The 10 Stages In Building A House

From purchase to move-in, these are the 10 most important stages associating with building a new house.

Stage 1. Planning And Permits

The first step of any new home build is developing plans with an architect and/or licensed designer. After plans have been approved, they must then be sealed by a licensed engineer. Before any builders can dig into the ground, local government must approve everything, from the design all the way to zoning and grading. Physical work on the home can only begin once the permits have been acquired.

Stage 2. Site Preparation

Typically, site preparation and foundation work is performed by the same construction crew. The crew will need to clear the land before beginning the construction process. In most cases, the land will need to be leveled ahead of time, as well. Some areas may require additional fill to bring the house to the minimum flood level.

Stage 3. Pour Foundation

Foundations are generally built on crawl spaces, slabs or basements. They will often consist of poured concrete, complete with steel rods. Concrete is not waterproof, meaning your contractor must spray it with some sort of waterproofing substance. City inspectors will then check the foundation before any building continues.

Stage 4. Framing

During this next step in this process, the contractor installs walls, windows and doors. In addition, the flooring and roofing systems will be put in place. This is the stage in the process known as the “skeleton phase.” At this point, the builder will also install a house wrap to protect your home from any outside moisture.

Stage 5. Plumbing, Electrical HVAC

Once the house wrap has been placed, it’s time to move on to the installation of the plumbing and electrical HVAC systems. After those installations, an inspector must approve wiring and pipes, among other components.

Stage 6. Add Insulation

After the home has passed the next set of inspections, insulation is the next item on the list. Insulation will help control the home’s temperature and keep it as energy efficient as possible. Common insulation types in new homes include blanket, foam and fiberglass.

Stage 7. Finish Interior

Your builder will focus on interior finishes following the additions of insulation and drywall. Interior finishes typically include internal doors, window sills, trim, fireplace and mantle. Paint will be added to the walls during this stage.

Stage 8. Finish Exterior

Things are now starting to take shape on the inside of the home. Now, your builder will take on the walkways, driveways and so on. Ensuring proper drainage away from the home is a crucial part of this step.

Stage 9. Inspection

A building code official will give final approval during the last inspection of the home. Once the certificate of occupancy is obtained, you are free to move in!

Stage 10. Final Walkthrough

This is also referred to as the pre-settlement walkthrough, where your builder will show you all you need to know about the new home. New homebuyers are advised to take an extended look at everything, since this is the last time you can ask to have anything corrected before move in.

How Long Does It Take To Build A House?

It takes an average of seven months to complete the construction of a new home across the U.S. According to RamseySolutions, though, you should add extra time to your plan for the architect to complete drawings and designs. This could take up to four months long.

The first thing you should do if you plan on building a new home from the ground up is to figure out both a budget and timeline. As mentioned above, the construction process can take up to seven months long, but factors like inclement weather can cause lengthy delays. Give the architect an appropriate amount of time for the design, then tack on another month for project authorization. From purchase to move-in, you are generally looking at a year-long process.

How Much Does A New House Cost?

The average cost to build a house is $298,432 in 2021, according to HomeAdvisor. Prices will range all the way from $154,135 to $477,534 in the U.S. The typical price per square foot is $150, so here is a look at costs to build new homes today:

1,500 sq ft home: $225,000
1,600 sq ft home: $240,000
1,700 sq ft home: $255,000
1,800 sq ft home: $270,000
1,900 sq ft home: $285,000
2,000 sq ft home: $300,000

The biggest factor influencing the overall cost of a new home build is, of course, size of the property. The number of stories featured in the home will affect the bottom line, as well. The more stories you have, the more construction there is involved in the build.

Different design features, including balconies, decks, pools and others can increase the total cost. However, these features will undoubtedly add value to your home over time. Most homebuyers wouldn’t think about the shape of the home when creating a budget, but this could also result in added costs. Unusual exterior or interior designs will require more construction, leading to larger costs.

Build a Custom Home In Arizona

Contact Hughes Development today to get an estimate for your home building project. Hughes Development builds custom homes in Mesa, Apache Wells, Mountain Whisper and more areas in Arizona.