Finally – after spending so many years living in houses that other people built, you are going to build one of your very own. How exciting! How fortunate! But it can also be stressful if you don’t know what to expect.
Set all of your fears aside. Angell’s Construction Services has spent years perfecting home construction. When we tell you that the building process is straightforward as straightforward can be, you can take that right to the bank. Here are all the steps you can anticipate during your home construction timeline, so nothing will come as a surprise!
Home Builder Selection
Maybe you already possess all the skills you need to build a house. If that’s the case, then we appreciate you reading our article all the same. But if you don’t know a foundation from a hole in the ground, then you really ought to defer to an expert.
If you’re building in the greater Twin Cities area, then your search for a home builder is already done and dusted. Just contact us today! But if you’re building in some other pocket of the world, check out our article on the importance of choosing the right general contractor. You don’t want to find out you hired a dud after they’ve already broken ground.
Site Prep
Once your contractor has received all the necessary permits, it’s time for them to prepare the site of your future home. This entails cutting down trees, removing large rocks, clearing away debris, and doing whatever else is necessary to build on level ground which drains properly.
Foundation
Once the groundwork is complete, it’s time to excavate the foundation. This process can take as few as three days or as long as three weeks depending on the size and complexity of the project. After the hole is dug, the foundation will be created using rebar and poured concrete. Your contractor will most likely waterproof the exterior of the foundation with a product like Rub-R-Wall. Once the city inspector has given the foundation their official blessing, the next phase of construction can commence.
Framing
Framing is like a house’s skeleton. Your contractor will combine the magic of wood and rough carpentry to create the frame that gives structure to your walls, windows, doors, subfloors and roofing. They will also wrap the frame in a protective material, such as Tyvec, which prevents moisture from destroying the frame before construction is completed.
Electrical, Plumbing & HVAC
Now it’s time to install all the features that make a house a home: electrical wiring, water lines, ventilation ducts, and all that other good stuff. It’s normal for the electrician to show up after the plumber and HVAC technician have already completed their jobs, but the three professionals can all work side by side if scheduling demands it.
Insulation
Good luck living in a house without insulation. It’s essential to keep the home warm during winter and cool during summer – not to mention sparing you from paying ungodly utility bills. It’s common to insulate all exterior walls, as well as areas surrounding the basement and attic. Got a crawl space? Then you’d better make sure it’s insulated, too!
Drywall
Up until this point, your house doesn’t look very cozy – all skeletal framing and fluffy pink insulation. But once your contractor has hung the drywall, covered up all its seams, and added texture and primer to it, your home’s interior will really begin to take shape.
Roofing & Siding
Now that the drywall is in place, your contractor can set right to work installing all the hardwood, softwood and carpeting that will comprise your flooring. This is also a good time to install roofing as well. With those two elements in place, you’re nearly there!
Finishing Touches
Fireplaces. Internal doors. Finish carpentry. Light switches. Faucets. Toilets. Sinks. It’s time to put all of these things where they belong. And don’t forget all the exterior touches like your driveway, walkways and patio, too. At this phase it’s good for the contractor to make absolutely certain water is draining away from the foundation correctly – added assurance that your basement won’t flood.
Flooring
Flooring is saved for last, as that way contractors’ dirty boots won’t stamp big ugly prints into the carpeting and floorboards. You truly don’t want to install flooring before you have painted the interior, too. Trust us on that one!
Inspection & Final Walkthrough
Now that everything’s finished, it’s time for the closing formalities. The inspector will go over the entire property with a fine-toothed comb and point out any areas that are deficient. Whomever you hire to build your home, it’s advisable to choose a third-party inspector to impartially scrutinize their work. If the inspector reveals anything that needs fixing, your contractor should set it straight at once.
After the inspector has given the property their official seal of approval, it’s time for you to inspect the property. Make sure everything adheres to the scope of work you originally approved and that everything is to your liking. Check all the electrical outlets. Open and close all the doors. Test out all the appliances, including the HVAC system. You want to be absolutely certain everything meets your standards before you release your contractor. Once they’ve left your property, they’ll move right on to another.
If you’re looking for a general contractor to build your new home in the greater Twin Cities area, then we welcome you to contact Angell’s Construction Services today!