A starter is a first-ever home.

A step-up home is a bigger, better-appointed home than the one you're presently living in.

A custom is a house that is built to your specs.

Your dream home is built with everything you ever wanted or can imagine wanting.

1-Elevator

2-Hardwood throughout

3-Universal design/accessibility features

Make sure to have PDFs of your entire plan set (including your site plan) in your possession

Use email to communicate with everyone you ask for a bid so you have a paper trail

You can start with a binder with tabs to organize each trade's bids but realize that you'll likely want to move on to a file box that can hold a ton more while still being portable -- it will be your office in a box that keeps you organized and on-track.

I found it most efficient to organize my file box in the order tasks occurred/trades were needed.  So administrative stuff first (GC-related, construction loan docs, envelope for receipts, etc.), then excavation and foundation.  Then plumbing, framing, electrical and so on.

When I was getting to the final total number for the project, everything was easy to figure out because I kept all incoming bid information in a spreadsheet. 

Once you have a good bid for whatever material or material/labor, make sure every other bid you get is apples to apples.  Carefully review each subsequent bid and if you find it doesn't break down things in a way that you can really compare it, request a breakdown that will specifically allow you to do so.  If a vendor won't comply, I just wouldn't deal with them, period.  It probably means that there's profit padding in there that they don't want you to see and that isn't going to be good for you and your family.  Walk away and go on to the next, more communicative and flexible vendor.

• Look at local big box stores to decide what you like. Record model numbers, finish information and local price.
• Google or Bing search for the model numbers you want and see how low you can get that model number product for.
• Check bbb.org for any reviews of websites you're thinking of doing business with.
• Google "reviews <website name>" to find out what others are saying about a particular online store you're considering doing business with
• If you're buying a fair amount of stuff from a single place, ask for contractor or bulk pricing. Most will be willing to do something for you.
• If you aren't ordering a volume high enough to get you a custom discount, be sure to check out rebate sites like BigCrumbs or Ebates to see if you can get a rebate on your purchase. These are free to register with and pay out promptly per their guidelines.  Start your shopping session through one of these sites and, when checking out, don't forget to put in a discount code.
• When ordering on-line always check to see if discount coupons/codes are available for that site. Google/Bing "discount promo code <website>" and then run through a bunch of the results to see how big a discount you can snag!

cliqstudios.com - cabinetry

handlesets.com - hardware

faucetdirect.com - plumbing

homeperfect.com - plumbing, bath hardware

bbb.org

angieslist.com

ownerbuilderbook.com