule
Timeline: 2 to 6 weeks (varies by county permit review time)
Phases 2 to 4: SIP Construction (Site to Shell)
Why SIP panels change everything: about 45 to 55% less framing time than stick framing (RS Means).
Site & Slab Prep
2 to 4 weeks
Panel Delivery
1 day
SIP Installation
3 to 5 days
Weatherproof Shell
Complete!
Why SIP Panels Change Everything
Site Clearing & Access
Clear site, establish temporary utilities, and create access roads.
Excavation & Grading
Excavate and grade for proper drainage and a level building pad.
Slab Pour (Your Contractor)
DreamStart provides your concrete contractor with a complete engineered slab spec package (anchor bolt layout, thickness, and load ratings) so the slab is built exactly right for your SIP panels.
Sub-Slab Utilities
Install underground plumbing and electrical conduit before slab pour.
Sill Plates & Layout
Install treated sill plates on the cured slab and snap the panel layout lines.
Wall Panel Installation
Crane lifts and sets SIP wall panels. Panels are raised, braced, and connected with structural splines.
Completing Your Shell & Interior
From roof installation to dried-in handoff. After that, the interior is yours.
Roof Panel/Truss Installation
Solid-Core SIP roof panels or engineered trusses are set; SIP roofs provide R-40+ insulation. Roof deck complete in 1 to 2 days.
Exterior Metal Cladding
Standing seam or screw-down metal exterior installed. The shell is now wind and watertight from the outside.
Windows & Exterior Doors Set
All windows and exterior doors are installed. The shell is now fully dried in and protected from weather inside and out.
Shell Handoff: You Take It From Here
Your local builder completes a fully dried-in, weathertight Homestead Shell. You then hire your own interior trade contractors or DIY at your own pace.
Once the Homestead Shell is dried in, interior work can proceed at any pace. The weathertight shell protects your investment while finishing work is completed on your timeline.
Process Questions
How long does the entire process take?
From your first Planning Call to a dried-in Homestead Shell is typically 4 to 9 months, depending on permitting and land prep. Once your site, panels and builder are in place, a local builder you hire (who separately quotes and performs the assembly) can raise the SIP shell in 3 to 5 days. DreamStart does not self-perform assembly.
Do I need to hire my own slab contractor?
Yes. You arrange your own concrete contractor. DreamStart provides a complete engineered slab spec package (anchor bolt layout, thickness, load ratings) so your contractor gets it right the first time.
Does DreamStart do interior finishing?
No. DreamStart is a home designer: we handle design, slab specs, EPS panel pricing documentation, and handoff materials. Assembly labor is separately contracted and quoted by a local builder you hire. Your builder buys the panels directly from EPS at the price DreamStart quotes. For interior finish work, you hire your own licensed electricians, plumbers, and finish carpenters (or a local builder of your choosing).
What states does DreamStart serve?
DreamStart is headquartered in St. Joseph, Missouri. We design for land in Missouri and nearby states; panels ship from Iowa. That includes Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Kentucky.