5 Things We Bought Before Construction Started (and What We’re Glad We Thought About Early)
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We're sharing what we bought before construction in hopes it will help you in your journey. I'm talking before the first dig. Before the concrete trucks. Before the glamorous phase everyone posts online. Before all that, there's the real beginning of building a home: preparing for the messy part.
We recently cleared our lot and are just weeks away from foundation work. While construction hasn’t fully started yet, we’ve already learned something important: You do not need to buy everything at once.
You need a few smart things that make site visits easier, cleaner, and less chaotic. Some of these we already bought. A few are next on our list. All of them are practical. Because nothing says “dream home journey” quite like mud up to your ankles or burrs stuck in your clothes.
1. Good Boots You Don’t Mind Ruining
One of the first things I bought was a pair of Merrell boots for walking the lot. If your property is raw land, muddy, uneven, or full of brush or debris, regular sneakers become a comedy sketch quickly. A solid waterproof or durable hiking boot is worth it from day one.
What to look for:
- Waterproof or water resistant
- Good tread
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable enough for longer walks
2. A Car Box with Basic Tools
We keep a small box in the car with random but useful essentials. Nothing fancy. Just the things that save a trip back home. What we bought before construction includes:
- Tape measure (longer is better!)
- Work gloves
- Utility knife
- Sharpies
- Notepad
- Phone charger
- Flashlight
- Trash bags
This has already become one of the smartest low-cost moves we made.
3. Rubber Boots for Mud Days
There are “nice boots for walking the lot” days. Then there are “why is the entire property soup?” days. That’s where rubber boots come in. If rain is in your climate, buy these early. Future you will be thrilled.
4. Folding Chairs for Site Visits
We bought simple folding chairs to keep in the car. That may sound excessive until you realize site visits often include:
- waiting for contractors
- talking through plans
- watching progress
- sitting nowhere
Luxury is relative.
5. A Drone Camera for Progress Photos
One of our favorite early purchases has been a drone camera. It gives a perspective you simply can’t get from ground level and helps document progress over time. Especially on a larger lot, it’s useful for:
- checking grading progress
- seeing driveway placement
- documenting changes
- creating progress photos and video
6. On Our Next-To-Buy List: A Trail Camera
We live about two hours away, so we can’t casually swing by whenever curiosity strikes. A trail camera is next on our list so we can monitor movement, deliveries, and progress between visits. For remote builds, this feels less like a gadget and more like sanity.
What I’d Skip Buying Early
Not everything needs to happen now. I’d wait on:
- fancy organization systems
- design decor samples you may change later
- random “builder gadgets” social media tells you to buy
- anything without a clear use case
The internet loves to turn every project into a shopping spree. Resist bravely. Hopefully, starting your list by referencing what we bought before construction will help!
What Matters Most Right Now
At the earliest phase of building, prioritize items that help you:
- visit the site comfortably
- stay organized
- document progress
- protect your time
- reduce friction
That’s the real starter pack. The backsplash and the all-important Christmas tree location can wait. For now anyway.
What We’re Learning
Homebuilding begins long before walls go up. Sometimes it starts with boots, folding chairs, and a tote in the trunk. And honestly, that feels about right.
