Congratulations on the purchase, exciting milestone especially for a first landed home.
For a project this size the most important thing is getting the architect relationship right before anything else. A lot of people rush to get a builder first but your architect is the one who translates what you want into actual plans, handles URA submissions, and basically protects your interests throughout the build. Take your time interviewing a few, look at their past landed projects specifically, and make sure they actually listen to you rather than just pushing their own design preferences.
On the design and build route — it's convenient because one party handles everything but just be aware that the architect in that setup ultimately answers to the builder, not you. Some people are fine with that, others prefer to engage an independent architect separately so there's no conflict of interest. Worth thinking about early.
For the pool and double porch on 2200 sqft you'll need to plan the layout carefully because it gets tight once you factor in setback requirements and floor area ratio. Your architect will know this but go in with a rough priority list — if the pool is non-negotiable, say so upfront so the design works around it rather than it being squeezed in at the end.
Budget buffer is the big one. Most people doing a full rebuild on landed budget for the construction cost and forget about professional fees, hacking, temporary accommodation during the build, and the inevitable variation orders. Set aside at least 15 to 20 percent on top of whatever number you're given.
And visit the site regularly once construction starts. Not to micromanage but just so nothing surprises you halfway through.
