The Basics of a House Project
Whether you’re building your dream home or just moving into a new house, it’s important to understand the construction process and timeline. Your contractor should provide you with a timeline that’s tailored to your specific project, but there are some steps that are typically included in every home build.
Before construction begins, your contractor must submit building plans to the appropriate zoning or land use authority and obtain necessary permits. This can take several weeks or months depending on the complexity of the build and how quickly your local authorities respond.
Once the permit process is complete, your builder can begin work on the actual foundation of your house. This includes pouring the footer, laying the foundation, and constructing the framing. Your builder will also put up a temporary roof to keep rain and debris out of the house as it’s being built.
The next step in the house-building process is to install plumbing, electrical, and ductwork. This can add a few weeks or months to the schedule, depending on how many rooms your house has and the complexity of the wiring.
This is a good time to revisit decisions you’ve made about interior finishes and materials. You might want to change the color of paint on a bedroom wall or choose a different floor material for the living room. This is also the time to consider window and door styles and how those will affect your budget. Higher-quality windows and doors will cost more but may add to the longevity and energy efficiency of your home.
Seeing the “skeleton” of your house taking shape can be very exciting. The concrete foundation and framing should be complete by the end of this phase, assuming there aren’t any delays from weather or other factors. Municipal officials might need to inspect the foundation and grant clearance before your builder can continue.
Once the framing is done, your builder will install exterior sheathing to protect the frame and add insulation. This can add a few weeks or even months to your construction time, depending on the weather and how quickly your builder gets materials to the site.
In recent years, there have been shortages of some building materials, driving up prices and adding to the total construction costs. If you’re building with these materials, consult with your builder to see if they are in stock or if you need to order them from outside sources.