Everyone wants to have their dream home, but most of them don’t know how or where to start. Fortunately, First Canadian Construction is here to help you with the best guide on the home building process and how you can have the home you want.
Should I Build a House or Buy One?
Although not everyone should take on the home building process independently, if you ask someone who has, chances are they are enjoying the house they have built themselves. Whether to buy or construct depends on several variables, including resources, time, and personal preferences, such as if you like to create one of the custom Luxury homes or not. If you want, you can also get help from luxury home builders.
How long does it take to complete the home building process?
Whether building luxury homes or not, a new home building process requires between three and six months to be finished, from beginning to end. Remember that your builder’s timeline is more of a suggestion than a strict deadline. Weather conditions, subcontractor scheduling, and permitting setbacks are just a handful of causes why new housing owners must be flexible to finish the home building process.
The Steps to Building a House
The home building process involves several tasks, including framing, laying the foundation, and selecting paint colors. This article will teach you the steps involved in building a house, so you will know what to expect at each stage.
1. Preparing the Building Site for Your Home Building Process
The first stage in the home building process is to prepare the site after your builder has obtained the necessary permissions. Crews will remove a lot of garbage, trees, or rocks during the construction site preparation phase. Before building the foundation, they need to level the site.
2. Pouring the Foundation
In most cases, at this stage of the home building process, foundations are constructed on basements, slabs, or crawl spaces. They frequently include steel rods and concrete that has been poured. Your contractor will spray the concrete with a waterproofing chemical because concrete isn’t watertight. Before construction begins, the substructure will be inspected by city inspectors.
3. Framing is Crucial for a Home Building Process
In the third step of the home building process, the architect will put up the roof and floor structure, as well as the windows, doors, and walls during this phase. The “skeleton” of your future home is beginning to take shape! Your architect will apply a covering called a house wrap to insulate the building from moisture damage, preventing the growth of mold and wood rot.
4. Setting up HVAC, Electrical & Plumbing
Moving to the fourth stage of the home building process, the HVAC systems, electrical, and plumbing come after the home has been deemed wrapped in house wrap. An inspector will approve your heating and cooling ducts, electrical wiring, and pipes once they have been installed. Because it is more straightforward for the electrician to work around the plumbing schedules, the architect will often schedule wire installation after those two contractors have established the ductwork.
5. Adding Insulation
A crucial step in the home building process is regulating a home’s temperature and lowering cooling and heating expenses, which is done by adding Insulation. Typical insulating materials include fiberglass, foam, and cellulose. Your exterior walls, as well as the vicinity of a crawl space, basement, or attic, are generally insulated by your architect.
6. Adding the Drywall
The interiors of your house will start to appear finished once the drywall is installed. At this stage of the home building process, your architect will install drywall and apply spackling compounds to any elevated areas, such as nails or seams. To make the walls more interesting, they can use a texture spray. Afterward, apply a layer of primer.
7. Finishing up the Interiors
Your architect will work on the inside of the house, finishing up, for example, the mantle, fireplace, window sills, interior doors, and ornamental trim once the drywall is installed. The wall color you’ve been fretting about will finally be revealed! If they are building luxury homes, there might be more interiors to work on.
8. Finishing up the Exteriors
In this stage of the home building process, things like the patios, walkways, and driveways will also start to take shape outside your new home. To ensure optimal drainage and ensure your new yard is taking shape well, the architect will finish the outside by leveling the grounds.
9. Fixtures Installation
Your architect will put in components like light switches and faucets during this phase of the home building process. Your sinks and toilets will also be included. The HVAC system in your home is finished.
10. Flooring Installation
Your architect will then either put up carpets or hardwood floors. Consider which options are best for you in different rooms of your house. For instance, choosing hardwood flooring may be a good idea if you have allergies. Luxury home builders might offer you a more excellent range of options. After this stage of the home building process, your new house will appear ready for you to move in!
11. Evaluation
You will receive a residency certificate following this last examination by a building code official, which indicates the home building process is finished, and you may now move in. They will arrange a second examination if there are any flaws to be sure the architect has fixed them. Get an independent inspector while you are building your own home.
12. Final Overview
During a pre-settlement tour, your architect will showcase the new home’s features and discuss your warranty duties. At this stage of the home building process, it is your time to point out anything you want them to fix before moving in.
Take your sweet time and go through everything carefully. For example, check if they’ve included all of the features you asked for before and, while the home building process is still going on, also check simple things such as if all of the electrical outlets are operational. If your home is one of those custom luxury homes, then you have to check everything more thoroughly since there are more details.