New Home Construction

Construction For New Homes

Have you ever wondered how a new house gets built? There are six construction phases, from start to finish, that you should know about.

It takes between 7 and 11 months to build a new home, from permit to completion. This is according to the National Association of Homebuilders. That is the estimate assuming there are no delays in the procedure. You should expect the timeframe to be changed if there are any delays, which occur often.

Here, we discuss the new home construction phases and estimate how long each phase will take. We’ll concentrate on residential construction.

A Guide to New Home Construction

Pre-Construction

An upfront strategic construction phase plan gives a visual outline of all the actions that will take place. The pre-construction period includes several activities, such as choosing a location, hiring a general contractor, and getting the necessary permits to start construction. These require a large number of resources.

Getting such materials to match the deadline can be difficult if you don’t plan ahead of time. Therefore, it seems to make sense to have a pre-construction checklist as part of the overall strategy before construction begins. In this manner, when each activity in this phase is accomplished, it may be checked off.

When constructing a new structure, the procedure is usually followed in a precise order. So let’s begin by emphasizing those stages.

New Home Construction Stages

Within the framework of constructing a structure, there are numerous moving pieces. Construction planning can be a complex undertaking, and it may seem as if the stages would never end. However, only a few stages are selecting a location, collecting quotations, and deciding on the interior design. Rest assured, though, that the steps follow a logical order, and the result is well worth the wait.

First, here’s a rundown of the stages of new-home development and what to expect at each one. Then, following the broad game plan, we’ll go over some of the key steps in further detail.

As previously stated, the construction of all buildings, including commercial buildings, will follow a similar timeframe and stage progression. For example, larger foundations, steel structures, and taller walls may be required in a commercial project, but the technique for building any structure is essentially the same.

• Stage 1: Excavation and Site Preparation

Before everything else, the site must be prepared for the start of home construction. The initial step in this stage is to clear the area of all debris, rocks, trees, and other natural obstructions so that the building can be constructed. This usually takes about a week.

The general contractor will use the architectural designs to layout the residence according to the property specifications. To finish this phase, they frequently hire an excavating subcontractor. The excavator will level the land and dig a hole to lay the foundation after the site has been prepped for excavation.

These timelines are estimates based on various factors, including the size of the project. Our estimates are based on a typical residential home; a much larger construction will significantly impact the timeline.

• Stage 2: The Three Fs: Footings, Foundations, and Framing

A solid foundation is crucial for any successful construction project. The next three steps are to lay footings, lay the foundation, and frame the home once the property is ready for construction.

Footings will support your foundation. Their installation and inspection are critical because they will bear the entire structure’s weight. They are traditionally built of concrete and reinforced rebar.

Once the footings are set and pass inspection, a contractor will pour concrete into the home’s overall foundation. This could range from a concrete slab to a crawl area to a full basement. The foundation serves as the backbone for everything else we’ll discuss below, which is built on top of it.

This step usually takes two weeks to complete, though weather circumstances may cause delays. Before the construction and roofing can begin, the concrete must dry and cure.

Next, it’s time to bring in the framing and roofing contractors once the foundation is in place and dry. They will construct the home’s structural framework, often known as studs. Exterior walls are built first, then floor systems, and finally roof rafters. The sheathing is then installed to safeguard the frame by covering it with a protective layer. Not only will your hands and eyes require protection, but so will your home!

Stage 2 is frequently the most exciting phase of the process since all of the construction plans are coming together, and you can begin to “see” the house. Framing can take anything from a month to two months to complete.

• Stage 3: Installing Electrical, Plumbing, And Heating And Cooling Systems

Builders begin work on the structure of the house at this point. All mechanical aspects, such as heating, air conditioning, ventilation, electrical, and plumbing, come into reality at this phase. The interior components must be installed before you begin applying insulation. This stage, often known as the rough mechanics’ stage, entails installing the house’s interiors. Examples are wiring for outlets, piping for water lines, and flowing vents for HVAC systems.

This step takes roughly two to four weeks to complete. The mechanical systems are typically tested after they are finished, and insulation installation can then commence.

Insulation installed (between the framed studs) during this step guarantees that the house maintains the desired internal temperature despite any drop in temperatures. This procedure also lowers energy expenditures and reduces noise from inside sources such as noisy televisions and outside sources such as traffic.

By now, the project is about halfway complete. The drywall can be installed after the mechanical systems have passed inspection and installed the insulation. The walls and ceilings of each room are defined by drywall, also known as sheetrock, which is affixed to the studs. It takes one to two months to complete the insulation and drywall installation.

Quality must be checked at every stage of a new construction or remodel. These inspections may appear to be a never-ending process, but they are necessary for safety reasons. This process also ensures that the building is completed according to the original plans.

• Stage 4: Cabinets, Flooring, and Other Interior Finishes

Now that the structure’s outside is starting to resemble the originally envisioned image, it’s time to finish the interior. Builders install cabinetry, flooring, trim, and molding at this stage. It’s also when contractors paint the inside walls, millwork, and cabinets after applying primer. Finally, faucets, tubs, toilets, sinks, and shower units are among the plumbing fixtures installed. Work on Stage 4 takes one to two months to complete.

The interior of the house may appear to be a complete disaster at this stage, yet there has been significant improvement. It’s now time to start putting in the countertops and kitchen cabinets. The installation of cabinets and countertops usually takes two weeks.

This stage includes Interior Finishes, Trim, and Moldings (Millwork). It’s an exciting stage since it’s at this point that the finer elements begin to appear. Interior trim, such as baseboards and window casings, is seen in almost every home. They hide joints and protect corners. The house is ready for the interior trim to be added at this point in the process.

During the pre-paint stage, millwork and cabinetry are primed. The house is then prepped and painted, including the walls. Painters usually begin with the trim before moving on to the ceiling and walls. After the paint, it’s time to finish the flooring, whether it’s vinyl, tile, or hardwood. Then, one of the remaining steps should be done. Finally, before laying the floor, all other trades should be completed.

By finishing this process last, you can avoid the potential damage that other actions, such as painting, can cause. Furthermore, you don’t want any more items than are necessary to move around on your new floor because they may scratch it.

• Stage 5: We’re almost there!

Now you’re almost there! All mechanical installations will be completed at this point, and appliances will be installed. Next, builders will finish the exterior, pour the driveway and walkways, then finish the landscaping to decorate the home once the interior is completed.

For the exterior coatings, masons arrive on-site to finish the home’s exterior by laying brick, putting siding, and applying other external finishes. This is also the time when the house’s exterior is painted. This step of the exterior finishes will take two to four weeks to complete.

When it comes to mechanical systems, components should be connected during this process. Sinks, toilets, and faucets, for example, can all be connected to the pipe system. The electrical wiring system established in stage 3 connects light fixtures, outlets, and switches.

Now it is time for the driveways and walkways. These are examples of flatwork.

The concrete workers return in this step. But, this time, they’re concentrating on the flatwork, such as pathways, patios, and driveways. Because of its capacity to make flat surfaces, concrete is favored in many applications. It will take around a week to finish this.

When it comes to landscaping, perception is reality, and nothing is more true than when a new facility is built. Grass, plants, and shrubs are all installed in this step. It’s what distinguishes the home and gives value to the overall property. Furthermore, well-planned landscaping around the new structure minimizes floods. The landscaping task takes around a week to complete.

• Stage 6: The Final Lap

It’s now time to put the finishing touches on your home to make it move-in ready. Before creating and completing a final punch list, your construction crew will clean up all dust and debris from the job site. After the punch list is completed, a final inspection is required before you can receive the keys and move in.

The entire job site must first be cleansed and all residual materials removed in preparation for your move. The cleanup process takes about a week to complete.

Next, a final walk-through is performed at this time, and everything is inspected. It’s the last chance to hire contractors to redo or finish any elements of previous steps that were missed. It usually takes a week to complete the punch list and conduct a final inspection.

In the final stage, the post-construction phase essentially began. Many people regard cleanup and punch lists to be part of this phase. However, there is one more activity that takes place in addition to those steps. The architect creates final documentation given to local government agencies to show that the building has been inspected and completed. A Certificate of Occupancy will show that the structure is complete and that all permissions have been obtained. Numerous others are involved and the client who is moving into the building. Architects and designers, contractors, construction laborers, and government employees are just a few examples.