A grand design is just one consideration when building the home of your dreams.

Have you looked and looked for the perfect home, but can't find one that's everything you want it to be? Maybe you've decided that the only way you'll ever live in the house of your dreams is to build it yourself. Well, before you start scribbling out those napkin sketches of your dream house, there are a few things you should know.

Here are some facts from Bob Hale, President of the Los Angeles chapter of The American Institute of Architects.

• Home cost is just 70 percent of your budget. Many people overdesign their house and end up driving the cost way up. But the reality is that the house itself represents just 70 percent of the total building cost, so you shouldn't bust your budget on the design.

• Permit costs run 5 to 10 percent. By adding a new house to the community, you're putting more demand on services like sewer capacity, water, and even the local school system. Because of this, you should expect to spend 5 percent of your budget on the proper permits to build.

• Survey/architect costs are 15 to 20 percent. You might be a skilled do-it-yourself type, but you're not going to be able to build a house on your own. You'll need professionals like surveyors and architects, and their fees will account for between 15 and 20 percent of what you spend.

• Government regulations. Ownership of a piece of property doesn't make you exempt from regulations. Many areas, from coastal regions to the mountains, have numerous legal restrictions and regulations on building. Make sure you know the laws and regulations that affect your property before you even begin designing your home.

• Talk to your neighbors. Your project is going to have an impact on your neighbors. Be considerate and let them know exactly what your plan is. After all, friendly neighbors will make your dream home that much more of a dream come true.