Construction Timeline – The Home building process
September 2, 2014

Construction of a new home or renovation can take anywhere from six months to well over a year, depending on factors such as the size of the proposed home, weather conditions, and the availability of workers and supplies.

There are numerous decisions to be made along the way, and there are often several unexpected delays. Whether you’re building a simple starter home or the home of your dreams, most homeowners find the home construction process somewhat overwhelming.

If you’re thinking of building a new home or addition, we’re here to help.

The following is a construction timeline that clarifies the home building process.

From demolition or site preparation to final inspections and occupancy, discover the major steps involved in building your home, as well as how long each will take.

residential_27residential_11

Pre-construction Stages:

This part of the timeline is not shown in the current timeline discussion, and relies on the existing zoning and complexity of the drawings and design task.

  1. Hire a licensed architect.                                            4
  2. Discuss with your architect your desired results. Draw up preliminary plans.

  3. Preliminary pricing based on preliminary design drawings.
  4. Obtain zoning and rezoning as required.
  5. Develop plans for permit.
  6. Obtain permits.
  7. Finalize contractor prices/Award and tender project

Construction Stages:

1. Demolition:

Week 1 and 2 if no demolition proceed to next step.

2. Site Preparation

Weeks 3 and 4

You’re breaking ground on your new home or renovation. It’s just the second phase of the home building process. Site preparation includes work such as excavation and staking. Your architect has determined how your home is to be situated on the lot. Workers will clear, excavate, and level the lot accordingly. Then stakes will be driven into the ground to mark the footprint of your home or addition.

3. Footings, Foundation, framing windows and roof.

Weeks 5-6-7-8-9-10-11

residential_16

Footings, foundation and framing, windows and roof. Concrete foundations serve as the base that your home sits on.  The permit outlines the each stage needs to be  inspected. Once footings are in place and have passed inspection, the weep system is installed, the foundation wall is built. Then, the foundation is waterproofed. The foundation of your home may be a full basement or a crawlspace. Next, (wood and steel or other construction method) framing and exterior sheathing is applied,

framing is inspected, and once it is approved, windows and water-proofing and exterior cladding or finishes are applied. Finally, roofing is installed and the house is enclosed.

4. HVAC/Electrical and Drywall

Weeks 12-13-14-15

Important mechanical and electrical items such as the heating and cooling system roughed in and installed, plumbing lines are installed and the electrical system is put in place. Many builders will pre-wire your ho

me for a security and entertainment sytem. Insulation is installed, and drywall with vapor barrier is installed. The drywall is then mudded, sanded and receives a coat of primer.

5. Stairs, Flooring and Paint

Weeks 15-16-17

Flooring, Stairs, trim and millwork are installed, and doors and cabinets are installed. The second coat of paint is applied.

6. Fixtures and Appliances

Week 18-19

Sub-contractors/Trades install faucets, light fixtures, receptacles and appliances.

residential_52

7. Final Items and Cleanup

Weeks 20-21

Cleanup and final items.

8. Closing

Week 22

“Punch List” of things you had contracted the builder to correct, this is a general idea of how long it will take to build your home or renovation, but when you enter the home building process you can expect the unexpected. Keep in mind that a number of factors will impact the home construction timeline that your contractor has developed, including clear paths of clear communication.