Building a home is a dream for the majority of people in this country. Once the decision has been made to go ahead with the idea a lot of detective work needs to be addressed. It would be easier if the prospective homebuilder was buying an existing home in a new development that had just been completed or one that was in the building stage. In this way they nuts and bolts of the home are already in motion and the new home owners just have to decide on items such as the kitchen and décor. The space is already accounted for so any changes they make to the original specifications have to fit into the plans. So they would choose items such as cabinet design, countertops, flooring, siding and landscaping but the windows, doors and home structure would be unchangeable. They could also choose to pay extra for finishing off the basement or upgrading the shrubs or countertops.

Planning

A custom-built home begins in the homebuilder's head and is transferred into plans via an architect or in pre-made plans from a home catalog. Many of these plans are malleable and can accommodate dozens of changes. But there are steps in the process:

1. Financing: The first consideration is the mortgage so a financial institution will have to be consulted. Some people have the good fortune to build their home with cash but the vast majority need the okay from the lender. This includes all aspects of the build from the lot to the moving expenses.

2. Lot: Many lots are sold in a developed subdivision that require the developer to build the home. The developer will offer a list of styles that will fit in with their own covenants and those of the government. This is an easy way to build a home but you have limited choices.

Other lots are available when someone subdivides a large city lot but lots within a town are scarce and covenants would most likely apply as to the style and size. However, the vast majority of people will move to another area so that they can their dream home.

3. Plans: Whether they are bought from a home plans site on the internet or drawn by an architect you will need as many as 10 copies. This may seem like a lot but the building permit office will need 2 to 3 and the general contractor will need at least 6 to get prices from the subtrades. If you are going to be your own general contractor then you will need 2-3 on hand for extras.

4. General Contractor: A “GC” is advised unless you have the time on hand to “learn on the job.” This is done all the time as many people will take a leave of absence from work and pay themselves the GC fee to live on. However, building a home is stressful and hard on family life so the investment in a good GC is worth it.

Hiring a general contractor is perhaps the most important step in building. It is aprocess which takes time and a lot of floor walking as the decision will affect the next 6 months or more of your time and beyond. He or she will be the planner, scheduler of trades, bookkeeper, paymaster and permit getter so get bids from reputable companys and small builders as well. You should get at least 3 bids and then pick the one that you feel will do the best job in building your dream home. If you are fortunate this may be the lowest bid!

The Process of Building

1. Permits: The GC or you will get the proper permits based on the plans

2. Hiring Subtrades: While waiting for the permits the subtrades are hired based on the plans submitted to them. Some GC's have people they use on a regular basis so they will know the ballpark costs.

3. Foundation: A excavator clears and levels the house site on the lot in conjunction with the plans. The trenches are then dug for the footings. When they are poured and dried forms are set up for the foundation – if there is a basement – or a cement pad if it is a slab-on-grade home.

4. Framing: The frame is the shell of the house and the framers will build the walls, install roof trusses, build stairs and sometimes install windows and doors, depending on the deal. When they finish the home will be “Roof tight.” Some homes are built with other materials like concrete blocks so the exterior shell wouldbe different but the inside still requires wood or steel stud walls.

5. Roofers: Most roofing is specialized so they will come in next.

6. Exterior: Like roofing there are many types of siding options. Stucco usually takes the longest time because of installation of the reinforcing screen and the drying process between coats. Vinyl siding used to be the fastest to go up but the new steel and aluminum products are seamless with a “cut on site” system.

7. Plumbing, Electrical and HVAC: When the roof is on the utilities are roughed-in in preparation for finishing when the walls have been installed. This can go on in conjunction with the exterio work.

8. Insulation: Depending on the style of home usually fiberglass batts will be installed on the exterior walls. New spray-on foam is also making inroads.

9. Drywall: Finishing the walls with sheetrock and plaster is next.

10. Interior Finishing: Usually homes are spray-primed to seal the walls and then the cabinets and plumbing fixtures are installed. The electrician can finish up as well. When all the fixtures are in then the painter completes the job followed by the flooring contractor. Moldings are installed and items like a propane fireplace are put in.

11. Landscaping: After the exterior is completed then the landscapers go to work. This is done later so that the grass and shrubs do not get damaged by the construction.

12. Walk Through: This is when the GC and you go through the place and turn everything on and off to see that it works properly. Take a whole day to do this and mark everything that you don't like. The financial institution will hold back a percentage for up to 3 months after the sturcture is completed to make sure everything is completed.