New construction homes are the most exciting part of the building process for many people. You can see your home come to life before it is finished, and you get to give input on every corner of it! You must know what to expect during each stage so that you’ll be ready when things start moving quickly. Here are 12 steps in the new construction home process!
- Prep and Pouring: During the prep and pouring stage, your home’s foundation is being prepared before construction begins. This includes clearing the land where you want to build, setting stakes in place for reference points when construction starts, running survey lines around the site so that measurements are accurate, making utility connections available (i.e., power), digging footings, or piers.
- Framing: Framing is the beginning of your home’s actual construction. The foundation has been set and now you’re building out from that point! Framers will begin to build walls, install headers over doorways and windows (wherever there needs to be supported), and add trusses in certain areas.
- HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing: Air conditioning units can be installed during this step in construction if you so choose! HVAC technicians install ductwork that will transport heated/cooled air throughout your home’s interior. During electrical work, electricians run the electrical wiring that will power your home. They connect wires to outlets, switches, and fixtures; install smoke detectors; hook up telephone jacks (if applicable); run cable for TV or internet. Once the electricians are finished, it’s time to turn things over to your plumbers! Plumbers install water lines that come into your home from the street or wells, as well as drain lines for sinks and toilets. They connect water heater(s) to these drains.
- Siding: Now that your home has been framed, it’s time for the outside. Siding is installed on the frame of your house and provides a protective barrier between you and mother nature! There are many options for siding, but most choose vinyl because of its low maintenance qualities. If you are looking for local bricklayers near you, give Prosperity Construction Services a call.
- Insulation: Insulation is installed between your home’s exterior walls. Insulators begin by blowing cellulose (found in the paper-like material of old newspapers) into wall cavities or they can use foam board insulation to fill these spaces as well. It’s important to note that this step of the process can’t begin until other aspects have been completed first, such as running electrical wiring, plumbing, and HVAC.
- Drywall: Drywall is applied to the interior of your home. It’s not uncommon for you or your contractor to have a drywaller come out during this step in construction so that they can install wallboard on walls before painting, but it isn’t required.
- Painting: Painting usually takes place after the insulation has been installed and before the flooring is laid. Interior and exterior paint are applied to walls, ceilings, and trim.
- Floors: Your flooring is installed at this stage. Depending upon the type of floors you choose, they may be sanded and stained at a separate location before being brought to your home for installation.
- Finish Interior: Your home’s interior comes together during the finish stage of construction. This includes ceilings (trim and touch-up painting), flooring, and cabinetry work (if applicable), lighting fixtures, washer/dryer hookups, and anything else specific to your property.
- Exterior Finishing Touches: The exterior finishing touches on your new construction home can include landscaping, porch installation (if applicable), and painting. These typically take place after everything else has been completed.
- Inspection and Walkthrough: During the inspection and walkthrough stage, your home is inspected by building officials to make sure everything has been installed up to code. Your contractor will meet with you at this time as well so that he can discuss any changes or adjustments you’d like made before moving in.
- Move-in: Finally! You’re ready for move-in day!
Congratulations! You are now well on your way to making the dream of owning a new house come true. Before you sign that contract, it’s important to take time for some self-reflection and make sure that this is what you truly want. Do you have any other steps in between these 12 steps which may need to be taken before moving forward with construction? For example, do I have all my finances lined up? Did I get preapproved for financing? Do I know how much the monthly mortgage payments will be or how many years it will take me to pay off my home loan? These questions seem like they should only matter once we start building but knowing them beforehand can help us better serve you throughout the project.
Read also: Benefits of Having On-Site and Offsite Facilities for Construction Workers