Start of Construction Checklist

David B. South • Published • Residential Plan and Design

Before starting the construction of a Monolithic Dome, each of the items in this checklist must be in place.

  • Land Acquisition – If you don’t have land, the easiest way to find it is through a real estate agency, land broker, developer, or lending institution operating in the area you wish to live.
  • Feasibility Study – It’s a detailed report including a floor plan with elevations, notes and basic cost estimates. We go back and forth until our design and your desires match.
  • Constructions Drawings – These are the drawings necessary for contractors to construct the Monolithic Dome and required subsystems (plumbing, electrical, etc.) as required by the local building authority.
  • Obtain Financing – Set an early budget. Once you have completed pre-approval and are approved for a loan, begin searching for the best interest rate.
  • Building permits, special fees and licenses, insurance – In some areas, these are easy to get and construction requires no or few inspections. In other areas, construction can require specific inspections and approval, soil conditions verified, lab tests arranged, Stamped Engineering, etc.
  • Property Corners – Should be marked and building location staked.
  • Roads – An all-weather road needs to handle heavy, concrete trucks, especially to pump location.
  • Sanitary Facilities – There needs to be a sanitary facility onsite for workers.
  • Site Preparation – It needs to be completed, including leveling and/or pad build-up. Fill, if needed, should be brought in and packed. Generally, the best form of fill is granular fill (sand or gravel).
  • Adequate Drainage – It should be provided and able to handle a major storm.
  • Special Embeds – These should be on site with locations designated, if needed.
  • Water Provided – Water is needed to clean tools and mix concrete. If it is not available at the site, you must arrange for it to be hauled in by truck or tank fitted with a pump.
  • Power – Construction power per Proposal must be onsite and turned on.
  • Refuse Disposal – Refuse disposal arrangements should be made.
  • Additional Grading – After the dome is finished, additional grading may be needed for driveways and/or landscaping.

Note: For more information on these items, please review the article, How to Get A Monolithic Dome Home.

Updated November 2008