Building Your Dream House: A Starter Guide to Home Construction

Building Your Dream House: A Starter Guide to Home Construction

July 10, 2020
By:
Martin Whitmore, President of US Window & Door
new home construction

When you’re preparing to build your dream home, it can seem overwhelming to figure out where to begin. Before you break ground, it’s helpful to identify where to start, have a clear vision of where you want to go, and then figure out how to get there! Don’t let the fear of home construction costs hold you back from creating a beautiful residence for your family.

If you’ve been looking for a starter guide on home construction and a quick reference list of all the areas you should consider, this article is a must-read!

The Starter Guide on Home Construction

Building the house of your dreams is no easy feat, but these home construction tips will help you get a winning plan! From start to finish, this list has it all!

Preparing Your Site

To prepare your site for construction, you need to pull the required permits first. You can then level the site using home construction equipment like those found at Kor-Pak to remove rocks or trees, then grade the land if needed, and install any septic systems.

Foundation

Once you’ve got your site prepared, dig a hole for a basement if necessary, and then pour and form your foundation. Once you pour the concrete, it will need to cure. Once the concrete cures, you will need a city inspector to visit and perform your first inspection.

Rough Framing

During this phase, you will be framing out your floor system, walls, and roof. The framing is the skeleton of your house to which you can then add exterior walls, a roof, windows, and doors. Make sure you are selecting the right windows and doors by working with your trusted local replacement specialists at US Window & Door. Our team can help you pick the perfect windows for your new home.

Rough Plumbing, Electrical, & HVAC

Now that you’ve got your framing done, you can start installing your pipes, wires, sewer lines and vents, water lines, tubs and showers, and ductwork and vents for your HVAC system. After all of these aspects are installed, you will need to have them inspected.

Insulation

Choose your preferred type of insulation that will fit your climate control needs. You will want to insulate your exterior walls, attic, and floors (if you have a basement or crawlspace).

Drywall, Priming, & Fixtures

Hang and tape your drywall, so the seams between the boards of drywall disappear. Coat all interior and exterior walls with a priming paint and install any exterior finishes like brick or stone.

Painting, Trim, & Driveway

During this phase, you’ll install interior doors, baseboards, window sills, and apply paint. You can also form your driveway and patio, but you’ll want to make sure you no longer have to use heavy machinery which would damage the concrete.

Landscaping

Plant trees, shrubs, flowers, grass, and whatever else makes your dream house feel like home. You can request your final inspection and receive your certificate of occupancy!

Final Walk-Through

During this final walk-through, your builder will educate you on the different features of your new home. Be sure to examine all counters, floors, fixtures, walls, etc. because it becomes much more challenging to have these issues resolved afterward.

Ultimate door buying guide

Where to start

Are you ready to build your dream home? Start by finding and purchasing land and then work down this list of home construction tips to keep you on track. Remember that your dream house is an on-going project and it doesn’t have to be perfect right away. You can always add more windows and doors to instantly upgrade its overall appeal and market value.

It can feel overwhelming to find a builder, gather the home construction supplies needed, and request inspections, but you can do it! Contact US Window & Door if you need any assistance in finding the best windows and doors for your dream home. For more expert tips about home construction and home repair, check out our blog!