Building Your Dream Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

It’s time to get started! You’re making plans to build your home, and you could not be more thrilled about this major leap forward! Are you aware of all the steps associated with building a brand new home from beginning to end?

Don’t be concerned, we’ve got your back covered if this is the case. We will walk you through every step of building your home step-by-step.

Steps 1-7: Finding, acquiring, and preparing the site

Step 1: Find and purchase the lot

Think about where you would like to construct your home. Are you more comfortable living in the countryside with a large yard or constructing in an existing construction site with utilities like electricity, water, and sewer located on-site?

However, you can’t just buy any vacant property that is not in compliance with the local ordinances on zoning where you intend to construct. Common designations for zones:

The Residential Areas: These are areas that are designated exclusively for single-family homes
Commercial: Spaces specifically designated for establishments such as restaurants and retail stores to run their operations in.
Industrial: Spaces that are designated to house factories.
Rural: Areas specifically designated to be used for agriculture.
Historic: Areas that are specifically designated to warrant the protection of historical structures or landmarks.
Environment: Areas that are designated to protect natural ecosystems
Aesthetic: Zoning codes provide the appearance of buildings that conform to the zoning code standards.

Step 2: Research the type of house you want

There are three categories of build available; spec homes, tract homes, or fully custom houses.

Spec Homes (speculative homes)

Single-family properties built for sale without an intended purchaser in mind are known as spec houses (speculative).

Early contract signing can allow for selections such as flooring, paint colors, kitchen appliances, and other features of a spec home.

Tract Homes

Tract homes refer to development projects wherein a developer purchases large plots of land and divides them up into individual lots for each community to construct homes on. There may then be architectural options planned specifically for that community which they’ll then construct houses on.

Tract homes may include single-family residences, condominiums, or townhomes.

Custom Homes

A custom home can be defined as any house built on land specifically designated by you and designed specifically by its builder to your exact specifications.

No matter the style of house you desire, it is wise to study the various floor plans available. When doing so, keep the following factors in mind:

Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Open floor plan or not?
The layout of the home
Number of levels or floors

Step 3: Research and hire the building team

Building a house can be an immense endeavor; on average it involves 22 subcontractors working to construct it.

As soon as your house plans are finalized, the first person you should hire is either a general contractor or custom home builder to oversee its completion. Their duties should include:

Estimating labor and materials requirements
Vetting and hiring subcontractors (some will maintain an internal team of subcontractors while hiring external subcontractors for electrical and plumbing work).
Subcontracting tasks
Making sure the team adheres to deadlines

Step 4: Get the required permits from the township

Before construction begins the contractor will call the municipal office to discuss the plans. They’ll know what permits are required and already have established relationships within the specific community, which could speed up the process.

The types of permits you’ll require could comprise:

Building permit ($1,200 to $2,000)
Electrical permit ($10 to $500)
Plumbing permit ($50 to $500)
HVAC permit ($250 to $400)
If a grading permit is needed ($100 to $1,000)

On a tight budget, obtaining permits yourself may seem appealing; however, doing this would classify as acting as the contractor and be subject to any issues during construction or inspections that arise from improper inspection procedures or any problems with construction itself.

Step 5: Clear the property

In this stage, the competent land-clearing company will clear off any debris, including brush, trees, plants, and stones to allow for the construction.

When trees, shrubs, or bushes have been cut down by our expert team Root systems should also be removed to prevent any future regrowth of the plants.

Step 6: Level the site

Once the land has been cleared, its clearing team will fill any holes or unevenness on the land by filling them and leveling out its surface before placing wooden stakes where a foundation should be constructed.

If the land features dips or hills, they will need to be graded to form a level surface that can accommodate your home and driveway.

Step 7: Prepare the land for the foundation or basement

With wooden stakes as guides, the team will dig holes and trenches for the foundation, utilities, and any septic systems (if applicable).

Steps 8-14: Building the envelope

Step 8: Install footings

Footings, usually composed of concrete or brick masonry, are commonly found with shallow foundations due to their ability to distribute vertical loads directly onto the soil. Footings typically extend wider than their foundation itself and sit one foot below their frost line (the depth at which your soil freezes in your climate).

Footing drains will be installed so that water drains away from the house and protects its infrastructure from potential damage.

Step 9: Pour the foundation

Once your footings are in place, your home will feature either a slab foundation, crawlspace foundation, or full basement (poured or constructed).

Curing of concrete will bring it to its maximum strength. This may take anywhere from 28-60 days depending on weather conditions; however, building can sometimes resume within a week of curing completion.

No matter the foundation type for your home, it must be waterproofed properly to avoid leakage or flooding issues.

Step 10: Install drains, sewers, taps

When the foundation has been set, drains, sewer lines, water taps and any additional plumbing required on the first floor will be installed by contractors. Finally, they’ll fill any trenches around it with excavated dirt gathered during excavation work.

Step 11: Have an inspection done on the foundation

After footings, foundation, plumbing, and electrical basics have been laid, an inspection will take place to make sure everything was completed according to local code requirements and meets every applicable specification.

An inspector typically will focus on inspecting:

The footing’s width, depth, and condition
Waterproofing
Grading
Reinforced bars

Step 12: Build the frame of the house

If the inspector gives the construction project the green signal The next step is framing.

It’s the moment you can get to see your house take form. The framing team will build the lumber to make the ceiling, walls, flooring, and roofing trusses. The process could take anywhere from approximately one to two weeks to be completed.

Step 13: The sheathing is applied to the exterior walls

The sheathing comprises large sheets of wood that are oriented as strand board, wafer board, or even exterior Gypsum, which is attached to the frame. It’s suggested to make use of half-inch plywood to strengthen the structure.

In some instances, insulation sheathing (rigid foam or cellulose-fiber panels) can be utilized for increased insulation. It can be connected directly to studs beneath that wood sheathing. It can also be positioned on the top of the sheathing of wood.

Then, the sheathing is wrapped with a house wrap, a covering that stops moisture from getting into the wood underneath to prevent the growth of the growth of mold and wood rot.

Step 14: Install windows and exterior doors

Once sheathing has been attached to the bones of your house, windows, and doors can be added easily.

When shopping for windows and doors, look for those certified as energy-efficient by Energy Star. Energy-efficient windows will help lower energy costs by maintaining consistent temperatures indoors no matter the temperature outdoors.

Steps 15-22: Installing critical systems

Step 15: Install the HVAC system

The HVAC technician will arrive to install ductwork throughout your house as well as an air handler, condenser, and trim work components.

Step 16: Rough plumbing

Plumbers will come into your home and run pipes between bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, and utility areas; as well as install sewer lines, vents, and bathtubs if required. They may even do this while doors and windows are being fitted in your house.

Step 17: Have an inspector evaluate the new plumbing

An inspector should inspect any work completed by licensed plumbers to make sure it was carried out appropriately and without leaks; and also ensure drain, sewer, and vent pipes pass a pressure test.

Step 18: Install electrical wires and panels

At this stage, all electrical work has been completed. Wires have been installed through walls and ceilings; the HVAC system (with thermostat) installed; fans, lights, electrical outlets, and external electrical work completed as well and the circuit breaker is operationally ready.

Step. 19: Get an HVAC and electrical inspection

Once HVAC and electrical work has been completed, an inspector will come out to ensure these systems work as intended and meet the code.

Step 20: The roof is put on the home

Sheathing of roofs typically occurs once exterior sheathing has been installed onto walls, at which time roofers will then install flashings and asphalt shingles; other materials, including clay or concrete tile, slate roof tiles, metal, and wood roof shingles could also be utilized at this point.

Step 21: Insulation is installed

Your choice of insulation depends upon its location in your home; typically insulation should be added to interior walls, the attic, basement, and crawlspace (or exterior walls if it wasn’t applied before sheathing was put up).

Insulation commonly comes in three varieties – fiberglass, cellulose, or foam spray insulation.

Fiberglass insulation is typically installed between walls, floors, and ceilings before finishing them off in an unfinished state. Available as rolls for easy application between studs, joists, and beams. Average costs range between $0.30-1.50 per square foot of fiberglass insulation installation.

Cellulose insulation can be installed into existing and enclosed walls as well as new open cavities in walls, unfinished attic floors, and hard-to-reach places such as attics or closets. Although cellulose can be poured directly into place via special machinery, its average cost per square foot averages $1.20.

Foam spray insulation works similarly to cellulose insulation in that it can be installed within existing walls, new wall cavities, and unfinished attic floors. An application typically uses either a spray container (for smaller areas) or a pressure spray product for large ones – and costs can range between $0.44-$6.00 per square foot of coverage area.

Step 22: Drywall is hung

Drywall can be found throughout a home’s interior walls and on its ceiling, as well as being attached directly.

Step 22b: The walls and ceiling are textured

Once the drywall has been installed, texture may be added using spray cans before priming to prepare it for painting.

Steps 23-32: Adding your design touches

Step 23: Walls are painted

Are we almost at the finish line with building our house?!? Almost.

At this stage, your walls will have been painted and it should begin feeling more like home.

If you are choosing an existing or tract home, your choices of paint color might be limited, while in a custom home, you have complete freedom over which colors to use and may even choose wallpaper for walls!

Step 24: Exterior finishes are installed

There are various kinds of siding available that you can install on your home.

Vinyl siding is typically the least expensive (roughly $8 to $15 per square foot), making it suitable for tract or spec homes, but other options might also exist such as cedar shake, cedar planking, or fiber cement siding options for custom projects.

Wood ($10.50 to $17.50 per square foot)
Fiber cement ($10.50 to $17.50 per square foot)
Stucco ($10.50 to $18.50 per square foot)
Brick ($12.50 to $22.50 per square foot)
Metal ($7.50 to $25.00 per square foot)
Stone ($17.50 to $45.00 per square foot)

Step 25: Flooring is laid throughout the house

Once the paint has been set, flooring must be laid throughout the house.

Flooring options vary considerably when building or purchasing an affordable spec or tract home; with custom homes, however, your imagination is the only limitation!

Step 26: Window sills and trim are completed

Once your flooring has been laid, trim will come next. Trim will be installed around windows and doors, along the floor, and, if desired, also around the ceiling (that’s called crown molding and adds an elegant look).

Step 27: Cabinets and vanities are installed

Installation of vanities and cabinets should follow as the next step for home improvements.

Homebuilders typically install builder-grade cabinetry in new home constructions; it offers basic but still attractive storage solutions at a very reasonable cost.

Custom cabinets may cost from $500 to $1,200 per linear foot! When making this choice, be aware of your budgetary constraints.

Step 28: Light fixtures, outlets, and switches are installed

After your electrical work is complete, light fixtures, outlets, and switches will be installed. They can be customized to match your style; or for now, choose plain white ones which you may upgrade later as desired.

Step 29: Countertops and appliances are installed in the kitchen

Countertops and appliances should come next in your renovation plans. There is an assortment of countertops you can select, with popular choices including:

Quartz ($50 to $200 per square foot)
Granite ($40 to $100 per square foot)
Marble ($40 to $100 per square foot)
Laminate ($40 to $80 per square foot)
Solid surfacing ($52 to $120 per square foot)
Recycled glass ($60 to $150 per square foot)
Butcher block ($50 to $100 per square foot)

Step 30: Bathroom fixtures are installed

At this phase, bathroom fixtures such as faucets, showerheads, toilets, heat register covers, and other features will be installed.

Step 31: Mirrors are hung

Mirrors can also be found throughout a custom home’s bathroom fixtures and in other spaces like walk-in closets and workout rooms (if there are such).

Step 32: Landscaping and hardscaping is completed

After investing so much thought and care into what goes inside your house, don’t overlook what lies beyond its walls! Don’t neglect its exterior!

Professional landscapers offer numerous landscaping services. These professionals can install sod, plant trees or flowers; create walkways; build decks/patios/garden walls, etc; as well as install walkways if required and more!

Make the most of it and transform your backyard into an enviously lush space! Now is your opportunity to turn it into an outdoor haven and win everyone over with your masterpiece!

Steps 33-35: The home stretch

Step 33: Final home inspection

A final home inspection is where an inspector evaluates every element.

They will double-check all plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems; and inspect doors, windows, the foundation roof, etc. If the structure passes the inspection they will award a certificate of occupancy which verifies it is inhabitable and safe to live in.

If there are any concerns with any components, an additional inspection may be required once all related problems have been rectified.

Step 34: Final walkthrough

The final walkthrough is your opportunity to tour through your house and ensure everything meets your standards.

Keep an eye out for anything that diverges from what was discussed or approved with your contractor and look out for any signs of damage during the final construction stages, such as gouges in countertops, dented or scratched appliances, deep scratches on hardwood flooring or damaged walls.

Step 35: Closing

If all goes according to plan during the inspection and you don’t find any issues during the final walkthrough, the closing process on your new home can begin in earnest! Congratulations on making it this far!

Conclusion

Make your dream home thrilling! This complete guide outlines all the steps from purchasing land until the final walkthrough, assisting you in turning your dreams into a stunning and practical reality. Congratulations on embarking on an exciting and rewarding project!