FHA-approved 203(k) Consultant ID D1293Independent field documentation(817) 676-2657

Resource center

Housing Renovation and FHA 203(k) Resources

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01

Homeowner renovation preparation checklist

  • Record the property address, goals, dates, occupancy plan, and access contact
  • Separate known required repairs from desired improvements
  • Gather inspections, seller disclosures, plans, bids, and specialist reports
  • Build a realistic repair range and contingency conversation
  • Identify permit, design, engineering, environmental, or specialty questions
  • If financing is involved, confirm the lender and program before relying on assumptions
  • Do not begin financed work before required written authorization
02

FHA 203(k) preparation checklist

  • Confirm an FHA-approved 203(k) lender
  • Ask whether the file is Standard, Limited, or still under review
  • Confirm whether the lender must select or accept the consultant
  • Prepare the property address, known repairs, desired improvements, and timing
  • Gather contractor proposals and available supporting reports
  • Follow the lender's written authorization before work begins
03

Lender documentation checklist

  • Referral and assignment details
  • Current consultant roster verification
  • Loan track and property eligibility
  • Feasibility request, if any
  • Initial inspection access and property documents
  • WWU, exhibits, and specialist reports
  • Aligned contractor proposal
  • Appraisal and underwriting conditions
  • Escrow, draw, change-order, and closeout controls
04

Contractor onboarding checklist

  • Company and licensing documentation required by the lender
  • Detailed labor-and-material proposal mapped to the approved work
  • Quantities, model or quality assumptions, allowances, and exclusions
  • Permit and specialty-subcontractor plan
  • Realistic schedule and draw milestones
  • Invoices, lien documents, photos, and evidence ready before each draw
  • Written change request before changed work starts
05

Top 10 mistakes in 203(k) projects

  • Waiting too long to assemble the team
  • Choosing the loan track from cost alone
  • Confusing feasibility with the final package
  • Treating the consultant inspection as a home inspection
  • Accepting lump-sum contractor proposals
  • Forgetting required work while protecting upgrades
  • Starting changes before approval
  • Requesting a draw before the site and file are ready
  • Ignoring schedule drift
  • Treating finished construction as completed closeout
06

How to read a work write-up

  • Confirm the property, borrower, version, and revision date
  • Understand which items are required and which are elective
  • Read every work-item description and completion standard
  • Check quantities, units, labor, material, and allowances
  • Trace permits, plans, engineering, and specialty reports
  • Compare every contractor line to the consultant scope
  • Use the draw columns as progress controls, not as a substitute for the approved baseline
07

Official sources

  • HUD Handbook 4000.1 and current updates
  • HUD Single Family 203(k) program page
  • HUD 203(k) Consultant Roster
  • Current FHA mortgagee letters
  • Current IRS standard mileage rates

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