Guide to Building a House

Drive around your communityand snap photos of home exteriors you like. Make a Pinterest board of your favorite home styles and colors. Browse real  Hardie home in our Photo Showcase and save images to My Idea Center.

Search James Hardie® products and experiment with our Siding Design Tool to see how different products can transform your home's exterior. Use our Exterior House Color Visualizer to create a color palette. Once you've found your perfect color palette, use this guide to know what to expect as you start your project.

A builder can help you plan for your project's costs. Use our guide to find the right builder for your home.

Now that you have a budget, you can set the wheels in motion. Download our Inspiration Guide to discover which James Hardie siding is best for your home. Make a list of what you need to achieve your vision for it's exterior.

Once you have a game plan (for example, which shade of ColorPlus Technology siding is right for your home), list the exact materials and manpower required to complete your project within budget and on schedule. You are ready to choose your builder.

If the first round of builder meetings leaves you unsatisfied, keep searching. This process could take a while. Take your time. Builders are used to getting follow-up calls weeks or months after an initial meeting, and it's worth the wait to find a builder you trust.

Building a house is one of the biggest projects you will ever take on. That's why you've hired a profesional to help you through it. Establish ground rules for communication, so your concerns are heard and the builder can do their job.

After all that work, the project is complete. Now you can relax, celebrate and start thinking about what to plant in your garden and what color patio-chair cushions you need.