The Process of Building a House

Anyone who has ever had the privilege of building a house can tell you what an extraordinary experience it is. It’s a journey from an idea in your head to a finished home that takes many months of hard work. Understanding the process, and being prepared for it, can help make it less stressful, and more enjoyable.

The first step is to establish a good working relationship with your project team. This entails an introductory meeting and a design interview to ensure that your personalities, communication styles and work processes align. This also gives you the opportunity to determine whether you can see yourself working with these people for the duration of your project, as this is critical for a successful partnership.

Once you have an agreement with a project designer, the next stage is to develop a schematic design for your new house. Essentially, this is a list of what the structure should contain, which includes a breakdown of basic rooms and features. The resulting document is used by the home builder and designer to design what will eventually become your home.

This can take up to six weeks, depending on the complexity of your design and the weather conditions. After this phase is complete, the foundations and slab will be laid and then trades can begin to frame the building – either minimum code or high-performance framing – which generally takes 2-6 weeks. Once the skeleton of your house is built, it will be made water tight and then essential systems can be installed, including HVAC, plumbing and electrical. This can take 1-2 months and may overlap with the finish stages.

During the second fix stage, attention is turned to finishing the interior of your house, determining flooring and paint colours. At this stage, it’s also a great time to consider any large appliances and home systems you want to install, such as air-conditioning, solar panels and water-saving fixtures.

When determining what finishes to go with, consider the style of your home as well as your lifestyle. For example, if you love to entertain, you might want to include an open plan kitchen and living area. If you have children, you might want to incorporate a playroom or study.

You will also need to consider any furniture you plan on purchasing for your home, as this will be a deciding factor in how much space is required. It’s best to take measurements of any existing pieces you plan on using, and then choose a new set of dimensions based on these. It’s also a good idea to list any new items you need, such as sofas and dining tables.