After you have completed the proper pre-construction process for your dream home including defining your goals, determining your budget, locating the right lot, along with the rest of the important items, reahomesllc.com/blog; it is time for the most exciting stage – CONSTRUCTION! Let’s explore what you should expect.
Groundbreaking is one of the most exciting moments of the entire home building process, second only maybe to moving into your new home. All of your hard work over the last few months can now begin to take physical form, and day-by-day you will start to see your dream coming together!
Though many of the big decisions have been made during pre-construction, there will be no shortage of smaller decisions to make during the Construction Phase. Your builder will continue to oversee the daily activity throughout the process, but you will need to continue to be accessible during the construction phase. Having carefully selected a builder that you have the utmost faith and trust in, you will be able to rest easy knowing that when they need you, they will let you know. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be an active observer as the home comes together, after all… it’s your dream home.
5 Stages of Construction
The construction of your home is a complicated process that will require 1000s of man-hours and expertise across many different disciplines. This guide will not go into detail about the construction process, but below is a quick overview of the 5 stages of the build:
- Foundation – Includes excavation, footings, foundation walls (or slab), waterproofing, backfill and compaction, and underground plumbing.
- Framing – Includes wood or steel framing, exterior wall and roof sheathing, exterior trim and siding (and/or stucco/brick), windows and exterior doors, and roofing.
- Rough Plumbing, Mechanical & Electrical – Includes water and waste/vent piping, plus setting of the water heater, ductwork, venting and furnace installation, wiring, and electrical panel installation.
- Insulation & Drywall – Includes wall insulation, drywall installation, tape and texture.
- Paint, Trim & Finishing – Includes finished flooring, cabinets, countertops, wall tile, mirrors, shower doors, final electrical (including fixtures), final plumbing (including fixtures), and final mechanical.
How long will construction take?
Although there are many factors that determine the length of time the Construction Phase will take, a general guideline is that this phase can take anywhere from 10 to16 months. Your builder will be able to give you more accurate estimates of construction times for the different stages as your project moves forward, but most projects are completed within that time frame. Of course, depending on the size and complexity of your home, weather conditions, material availability, labor and many other factors that are out of the builder’s control, less or more time may be required.
What To Do During Construction
Ask for walkthroughs
Don’t just show up at a construction site unannounced, but feel free to ask for walkthroughs with your builder throughout the process. Communicate any concerns you might have with your builder.
Take lots of pictures
This is your baby, so feel free to take lots of pictures of your home during construction. These will be great to have for your family or the next occupants many years down the road.
Trust your builder
If you hired a good, trustworthy builder, now is the time to let them do what they do best. Your builder will keep you informed about the progress of the home and let you know when they need you for something.
Prepare to Move
Unlike buying an existing home, building a new home affords time to adequately prepare for your move. Take advantage of this time and have everything ready to go by the time construction is completed. After all, you want to start enjoying your dream home the second it’s ready, right?
Enjoy The Experience
Building a new custom home is a once in a lifetime experience for most people. Although there will undoubtedly be ups and downs during the lengthy process, it’s best to remember that you will look back on this journey with a true sense of accomplishment. Make sure you take some time to enjoy the ride!
Once the final inspections are completed, you will be ready to perform a final walkthrough. At this point, you have likely been to the home many times during the construction phase, so this is more of a formality. During the last year or so, you have taken a thrilling journey and now you get to see and enjoy the fruits of your efforts! Upon final approval and closing, you are now ready to move in to and spend your time enjoying the home of your dreams!
REA Homes builds high performance luxury homes with the customer’s entire well-being in mind. To learn more about our custom built homes in St. Louis, MO, visit our blog or Facebook page.
