17 August . 2018
The 10 steps of building a new home from the ground up
Some homebuyers prefer to select a new home that’s already completed and ready to move into. That’s great if you have a short time frame for moving, or if you happen to find a completed home that fits your needs perfectly.
For buyers who have the luxury of time, building a new home from the ground up offers many rewards, including selecting your favorite home plan and homesite. Have you always dreamed of living in the middle of the cul-de-sac, or having a homesite that looks out onto a greenbelt or water feature? You can do that when you build from scratch.
Most builders offer buyers the ability to customize their floor plans. Some have a list of preset options, such as building a flex room as an extra bedroom or a study with French doors, extending a patio, or choosing between a third garage bay or an extra room. Others allow buyers to make more extensive changes, including moving walls and changing the perimeter of the plan.
Building a home from scratch also gives you the opportunity to make personal selections for all interior and exterior finishes, including exterior brick colors, flooring choices, cabinetry, plumbing and lighting fixtures, and more. Homebuyers work closely with their builder throughout the building process, from the day the slab is poured to the final walkthrough. The building process varies from builder to builder, but in general, there are 10 steps in the construction of a new home. Some of these involve setting an appointment and meeting with the sales consultant, the building superintendent, or a Design Center representative. Understanding the Who's Who when you buy a new home is one thing and the other steps are simply milestones along the way to completion.
Here are the 10 basic steps of building a new home, according to NewHomeSource.com:
- Preparing the construction site and pouring the foundation
- Completing the rough framing
- Completing the rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems
- Installing insulation
- Completing interior drywall and starting exterior finishes
- Finishing interior trim; install exterior driveways and sidewalks
- Installing hard-surface flooring and countertops; finishing exterior grading
- Finishing mechanical trims; installing bathroom fixtures
- Installing mirrors, shower doors and soft-surface flooring such as carpet; finishing exterior landscaping
- Final walk-through and orientation with the builder
In all, building a new home from the day the contract is signed until you get the keys at closing takes anywhere from four to six months, depending on the builder, the size and complexity of the home and any upgrades and changes, and weather conditions. During rainy weather, for example, it can be difficult to pour the slab.
See all new home plans available to build from Sweetwater’s leading homebuilders. If you are looking for a new home that is ready for immediate or quick move-in, visit our Homefinder for a listing of quick-move-in homes.