35 Steps to Building a House – A Complete Guide

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You are finally building your own home! The decision to do so is significant, and you have no idea where to start. Do not worry- we’ve done some research to provide you with a list of the 35 steps of building a house.

Stages of Building a House

Step 1: Find and purchase the lot.

The first step in building a house is buying the plot of land for your new home.

Where would you like to build? What part of the country, city, or outside of the city? Which features would you like for your home to include? A large yard and acreage? Do you want to build with a developer in a growing community?

When considering where to purchase a lot, consider the zoning ordinances. The land must be zoned for residential lot development when you are building your own house.

Step 2: Start researching the type of house when building your own home.

There are three types of homes available; spec (speculative) homes, tract homes, or fully custom homes.

Spec (speculative) homes

Spec homes are single-family homes, usually built in large quantities within a designated residential lot community by a developer. The homes are meant for several buyer types without any customizations in mind. Due to the lack of customization, these homes will be less expensive than custom homes when you build a house.

In some cases, if you buy the spec home before construction is completed, you will likely be able to choose features like flooring, paint, kitchen appliances, and other finishes.

Tract homes

Tract homes are built on large plots of land divided into lots by a developer. The houses are then constructed from specific architectural options with various features and planned price points for that community for homeowners buying their own homes.

Custom homes

Custom homes are what they sound like- completely customized homes built in collaboration with a builder when you build your own house. The benefit of these homes is you can get what you want with many options, but the cost is also much higher.

Step 3: Research and find your building team.

Building a home can be a monumental task, so you will likely want to hire a builder to manage the project. Sometimes, building a home takes up to 22 subcontractors!

The first team you will want to hire is your general contractor or a custom home builder. These groups specialize in exactly what you will need. Their duties include:

• Gathering estimates for labor and materials
• Hiring subcontractors
• Assigning tasks to subcontractors
• Making sure the team meets deadlines

Step 4: Get the required permits from your city.

Before you begin the construction stages on your new house, you must get permits from the city to start any work on your house. Your GC or homebuilder will manage this process on your behalf. Permits you will need could include:

• Building permit
• Electrical permit
• Plumbing permit
• HVAC permit
• Grading permit (if required)

You can get the necessary permits yourself if you are on a budget. However, you will be deemed the contractor and may be liable for any injuries or problems when the home is under construction.

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Step 5: Clear the property

Before you build your new home, a land-clearing team will clear the property to set it up for construction. First, they will remove vegetation, trees, brush, and other debris. With the removal of trees and shrubs, stumps and root systems will also be removed.

Step 6: Level the site

The land-clearing team will then level the dirt to be flat and fill any holes. They will then add wooden stakes to mark the area for the foundation for the construction of your new house. The land needs to be as balanced as possible for an even foundation pour.

Step 7: Get the land prepared for the foundation.

The team will dig holes for the foundation and utilities.

Step 8: Footings are installed to build your home

Footings are created from concrete or brick masonry. They are used with shallow foundations to distribute weight.

Step 9: The foundation is poured in this construction step to build a new house

Your home will have one of three types of foundation:

• slab foundation
• a crawlspace
• a full basement poured or constructed

The concrete is cured to reach maximum strength, taking anywhere from 28 to 60 days based on weather conditions. The building can resume one week after the concrete is cured.

Step 10: Install drains, sewers, taps

Once the foundation is cured, drains, sewers, and other plumbing features are installed.

Step 11: Foundation is inspected for your new house build.

The inspector will ensure the foundation, plumbing, and electrical basics are done correctly and follow local code requirements.

Step 12: Framing is started as part of construction on the new house.

After the inspection is completed, it is time to go vertical with the framing!

The frame provides the outline of the walls, and your home’s construction becomes more visible at this point. Framing includes the wood for the walls, flooring, ceiling, and roof. It will take one to two weeks to complete.

Step 13: Exterior walls receive sheathing

After the frame is created, large sheets of wood, oriented strand board, wafer board, or exterior gypsum nailed to the structure will be added as sheathing so you can see the construction of the building coming together.

In some cases, insulation sheathing will be added to improve insulation. The insulation is attached directly to the studs and can also be attached to the wood sheathing.

Step 14: Install windows and exterior doors

Once the sheathing is attached to the home’s frame, the windows and doors can be installed on the new home you are building.

Opt for energy-efficient windows when you shop for windows and doors to help lower energy costs.

Step 15: The HVAC system is installed

The HVAC technician will install ductwork, the air handler, the condenser, and trim work for your new home build.

Step 16: Rough plumbing is installed

A plumber will add pipes to the house, including the bathrooms, kitchens, laundry room, and the installation of sewer lines.

Step 17: Plumbing inspection

Once all of these components are installed, it is time for another inspection. The inspector will ensure the frame, sheathing, HVAC, and plumbing are all installed correctly during this step of the new construction of your home. In addition, they will look to make sure the drains, sewage, and vent pipes pass a pressure test.

Step 18: Install electrical wires and panels

After the home passes inspection, it is time for the entire electrical work to be completed, where the electrician will run wiring through the walls and ceilings for the new house build.

Step. 19: Electrical and HVAC inspection

After the HVAC and electrical work are done, an inspector will ensure these systems work correctly and are completed to code.

Step 20: Add the roof to the house

The sheathing for the roof will be completed during the sheathing step, but the actual roof is attached in this step. The roof will be completed with the installation of the flashings and shingles for the housing structure.

Step 21: Insulation is installed in the new home

The home’s walls will need to be insulated to protect against exterior elements and support the home’s heating and cooling. Insulation is usually placed in interior walls, the attic, basement, crawl space, and exterior walls. Insulation may include fiberglass, cellulose, and foam spray.

Fiberglass is used in unfinished walls and installed in-between studs, beams, and joists. Fiberglass installation can cost between $.64 and $1.19 per square foot.

Cellulose is used in enclosed walls and in open spaces in walls. It can also be used for attic floors and hard-to-reach areas. It is poured but most often blown into place with equipment. The cost for cellulose installation can be between $1 and $1.50 per square foot. Installation is a step in the process of all new home construction.

Foam spray is similar to cellulose insulation. It is applied to enclosed walls, open spaces, and attic floors. The cost for foam spray insulation ranges between $1.50 and $4.90 per square foot.

Step 22: Drywall is hung, and the walls and ceilings are textured

Drywall is hung, and a texture may be sprayed on the drywall.

Step 23: Walls begin to be painted as part of building your new home.

The cosmetics of the home start to come together with the painting of the walls. If you are buying a spec or tract home, you may not have many choices in paint color, but if you build a custom home, you could choose several color options or even have wallpaper put on the walls.

Step 24: Exterior finishes are installed on your new house

There are a wide variety of exterior finish options for homes. Typically, vinyl siding is the least expensive and often used for tract and spec homes.

Step 25: Lay flooring as part of the structure of your new house

Once the paint has dried, subcontractors lay flooring throughout the house.

Step 26: Complete trim of windows when building your own home

During this building step, you install the home’s trim around the windows and doors.

Step 27: Installation of cabinets and vanities in your new house

Cabinets and vanities are installed during this step. Most spec and tract homes include builder-grade cabinetry.

Step 28: Installation of light fixtures, outlets, and switches

Light fixtures, outlets, and switches are added to the house.

Step 29: Installation of Countertops and appliances in your new home build.

Countertops and appliances are the next components of your home build, and you have many options to choose from.

Step 30: Bathroom fixtures are installed in the new house

Bathroom fixtures and other features are added during this building step.

Step 31: Mirrors are hung

In this building step, hang Mirrors in the bathroom and other spaces, along with bathroom fixtures.

Step 32: Landscaping and hardscaping are completed

The interior of the home looks fantastic. This building step is the best time to invest in the landscaping of the exterior of your new house.

Step 33: Final home inspection

A home inspector performs a final home inspection to look over everything to confirm the steps of the new build process are completed.

Step 34: Final walkthrough

The final walkthrough is when you walk through the house to ensure everything is completed the way you like.

As the client, you will want to note all the details in your new house and share any issues with your general contractor or builder. Look for damages, including scrapes, holes, and dents in appliances, countertops, floors, and walls. This will be your last chance to address any issues before the contractors leave the house.

Step 35: Close on the house

Once the inspection and final walkthrough are completed, and all issues are addressed and repaired by the general contractor, you can start the process of the final step on building your house – closing your home. Congratulations!

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Frequently Asked Questions

When building a house, what comes first?

The first step to take when building a house is finding a plot of land to build your new home.

How many stages are there in building a house?

There are 35 significant steps in building a new house. This new build checklist is an excellent guide and starting point for your new home build.

How long does it take to build a house from start to finish?

It typically takes four to five months to build a new house.

How much money do you need to build a house?

In 2022, the average cost to build a house is around $280,000. This cost will vary based on the size and location of the home.

What should be kept in mind when building a house?

Building a home is a time-consuming process with several options on who you choose as a builder.

What is the completion stage in building a house?

The final stages of building a home include the walkthrough and closing of the house.

How do you start building a house?

To start building a house, you’ll first want to find land to build on.

How do I financially prepare to build a house?

Save your money and do research and planning. First, you will want to buy land, either outright or via financing. From there, you will need to inquire about contractor estimates.

Summary

These are the 35 steps to building a house. These are meant as a general overview. Almost every home will require the depth of knowledge of specialists and subcontractors to be constructed correctly; however, this complete guide is a great starting point for building a house on your own!