Consolidated Service is happy to provide this step-by-step residential construction plan to help you better understand the home building process before hiring a contractor.
1. Pre-Construction
Prior to breaking ground, your contracot will work closely with your architect to carefully analyze your blueprints one room at a time making the necessary changes you desire. Once you are 100% satisfied with the design of your new home, the construction process can begin.
2. Foundation
The first step to building you quality home is laying the foundation. Your contractor should take the time to analyze soil conditions and ground integrity to ensure a strong structural foundation is designed and laid out for your home.
3. Framing
The framing phase consists of constructing the main structure of your home, also known as the skeleton of your home. Once the first floor walls have been constructed, work begins on the second floor (if applicable) using engineered floor joists. Once the roof trusses are in place, the entire roof is installed.
4. Mechanicals
During this phase, air conditioning and heating materials, plumbing, and electrical wiring are installed. As mechanicals are being installed in your home, exterior work also begins. This consists of installing windows and doors followed by the addition of brick, block, stucco, etc. All mechanicals are inspected for quality of installation and for proper functioning. After inspection, poly seal is added to seal all openings exposed to the exterior of home for additional energy conservation. After all openings are properly sealed and inspected, insulation is added to exterior walls before the drywall phase begins.
5. Drywall
Drywall will be hung on the walls after all framing and mechanicals have been inspected by your contractor, city inspectors, and or a 3rd party home inspector (if outside city limits). The drywall phase will typically last anywhere from 2-5 days, depending on size and detail of home. Next, drywall taping and floating begins. During this process, attic insulation is installed.
Upon completion of taping and floating, all walls and ceilings are textured.
6. Trim and Final Details
The trim and final details phase is where you will begin to see the final personal touches you have chosen for your home. The walls are primed and painted, while interior trim, cabinets, counter tops and sinks are installed. The installation of all light and plumbing fixtures occur as well as all shelving, mirrors, and other bath accessories. All flooring (tile, carpet, wood, etc.) are installed as well as any remaining hardware fixtures, molding, etc. are installed. Final touches are completed followed by a cleaning of the entire home.
7. Homeowner Orientation and Final Walkthroughs
A good contractor will provide a homeowner orientation of your home to assure you are acquainted with how everything functions prior to moving in. During this process, a thorough walk through is done with each homeowner to assure your home’s details and final touches were done to your satisfaction. If not, a list of items will be created and they will do another walk through with you to assure you are 100% satisfied with your new home.