RE46R05: Residential New Construction

A Description of Residential New Construction

OBJECTIVES:

Presented during one (1) two (2) hour session for the specific purpose for increasing the knowledge and understanding of persons holding a real estate salesperson or real estate broker license within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who work within the field of residential real estate, so they may:

  • Better assist consumers considering the purchase and remodeling, alteration or renovation of an existing dwelling
  • Better assist consumers considering the purchase of a new construction dwelling
  • Better assist land owners, builders, and developers by gaining an understanding of the very complex subdivision approval process

CONTENTS:

  1. REMODELING/ALTERATIONS (Changes to the dwelling but not the footprint)
    1. Description of the current conditions
    2. Proposed plans and specifications
    3. Bidding and acquiring quotations
    4. Contractor license requirements
    5. Contractor registration requirement
    6. Contracts, Warranties, and Change Orders
    7. Insurance requirements
    8. Permits
      • Work that does not require a license but still requires a permit
      • Building Department
      • Other Departments and Agencies
      • Bonds
  2. AN ADDITION (Changes to the footprint of the current dwelling)
    1. Description of the current conditions
    2. Proposed plans and specifications
    3. Bidding and acquiring quotations
    4. Contractor license requirements
    5. Contracts, Warranties and Change Orders
    6. Insurance requirements
    7. Zoning requirements
    8. Permits
      1. Building Department
      2. Other Departments and Agencies
      3. Bonds
  3. THE NEW CONSTRUCTION DWELLING
    1. Understanding the current conditions
    2. Understanding the proposed new conditions
      1. Community Association
      2. Easements
      3. Covenants
    3. Purchase and Sale Agreement
    4. House Plans, Lot Plans, and Specifications
    5. Warranty
    6. The New Construction Process, from cellar hole to certificate of occupancy
    7. The buyer's selection process and the impact on the completion
    8. Financing new construction
    9. Change orders
  4. SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT
    1. Subdivision Control Law
    2. Local subdivision rules and regulations
    3. Other local bylaws
    4. The Wetlands Protection Act
    5. The conceptual plan
    6. The Preliminary Plan
    7. The Definitive Plan

REFERENCES:

  1. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 22 and Section 13A, The Architectural Access Board
  2. THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE BUILDING CODE, most current edition
  3. Title 5 of the state Environmental Code, 310 CMR 15.00
  4. The Wetlands Protection Act
  5. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41, Subdivision Control
  6. Sample Town Subdivision Rules and Regulations
  7. Sample Town General Bylaws
  8. Sample Town Wetlands Bylaws
  9. Building Permits and Workers' Compensation Affidavits per M.G.L. c. 152, 25C (6)
  10. Home Improvement Contractor Law, Chapter 453, Acts of 1991, M.G.L. c. 142A, and 780 CMR - R6

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