Before anyone can pick up a hammer or even begin digging, there’s a lot of preparation and planning involved. First, you need to get your design approved by your city and municipality, and you need permits for just about every aspect of the build, including:

• The zoning
• Septic systems
• Plumbing
• Electricity and wiring
• Home construction

Once the permits are acquired, your team can actually start preparing the site. This involves clearing any rocks, trees, and debris from the plot of land.

It is installed prior to commencement of the project work and removed at the completion of work, meeting code requirements for removal. A fence is required to enclose the construction site of a new building, areas of demolition, open excavation or extensive alteration. Fences shall be accessible at grade.

Once the site has been properly cleared, the crew will lay the foundation. A good foundation is essential to a solid home and a safe construction process overall. Usually, the site preparation team is the same as the crew that sets the foundation, but it’s not always the case. This starts with leveling out the ground and putting up wooden forms, which gives the crew a general layout for the foundation. The crew digs trenches and holes and installs the footings where the house makes contact with the earth.

If you want a basement, the crew has to dig down into the site before pouring the concrete. For slab foundations, the crew levels the footings and fits runs for plumbing, electricity, and other utilities between them before pouring out the slab.

Once the foundation is poured, the concrete needs time to dry and cure, during which time the crew can’t actually do anything. Once the curing is done, the foundation has to be inspected to make sure everything is safe and up to code. The crew will also install sewage and plumbing that needs to be on the basement or first floor.

The frame or skeleton of your house is integral to the stability of the property and ensures that the home is safe and secure enough to withstand the natural elements. The frame essentially comprises bones of the walls, floor, and roof, typically made of wood, but metal studs are also available. 

The crew then applies sheathing to the frame, which is then covered with a wrap. The wrap prevents any moisture or water buildup that could result in wood rot or mold. Much like the foundation, the frame requires an official inspection before your builder can proceed. If you purchased a modular home, that usually means most of the framing (and even the entire structure) was already constructed. The crew’s job is to assemble the home onto the foundation.

With the shell and frame complete, the crew can begin a rough installation of the utility systems, along with the siding and roof. Contractors will begin running the pipes and water lines through the walls and install supply lines for every fixture. The ductwork, central air conditioning, and furnace get installed as well.

With the roof complete, an electrician can begin installing wiring, including inserting all the outlets, lights, and switches. This also consists of any cables for TV, internet, and audio systems. The electrical wiring typically comes after the HVAC and plumbing have been installed, as wires are easier to work around pipes and ducts.

Each part of this process requires an inspection before your team can proceed. That means official inspections for the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems.

Insulation ensures your comfort, keeping in the warmth while keeping out the cold. Good insulation also maintains your home’s energy efficiency. It’s fairly standard to insert insulation in all exterior walls, the attic, and any floors located over unfinished basements.

There are numerous different types of insulation. New homes typically use batting or rolls of blanket insulation, but other common forms of insulation include:

• Blown-in insulation made from cellulose, fiberglass, or mineral wool
• Liquid foam
• Concrete blocks
• Insulating concrete forms
• Structural insulated panels

Once the insulation has been installed, your builder will apply the drywall or plasterboard to the interior walls and ceilings. This is then sanded smooth and primed. They may also apply the first coat of paint. 

Contractors may also apply exterior finishes, like stucco, brick, stone, and siding.

This step begins with installing all the decorative trim in the interiors, like the baseboards, moldings, and windowsills.  Your contractor may also install the cabinets, mantels, and other surrounding touches. The walls also get their finished coat of paint or wallpaper.

This is also when your contractor begins putting in the flooring. You usually have your choice of wood, vinyl, or ceramic. However, any carpeting will come later.

This is when the plumber, electrician, and other subcontractors finish all the interior elements, from light fixtures and switches to HVAC equipment to all the sinks and toilets. All your kitchen appliances also get installed, and if you decide to go with carpeting, this is when that gets put in, too.

With the interiors mostly completed, it’s time to make the exteriors aesthetically pleasing and functional. All the exterior walkways, patio, and driveway get formed. This usually happens closer to the end of the construction timeline because any heavy equipment, like delivery trucks, can damage the concrete or prevent it from setting properly. However, some builders will pour the concrete for the driveway almost immediately with the foundation to give you something to walk on aside from mud and dirt.

With the exterior walkways and driveway set and cured, you can hire a contractor to work on the landscaping. This can be as extensive or as minimal as you want. Work with your landscaper to design a yard and outdoor space that suits all your aesthetic and personal needs. You can, of course, add a garden, flowers, trees, and other greenery later, but it’s a good idea to get the basic layout and foundational pieces placed where you want.

With all the major fixtures and even some furniture set up in the home, you and your team can begin cleaning up the interiors and getting ready to move in.

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Before you can actually move in all your things, a building code official has to perform a final inspection to make sure every single element is up to code. If everything checks out, the inspector provides you with a certificate of occupancy. If they find any defects, you can typically schedule a follow-up inspection to make sure that you fix things or make any necessary repairs.

https://www.ladbs.org/docs/default-source/publications/information-bulletins/building-code/ib-p-bc-2020-109-certificate-of-occupancy-12-05-2019.pdf?sfvrsn=92fef753_6

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