A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your First Home

You might have spent hours on house listings struggling to find your dream home or you simply want to build a home that’s entirely customized to your needs. Whatever the reason, it’s undeniable that newly constructed homes have a special charm. You can design it as you want, be part of the building from start to finish, and there are rarely any hidden issues.

If you’ve decided to build a custom home rather than buy a pre-owned one, here’s a step-by-step guide to the building process so you know what to expect.

Find the Right Plot of Land

The most significant step of building your house is to shop for land for sale near me. The right location and acres of land will entirely depend on your needs. For example, you might want to build your home on a big plot of land in a more remote area on the outskirts or be in the middle of the city bustle. When you find several suitable options, it’s wise to inform your architect and contractor to ensure the plots are suitable for your needs. They will also check the real estate zoning laws and sales history, and identify the land’s features that would increase the price of building on it.

Design Your Ideal Home

The next step is to determine your house’s size, style, and layout. You’ll be constructing a custom home, so feel free to use your imagination. That being said, be mindful of your budget, as well as any limitations related to your parcel. Also, consider how your design decisions might affect the value of your home should you decide to sell it down the road. Drive around to spot homes you like and go online to find inspiration. Moreover, research what features you’ll want to have and check if they are worth the cost. You’ll have to decide on the number of bathrooms, stories, and rooms, the interior and exterior aesthetics, the size of the functional outdoor space, and additional features such as solar panels.

Prepare the Site

After getting your project on paper, it’s time to get the wheel spinning. You can start by prepping the construction site. Clear the debris to reach the ground level as well as 25 feet around the home perimeter. Next, have a licensed land surveyor mark the lot based on an accurate drawing of the plot that showcases the property lines. You might need to adjust the site’s topography to modify the water flow across the parcel. You’ll also need to order a dumpster that will handle the trash during the process of building, set up a temporary power distribution box, and get portable toilets for the workers.

Foundation and Framing

The next step is pouring the foundation. Depending on the type of home you decide to construct, you might have a slab, crawl space or a basement foundation. Regardless of your choice, it needs to be waterproofed up to the finished grade level. Next, the framing carpenters will show up to erect the wood framework for the floors, walls, ceilings, and roofing.

HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, and Insulation

Subcontractors will begin installing the home’s primary systems, such as plumbing pipes, cooling and heating ducts, and electrical wiring, once the house has “dried in.” A regional inspector must approve each of these actions. Usually, the amount of insulation your house needs depends on the climate. However, the general rule of thumb is that exterior walls, attics, and basements should all receive insulation.

Interior and Exterior Finishes

After setting up the primary systems, you’ll have all the interior features of the house installed. This includes kitchen countertops, cabinets, baseboards, bathtubs, vanities, window sills, and hard-surfaced flooring. During this stage, you might want to paint the interior or install hardwood; however, if further building poses a risk of impairment, they might be completed later. Driveways, patios, walkways, and final grading can also be completed at this stage, along with exterior decorating and landscaping.

Installation of Fixtures

Everything can be installed in the nearly finished home, from toilets and sinks to light switches and electrical panels. You’ll have to do a second round of inspection to ensure these fixtures work correctly. A local building official will complete a final inspection after construction is finished. After passing it, you will be granted permission to move in and get a certificate of occupancy.

Final Thoughts

Building a house isn’t an easy job. However, the satisfaction of constructing your dream house is definitely worth the effort. The first step is to find the right plot of land. From there, follow the steps we’ve outlined and work with professionals to ensure the process goes smoothly.