Here is a rough guide through the Home Building Process to give you an idea of what building your custom home would be like!
Things to think about before you begin
- Location
Location is so important when building your new home. There are many things to consider about the location, such as, you daily commute, lot sizes available in the area, school districts, and proximity to your loved ones.
- Budget
If you are running on a tight budget, or have been saving for this dream home for quite some time, it is important to come in knowing what your budget is. It is very easy throughout the construction process to make upgrades here and there, so it is important to be aware of your personal budget and do your best to stick to it!
- What you want out of a house
This is your custom home, it needs to be suited to you and your family's needs. Do you like to entertain and want a larger dining room? Do you have a lot of Christmas decorations and need some extra storage space? These are all things to think about before hand so your home can serve you and your family well.
Pre-Construction
- Buying a lot
- Developing and approving plans
- Getting a construction loan
- Acquiring the necessary permits
The timeline for pre-construction is very fluid. The reason for this is because it is contingent on many external factors (real estate closing, bank approvals, city and utility approvals).
Site Work and Foundation
- Clearing the building area (tree removal, etc)
- Digging a level area for the foundation and the necessary holes and trenches
- Installing the footings
- Forming and pouring basement foundation walls
- Water proofing
- Installing drains, water and sewer tabs, and plumbing needed to go into basement floor
- Excavated dirt is backfilled around foundation walls
Framing
- Walls, exterior and interior
- Rough stairs
- Roof
- Windows
- House wrap
Rough-ins
- Plumbing pipes installed
- HVAC ducts installed
- Electric wires for major and low voltage use installed
- Insulation installed
Interior and Exterior Finishes
*Many of these items will overlap.
- Drywall
- Doors and trim
- Paint
- Cabinets
- Hardwood floors
- Finished stairs
- Counter tops
- Tile
- Sinks, faucets, and toilets
- Light fixtures
- Appliances
- Mirrors and shower doors
- Security systems, sound systems, central vacuum system, etc.
- Siding
- Driveway
Landscaping
- Walks
- Patios
- Pool
- Pond
- Yard
We hope this Building Guide has helped you better understand the process of building your custom home. Please remember that this is just a guide. No two building projects are exactly alike. Many things can change the timeline and schedule while building a house (ex: location, design of home, availability of subcontractors and materials, and preference of the contractor). Please also keep in mind that this is just a rough guide, there are more specific things going on during the building of your home as well.