STEPS IN BUILDING A HOME

A house is a product of so many hands which worked – separately and together – to create a masterpiece you will be calling your home. During the home building process, you will be enlisting the help of many different people with specialized skills and it is important that you have an idea of the steps in house building and the people involved during every step. What follows is your general guide to construction - although some may opt to change the order of the steps according to discretion.

PREPARING FOR CONSTRUCTION

1. Financing

First of all make sure you are able to spend for your building project. Remember that your budget is not just for the house building itself but extends to driveways, sidewalks, landscaping, fencing, and even some new furniture. Talking to your bank, or better yet, seeking the assistance of mortgage brokers will be very helpful at this stage.

2. House plans

There are some options here: either you find a suitable building lot and then a house plan to suit the lot, or first get your plans and later purchase a lot to suit the plan or thirdly, opt for a house and land package . A consultation with building brokers is vital here.

Take into account your lifestyle and your budget in choosing your plan. Hire an architect or a home design expert to design your house. Have several copies of your plan. Depending on the location, some subdivisions may have restrictions and requirements you need to comply with so make sure you abide by them.

3. The builder

Find a builder or contractor to assist you with the actual house building. This person will give you the price quotations that will best suit your financial capabilities without sacrificing your preferences. If you live in Queensland, Australia, you can try contacting Queensland Builders for example. At this stage your builder will contact every tradesman involved in the building process to coordinate with each of them the time they will have to come in to do their jobs . In certain conditions, an engineer may be called for.

4. Building permit

After your house plan had been approved, then apply for a building permit.

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

5. Excavation, foundation, plumbing, heating and electrical

It is very important that your house has well-prepared and sturdy foundation. After the surveyor has marked the site, the earthmovers come in and dig the hole for the foundation. Materials such as sand, gravel and lumber will be ordered at this point. Plumbers , heating and electrical tradesmen put in installations before concrete is poured.

Sewer and water hook-ups, backfilling and grading are done also at this point.

6. Slab, framing, trusses and roofing

At this time you should be sure of the layout of your house since later alterations could be difficult, frustrating and costly. Make sure that all the materials needed at this point are ready and available for the crew.

7. Electrical

Electricians now start with the wiring. It is important that they know the location of the cabinets. Bring the electrician around the house, giving explicit instructions where you want your outlets to be installed.

8. Doors and windows

9. Inspections

Along every step of the constructions, inspections are being made. Heating and plumbing, electrical, framing, and so on. Each of these trades will call for their own inspections. Your builder would know the schedule for each of these inspections.

Inspections could sometimes be frustrating because of delays with infractions but in general, the suggestions you may get from inspectors will be most helpful.

10. Overhead doors

11. Brick work

This is in the case when your house plan includes brick work or rock face. There are bricklayers who are experts in this particular job.

12. Siding, soffits, gutters, stucco

13. Driveway and garage floor

Works on the driveway, garage floor and sidewalks can be started as soon as the lot had been backfilled and graded. Use a rebar to reinforce the concrete in your driveway as to eliminate cracks later on.

14. Decking and railing

15. Landscaping

Landscaping experts can be consulted here to assist you in creating a beautiful exterior that will match the theme, concept and beauty of your house.

16. Alarm prewiring, insulation, drywall

17. Cleaning

The house should be cleaned thoroughly before the finishing works can be started. Professional cleaners can be hired to do an extensive work to make sure your house is prepared for the final touch-ups.

FINISHING WORKS

18. Finishing carpentry

At this point, the painter may want to paint mouldings or doors. If there is linoleum or carpet to be laid, mouldings should be put on before these are laid. Mouldings are used to hide or accent a wall, window or doorway.

19. Painting

Usually, the kitchen and cabinets are painted first before the cabinets are installed. Should you decide to do the painting yourself, there are a lot of help from paint shops and the internet.

20. Linoleum, cabinets, tile work

Staff agencies are now finding more jobs for tilers, cabinet makers and other people with specialized skills in this field. Make sure you get the services of the best of them.

21. Plumbing

Bathroom and kitchen fixtures are put in place. Works on sinks, taps and toilets are also done this time.

22. Closet organizers, light fixtures

23. Blinds and curtains

24. Hardwood floors, carpet, finishing touch-ups

25. Final inspection

You will receive your occupancy receipt after this final inspection.

These steps may not be altogether followed in sequence. For instance, weather plays a major factor to consider as there will be days when rain, snow, temperature, etc, would not permit some works to be done. However, in general, these twenty five major processes will have to be done.

It seemed tedious and overwhelmingly complex when you look at all the steps that are to be taken whenever you decide to embark on building a house . But when you get to see the outcome of all of your efforts (and the money you spent), you will be completely rewarded with that wonderful feeling of accomplishment.