What does your dream home look like? A simple yet elegant architecture? Or an exquisite bungalow with all the amenities you need? Seriously, your imagination is the limit. But making such a dream a reality is another thing. You can probably sketch and design that home on a piece of paper, but you need home construction services to see it for real. There are now many home and property contractors that you can work with, but ensuring that you hire the most reliable one is very important.
Looking for home construction services near you can be challenging. For one, you need to make sure that the property contractor can deliver your expectations and their pricing fits your budget. Usually, commercial builders have their standards and procedures in carrying out projects. You have to explore all possible companies and choose the home builder that could carry out competent services and achieve your ultimate plan.
To help you find home construction services that match your standards and goals, we have gathered some hacks to simplify the process and make a sound decision. Read on and learn the essentials when building your dream home.
Pre-Building Stage of Home Construction
Before looking for home construction services, you should already have a definite plan about the design, cost, and other essential things to your goal. Don’t make an abrupt decision because this is a significant project. At this stage, you seriously need to brainstorm on the requirements to ensure that your plans are coordinated, and executions would run smoothly.
You can work with a property contractor to discuss everything from planning to building your property. Whether you do it yourself or with a contractor is a matter of discretion. Just make sure you lay down all the plans to realize your home construction project.
At the pre-building stage, it helps to keep the following checklist in mind as you look for and hire construction services to build your ideal home:
Set the Budget for the Expected Cost
Everything depends on your budget. Do you agree? Whether or not you do, it’s the truth that you have to acknowledge during planning. Before you can execute your goals, you have to sit down and understand the cost breakdown. The total cost generally depends on the size, design, location, procurement route, project management, construction type and quality. However, there might be instances where the project cost exceeds your estimates. For example, items and materials not included in the budget plan may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.
Find the Right Location to Build Your Home
Location matters because this would determine your convenience as a homeowner, including your property’s value and lifestyle as well. That’s why you’ll often hear experts suggest finding the right location for your dream home. This is a personal decision, but it’s wise to consider some things in the process. When you build a house next to a highway, the loud noise from passing vehicles might cause some disturbance. The distance from school or work is also essential to avoid delays when travelling and accessing personal needs. Securing an ideal spot before committing to an actual construction project may entail some cost in extra planning, but it will prove a wise decision.
Design and Build Your Dream Home
As a homeowner, you are the one deciding on what and how to build your dream house. Don’t assume that this project would only require working with a construction builder and everything is all set. The truth is, beautiful homes take time to build and are made according to a plan – it doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye. To ensure an ideal home design, consider hiring an architect to supervise the entire process. Your architect will not just create the design, proceed with the drafting, and pick the construction materials for you but also guarantee that you will have a home that suits your lifestyle needs.
Choose a Reliable Contractor or House Builder
Once the design and blueprints of your home are ready, you should then choose the right general contractors to help you throughout the construction process. There are a lot of home builders out there, but hiring a trustworthy and professional contractor will make a huge difference. It will ensure that you don’t go over your budget and your dream house is built according to the plan. Likewise, a professional builder will oversee the construction process, ensuring that everything is executed correctly.
Pick the Right Home Construction Materials
Since the home construction plan is now ready to be executed, the next task is making sure you will be using suitable materials. Don’t take this for granted during the building process because picking out the right tools and durable materials is key to avoiding overspending, future frustrations, and disappointment. Remember that the homebuilding process doesn’t just end with structuring. It would be best to focus on the overall outcome that depends on the finishing work, including plastering, facing, following, painting, glazing, and wallpapering.
Home Building Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding the process of building your new home is very important. This will equip you to oversee the execution as your chosen construction builder facilitates the matter. But as a project manager, keep in mind that the homebuilding process may vary from region to region and builder to builder, especially if you are building an elaborate custom property. It would be best to clarify with the contractor the specific policies and procedures observed.
Prepare Construction Site and Establish Foundation
Before the actual home construction, the first requirement that you should comply with is the building design and necessary permits from the zoning and grading to the septic systems, electrical work, home construction, and plumbing. Once you have these permits, you can proceed with the physical construction. The same crew often does the site preparation and foundation work, but it’s a different story with a wooded lot.
At this stage, the construction crew uses a backhoe and bulldozer to clear the rocks, trees, and debris for the house and the septic system. The goal here is to level the site, put up wooden forms to serve as a template for the foundation, and dig the holes and trenches. Likewise, footings are also installed during this construction phase. When the curing process is complete, a city inspector may visit the site to ensure that the foundation components are correctly installed and compliant with local regulations.
Complete the Home Rough Framing
The walls, floor system, and roof systems should have been completed during this construction phase. This is also known as the shell or skeleton of the house. The builder also applies plywood and oriented standard board to exterior walls, roofs, windows, and doors. A protective barrier known as a house wrap is used to cover the sheathing. It prevents any liquid from penetrating the structure while allowing water vapour to escape, which reduces the likelihood of mould and wood rot.
Complete Rough Plumbing and Electrical HVAC
The following home construction requirements are supposed to be completed at this stage: pipes and wires, water supply lines, sewer lines and vents, bathtubs and shower units, ductwork for the HVAC system, and HVAC vent pipes. These are all done once the house shell is finished. Your home builder installs the siding and roofing, electrical, and plumbing contractors start running pipes and wires through the interior walls, ceilings and floors. Remember that rough framing, electrical and mechanical systems, and plumbing are inspected for compliance with building codes.
Install Your Home Insulation
With proper insulation, you can enjoy a more comfortable and consistent indoor climate while significantly improving your home’s energy efficiency. One of the essential qualities of insulation is the thermal performance, indicating how well the construction materials resist heat transfer. Many homes are insulated in all exterior walls, attic, and floors above unfinished crawl spaces or basements. The most common types of insulation today include fibreglass, spray foam, foam mineral wool, concrete blocks, and structural insulated panels, among others.
Complete Drywall and Interior Fixtures
House drywall should be hung and taped so that the seams between the boards are not visible, and drywall texturing should be completed at this stage. Also, ensure that the primer coat of paint is applied after the taping. Your contractor should begin installing exterior finishes such as stone, brick, stucco, and siding.
Install Exterior Walkways and Driveway, Finish Interior Trim
During this construction phase, your exterior driveways, walkways, and patios should be formed already. Many builders have to wait until the end of the project before completing the driveway because heavy equipment can damage the materials. For others, though, this area is made as soon as the foundation is finished so that homeowners can visit the site with ease. Likewise, interior doors, door casing, mouldings, window sill, stair balusters, baseboards, and other decorative items are supposed to be installed already. This should be made along with vanities, cabinets, and fireplace mantels.
Install Hard Surface Flooring and Countertops
Expect at this construction phase that the vinyl, ceramic tile, and wood flooring are installed already, along with countertops. Also, the exterior finish grading should have been completed to have proper drainage away from the property and prepare the yard for landscaping.
Finish Mechanical Trims and Install Bathroom Fixtures
Installing outlets and switches, light fixtures and electrical panels are supposed to be completed during this home construction phase. Your home builder and other contractors should also finish HVAC equipment, toilets, sinks, and faucets.
Install Mirrors and Shower Doors
By this time, your home should already have shower doors, mirrors, and carpeting. Shrubs, trees, and grass are planted, and other exterior landscaping is done. A final inspection will be made, and a certificate of occupancy will be issued once everything is compliant with local regulations. If any issues are found during the inspection, a follow-up inspection may be scheduled to ensure that they’ve been resolved.
Walking through Your New Home
Once everything is set for occupation, your contractor will walk you through the property to get you acquainted with the features and the operation of various systems and components. You’ll also know your responsibilities for maintenance and upgrade and the warranty coverage and procedures. This is otherwise called a pre-settlement walk-through, where you get an opportunity to spot items that need to be corrected or adjusted.
How to Choose the Right Home Builder
No matter how beautiful the home you imagine inside your head, it won’t come true unless the home builder you choose can transform it into reality. That’s why you must know what to look for among your choices. Don’t hurry in this process because this is a significant construction project, and it’s the place where you and your family will stay.
Some of the essential factors that you need to consider when choosing a home builder are the following:
- The contractor has the right specialization. If you’re building a new home, hire a professional specializing in this field.
- Review portfolios and evaluate the quality of work. This will show you the level of quality you can expect for your project. You may consider testimonials from the contractor’s past clients.
- Verify the time frame to complete the project. This is very important because building a home is a time-intensive endeavour, and the longer it’s finished, the more additional expenses might be incurred.
- Check the safety compliance of the home builder. The general contractor should ensure that the workers are protected against workplace hazards to avoid any accident that can shut down work and delay the project completion.
- Give importance to excellent customer service. You will work with a home builder throughout the construction process, so make sure you work well with this professional. Excellent service would simplify the process and make communication easier for everyone.
You can check our services if you’re looking for a contractor with proven track records in exterior construction projects.
Home Construction Services Near You
There are many residential construction services across the United States, but not everyone offers the same kind of service and results. You have to do your research to know the best company to work with. One of the reliable partners today for exterior construction projects is Elysian Construction.
Our company specializes in storm damage restoration and roof repair. We serve residential and commercial properties, and we can meet the needs of any exterior construction plans for your home improvement. Elysian will ensure that your investment is properly maintained and protected from roofing and siding to gutters and windows.
At Elysian Construction, we can partner with you to achieve the goals for your dream home through our premium workmanship and materials. You are guaranteed professional integrity and exceptional service to create the maximum value that our company upholds through the years. Check our website to know more!
We can work together to make your dream home come true. Contact us today!