12/01/2025

The House Project – How it Works

The House project is a ground-breaking initiative that offers people in care and leaving care the opportunity to build their own home. Through the process, they will develop skills and experience to help them into the next phase of their life. They will also gain a key asset – their own property that they can build on, and pass onto the next generation.

Building a new house is a major undertaking that requires a lot of planning and preparation. On average, it takes about seven months to turn blueprints into a finished house. Understanding the construction timeline is crucial for budgeting, scheduling, and ultimately, enjoying the process of watching your dream come to life.

First things first, the home-building process begins with purchasing land and submitting permits. Depending on the location, there may be additional requirements for things like zoning and topographical information. Getting the right information at this stage will ensure that the house plan fits the site and can be built within any constraints or opportunities.

Once the land has been purchased and the necessary permits have been obtained, excavation and foundation work will begin. Workers will dig holes in the ground to form a footing for your foundation, and then pour concrete to create the slab that will support your house. Once the foundation has been poured and inspected, workers will begin building the frame of your house. Most homes use platform framing using lumber, although there are more durable options such as steel framing that will cost up to 20% more. Your structural engineer will make -or help you to make- the call about what type of framing is best for your specific situation.

During this phase, your electrical wiring and plumbing systems will be installed. This includes things like lighting fixtures, appliances, faucets, tubs/showers, and toilets. Your contractor will also begin adding features to your home’s exterior, such as brickwork/stucco/stone/siding and gutters/eaves. This is the point at which you really start to see your home take shape, and it’s a great time to consider how you’ll decorate and furnish your interior.

Choosing a sustainable and modern house design can reduce your impact on the environment and offer you a more comfortable living space. Our 220m2 house project – 101404 is a good example of such a design, as it meets modern requirements while promoting durable and sustainable materials that can reduce energy consumption and utility bill costs in the long run. As such, it is a smart and affordable choice for those who want to live in a contemporary and functional house that can be passed down for generations to come.