The Process Of Building A Home
Once you hire a contractor to start building a home for you, there is a standard sequence of events that takes place. I think it's a good idea for you, the homeowner, to know what to expect. If you haven't done this before, you're probably curious. Before building a home, you've bought the land, have financing in place, designed the house, gotten approval from the building department, received your contractor prices, and have made your choice of which builder to use. You have given the builder a down payment. Now the ball's in his court, but it's okay for you to know what's going on during the building process. So here it is. The time frames indicated are typical averages for each segment of work, and much of the work happens simultaneously. The overall duration for building a home will depend on the size of the house and the size of the crews, but moderately sized homes will usually take 4 to 6 months. Mansions (over 8,000 square feet) could take up to 2 years.
SITE WORK - The lot has to be cleared of all underbrush and saplings that you elected not to retain. - The area that will be excavated for your foundation will be staked. - Earth moving machines will excavate for your foundation. - Conduits (pipes) will be brought from the curb to where utilities will enter the house. - Temporary power will be provided. Either the contractor will bring a generator, or his electrician will set up a temporary electrical connection. - A portable bathroom will be delivered to the site and placed in an out-of-the-way place. - A dumpster will also be delivered and placed off to the side, near the excavation. - Some grading should be done to provide a path for trucks to make deliveries. It's a good idea to do this where the driveway will be, and have the future underlayment (usually gravel) delivered and spread over the driveway area. This will minimize erosion when building a home during bad weather.
TOTAL DURATION = 5 WORKING DAYS. SIDE NOTE: In the case of a total renovation of an existing house, the demolition and rubbish removal phase would take the place of site work. All durations would probably be less than those for building a home, with minimal rough-in work and a concentration on the finish work. Comparable overall duration for this type of project would probably be 8 to 10 weeks. FOUNDATION WORK - Dig footings, pour footings, and pin footings. - Install drainage pipes & gravel (if specified on drawings). - Pour the slab. - Build forms and pour concrete walls (or lay concrete blocks). - Pour garage slab ( and any other slab under parts of the house not having a basement). - Install waterproofing and vapor barrier (if specified on drawings). - Backfill the dirt and do rough grading throughout the lot. - Install lolly columns and steel girders. TOTAL DURATION = 20 WORKING DAYS
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- First floor deck is built. NOTE: This is typically where the 2nd payment is made. - Framing is performed in this sequence: first floor walls; second floor deck; second floor walls. - Roof trusses are installed. - The roof is framed and sheathing is installed. - Windows and doors are installed. - Staircases are installed. A framing inspection should be made by the building department at this time. TOTAL DURATION = 16 WORKING DAYS MECHANICAL ROUGH-IN (HVAC, electrical, and plumbing) - Installing indoor HVAC units. - Provide rough-in for the heating and cooling. - Plumbing rough-in work is performed. - Electrical rough-in work is performed. - Electrical service panel is installed. - Electrical wiring, and boxes for fixtures, switches, and outlets are installed. - Rough-in work for alarm systems, telephones, television and computer cabling, and central vacuum (if specified on drawings), are all done at this time. Many "smart" items can be included when building a home today. A mechanical inspection should be made by the building department at this time. TOTAL DURATION = 13 WORKING DAYS ROOFING - Install felt paper. - Install shingles (or other specified roofing material). NOTE: This is typically where the 3rd payment is made. TOTAL DURATION = 5 WORKING DAYS EXTERIOR FACADE - All facade material (vinyl, brick, stucco, etc.) is installed. - Exterior trim is installed. - Leaders and gutters are installed after the trim is painted. TOTAL DURATION = 12 WORKING DAYS INSULATION - Insulation is installed in all exterior walls and attic floor. Hopefully, the drawings also specify vapor barriers, UV barriers and R ratings that meet today's standards for building a home. - Caulk and seal throughout. TOTAL DURATION = 2 WORKING DAYS FINISH CARPENTRY (drywall) - All sheetrock is installed. - All sheetrock is taped and spackled (spackle should have 3 coats, with adequate drying time and sanding between coats). - Spackle gets final sanding and pointing. TOTAL DURATION = 10 WORKING DAYS FLOORING - Clean and prepare all sub-floor surfaces. - Install all flooring. This involves multiple trades for ceramic, hardwood, carpet and vinyl. TOTAL DURATION = 11 WORKING DAYS PAINTING - Apply primer to all walls, ceilings, and trim (base and wall moldings). - Apply 2 coats to walls and ceilings. - Apply finish coat to trim. - Paint exterior trim. TOTAL DURATION = 8 WORKING DAYS INTERIOR FINISHES - Install all doors and door hardware. - Install all interior trim and casings. - Install cabinetry, including cabinet door hardware. - Install bathroom mirrors. - Install appliances. NOTE: This is typically where the 4th payment is made. TOTAL DURATION = 14 WORKING DAYS
HVAC, PLUMBING, AND ELECTRICAL TRIM - Install HVAC registers and grills. - Install outdoor HVAC units. - Install all plumbing fixtures and faucets. - Connect appliances (both plumbing and electrical). - Install all switch and outlet plates. - Install all lighting and electrical fixtures. TOTAL DURATION = 7 WORKING DAYS EXTERIOR LANDSCAPING - Perform final grading. - Provide any sidewalks, patio, deck, etc., as specified on drawings. - Install and pave driveway. - Install any new trees and shrubbery. - Apply seed for the lawn. TOTAL DURATION = 11 WORKING DAYS AT THIS POINT IN BUILDING A HOME, YOU WILL HAVE YOUR FINAL BUILDING INSPECTION REQUIRED FOR A C of O. PUNCH LIST AND CLEANING - Walkthrough and punchlist (check exterior as well as interior). - Final paint touch-ups and completion of punchlist. - Interior clean-up. - Final walkthrough to insure completion. TOTAL DURATION = 3 WORKING DAYS NOTE: Final payment is due at this time. If you live in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, you should call McNeil Windows and Siding. Here's their ad: WE PROVIDE OUR COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES AND HOME IMPROVEMENT IN MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE YEAR ROUND! WINDOWS, SIDING, PATIO ROOMS, KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, ADDITIONS, DECKS, GARAGES, ROOFS, MASONRY, PIZZA OVENS(indoors and outdoors), PAINTING, POWER WASHING AND MORE!! WE DO IT ALL. url: http://www.mcneilwindowsandsiding.com Anything else you want to know about building a home, just click on this link.
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