Construction loans require standard income, asset, and credit documentation plus a builder and property package — executed contract, detailed cost breakdown, plans and elevations, builder license and insurance, permits timeline, lot docs, and an appraisal. VA files also need a Certificate of Eligibility. Expect more paperwork than a resale purchase.
Your personal financial documents mirror a standard purchase — pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, bank statements, and credit authorization. The difference is everything tied to the build: who is constructing the home, what it will cost, and what it will look like when finished.
The lender needs an executed builder contract, line-item cost breakdown, architectural plans and elevations, builder license and insurance certificates, and a W-9. A permit timeline shows when construction can legally begin. Lot documents — title commitment, survey, and deed — confirm you own or will own the land.
An appraisal based on plans and specs establishes as-completed value. VA construction files require a Certificate of Eligibility. Ryan and Steve send a program-specific checklist so you are not scrambling for documents at the last minute.
Organize your file into four buckets to keep the process moving.
Start gathering builder and property docs early — they take longer than pay stubs.
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Related guides on builder rules, land purchase, inspections, and fit.
Owner-builder rules and why most lenders prefer licensed GCs.
Financing lot purchase and construction in one loan.
Draw milestones, city inspections, and final CO.
Good-fit scenarios and when to consider other options.
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Ryan & Steve send a program-specific document list — borrower, builder, and property — so you know exactly what to gather before your construction loan closes.