Home Building Guide

A General Guide for Beginners

Construction Timeline


Approx. Time Required	Description of Work
4 Days	Site Preparation - Clear the land and install batter boards with string for reference
4 Days	Excavation - Dig basement and trenches for footings, excavate trenches for water, sewer, gas and utility lines
10 Days	Foundation - Pour all footing, pour/lay foundation walls, waterproof below grade, install drains, install perimeter insulation (optional)
	Temporary Electric - Have electric company install temporary electric service before framing begins
10 Days	Frame House - Install floor system, build and set exterior walls, frame roof system, install roofing, set interior partitions, install exterior siding, install windows and exterior doors.
4 Days	Rough Plumbing - Locate plumbing fixtures and install all piping for sewer, water and gas lines
5 Days	Heating/Air Conditioning - Install HVAC System and all ductwork
5 Days	Rough Electric - Have electric company install meter. Install service panel, connect to meter and ground, run wiring to fixtures locations
4 Days	Concrete Floors - Pour garage and basement pads after proper base and reinforcement has been installed. Outside patios should wait until drywall is finished
8 Days	Insulation and Drywall - Install insulation, hang and finish drywall
10 Days	Interior Finishing - Install interior doors, paint, install kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and all trim
3 Days	Finish Electric, Plumbing and HVAC - Install light fixtures, receptacles, vent fans, doorbells, switch/receptacle plates, toiliets, sinks, faucets, vents and grills
3 Days	Flooring/Carpeting - Install finish flooring and/or carpeting

The first step in getting your new home built is to speak with a bank representative. Ask lots of questions about construction loans and rates, closing costs, points and other possible charges. Don't be afraid to shop around to find the best deal.

Once preliminary financing has been obtained, put your plans out for bid. Decide whether you want a general contractor to take care of the overall project, or if you will act as the contractor and bid out separate items to sub-contractors. Be aware, though, that the latter can become a nightmare for anyone inexperienced in home construction.

Once you have received bids, you'll need to carefully examine them to determine the best one - not necessarily the lowest priced one. Make sure the bidder has spelled out everything he intends to do so there won't be any big surprises later. And don't forget to get references on the bidder before making a final decision.

After choosing a general or starting contractor, you can go back to the bank and finalize the loan. In a construction loan, money is disbursed in steps as the building progresses. You pay finance charges only on the amount that has been disbursed during building. When the house is complete, the loan is converted into a regular mortgage.

Please note: The amount of time to build each home will vary greatly. The number of days shown below to complete each step is only an estimate and does not include days when sub-contractors may not be on-site due to other responsibilities.