Custom Home Building Steps

Before deciding if new construction is for you, you’ll want to learn about the process, from the initial land search all the way to selecting finishing touches.

1. Financing – Check with your bank to see what your options are for financing a new construction home.
2. Land – locate a lot or land to build.
3. Selecting a floor plan – In order to even apply for permits, you’ll need architectural plans. Talk with your builder to select the plans that will stay in your budget.
4. Land Prep – The first step in the construction process is getting the land ready. This includes clearing the area, digging trenches and making sure utilities are installed.
5. Footings and Foundation – Your foundation will be made of poured concrete reinforced with steel rods. You may have a slab foundation, crawl space, or a full basement. No matter what kind of foundation is poured, it will be sprayed with a waterproofing material and inspected by the city before framing begins.
6. Framing – In the framing step, the bones of the home start to take shape. Framing includes the floor joists, subfloors, studs that form the walls and roof trusses. During this step, the crew will wrap the house to protect it from moisture.
7. Plumbing, electrical and HVAC – Once the home is “dried in”, subcontractors will start installing the home’s major systems, including plumbing pipes, electrical wiring nd heating and cooling ducts. Each of these steps requires signoff from the local inspector.
8. Insulation – Insulation will be applied to exterior walls, basements, crawl spaces and attics. Fiberglass, cellulose and foam insulation are all options.
9. Drywall – Drywall panels are hung with screws, taped and mudded. Then the new walls are primed with paint.
10. Interior Finishes – In this step, most of the home’s interior features will be added. This includes doors, baseboards, casings, window sills, stair balusters, kitchen counter and cabinets, bathtubs, vanities, and hard-surfaced flooring. Interior painting and hardwood installation are sometimes done during this stipe, but they may be done later if there is risk of damage due to continuing construction.
11. Exterior Finishes – Driveways, walkways, patios and final grading to direct water away from the home, will all be completed. Landscaping and exterior decorating happen during this step too.
12. Fixture Installation – With the house close to completion, toilet, faucets, light switches, heat register covers, the hot water heater, the electrical panel and the HVAC systems are all installed. Many of these items require another round of inspection.
13. Flooring Installation – Carpet and hardwood flooring are added in this late stage.
14. Final Inspection – Once construction is complete, a final inspection will be conducted by the local building inspector.
15. Final Walkthrough – Before your closing at the title company, you will do a final walkthrough with your builder to identify punch list items that need to be repaired for the job to be considered complete.
16. Day of Closing – You will close on your property at a title company and receive the keys to your new home. Congratulations!