Interactive builder checklist
VA Construction Contractor and Project Checklist
The VA construction builder checklist organizes the builder documents, plans, contract, budget, appraisal, payment schedule, and completion items we review for a one-time-close construction loan.
Your selections stay in your browser, and you can print the completed page or download a clean PDF to share with your builder and our VA construction team. These are current PBT requirements, not a claim that the VA approves builders or requires every listed item.
- Interactive and printable
- Current construction checklist
- VA Builder ID rule corrected
- PBT Bancorp NMLS #257781
Want us to look at your VA loan options?
Tell us what you are working on and the best number to reach you. We will call, answer your question, and show you the next step. You do not need a credit check to ask.
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How do you use the VA construction builder checklist?
Check each item as it is collected, then use the progress bar to see what is still missing before submitting the contractor and project for approval.
Company, experience, and business credit
License, insurance, and payment documents
Plans, contract, budget, and property documents
Budget, insurance, and closing-cost inputs
Submission, corrections, and final approval
We complete two separate reviews before approval. One covers your finances and proposed loan. The other covers the builder, plans, budget, schedule, and finished-home appraisal. This checklist organizes the documents but does not replace the conditions for a specific loan.
Does a VA construction builder need a VA Builder ID?
VA removed the Builder ID requirement for ordinary VA-guaranteed new or proposed construction loans on March 31, 2025 through Circular 26-25-1. That change does not apply the same way to specially adapted housing grants or VA direct-loan programs.
The change did not eliminate state and local licensing or our contractor review. Under PBT’s current one-time close program, we separately check the builder’s experience, business credit, licensing, insurance, references, identity, tax information, and draw account. We then review the plans, signed contract, itemized budget, appraisal, insurance, and project documents.
Construction review
Need help organizing the builder documents, plans, and budget?
A dedicated VA construction specialist will call after you submit the short callback form. We will review the property location, land status, builder information, estimated construction amount, and expected completion date. We will then explain which documents are still needed.
Construction planning
Which resources should you use with the checklist?
Build the budget, run the one-time close calculator, and review the full program requirements before the contractor signs the final agreement.
Online worksheet
VA construction budget worksheet
Enter the land, site work, contract, contingency, insurance, draw, title, and completion costs in one place.
Open budget worksheet
Calculator
Estimate the proposed construction loan
Check the proposed land, construction, contingency, funding-fee, and permanent-payment figures before the builder package is submitted.
Open calculator
Builder guide
Open the complete contractor guide
Review the contractor approval, project approval, underwriting, draw, and completion requirements.
View builder guide
Start the review
Start the borrower and project review
Begin your financing review while you gather the builder documents, plans, construction contract, budget, and property information.
Start your review
VA construction approval checklist questions
Does the VA approve construction builders?
The VA does not approve ordinary construction builders through a Builder ID. VA Circular 26-25-1 eliminated the Builder ID requirement for ordinary VA-guaranteed new and proposed construction loans effective March 31, 2025. The builder must still meet state and local licensing rules and any separate lender approval requirements.
What does PBT review for contractor approval?
Our current contractor review requires at least three years of residential construction experience and ten completed homes, including five ground-up builds. We also review the company’s PAYDEX score, licensing, workers’ compensation coverage or exemption, general liability coverage, references, identification, W-9, and draw instructions. The current minimums are a PAYDEX score of 65 and $1 million in general liability coverage.
What documents are needed for project approval?
For the project, we review the plans, all four elevations, specifications, supporting engineering when needed, and the signed construction agreement. We also need a matching itemized budget, the proposed-construction appraisal, insurance, available permits, prepaid documentation, and any closing-draw request.
Can the Veteran act as the general contractor?
Owner-builders are not eligible under our current one-time close program. You must use a general contractor who passes our separate contractor review, and we must also approve the project before closing.
Are contractor approval and project approval the same review?
No, the contractor and project require separate approvals, and underwriting needs both before the construction loan can close.
What happens if the contract or budget changes?
Changes to the signed construction contract, matching budget, closing draw, credited prepaid items, loan amount, or interest rate can require updated project approval and a new interest-reserve calculation before closing.
When does the three-business-day project review begin?
The three-business-day target begins after we receive the one-time $425 fee, final plans, signed contract, budget, appraisal, and required builder documents. Missing information or later changes can extend the overall timeline.
Does builder’s risk insurance replace general liability coverage?
No, builder’s risk protects the construction project, while contractor approval separately requires at least $1 million in general liability coverage.
Check the documents before submitting them
Call 888-435-7315 to discuss the location, builder, budget, expected completion date, and documents still needed, or request a call through the form.
Last reviewed July 20, 2026.