Building a New Home: A step-by-step.
Part II
- Preparing land for development
- Foundations
- Grading & Back-fill
- Framing & Roof & Utilities
- Exterior works
- Interior works
- Kitchen & Vanities& Counter-tops.
Today, we’ll cover 4 & 5 and continue on in the following days.
4. Framing & Roof & Utilities
Now we can start framing and other jobs which are due once we have foundation in place. Basement and framing can count for one third of the entire project. Starting with exterior walls we will go all the way to the top. It’s critical to prepare yourself for this step: all of your subcontractors should be ready by this time and materials are waiting to be delivered. Your lumber supplier should calculate the required amount of lumber for your projects as well as roof trusses. It’s much more convenient and faster to pre-manufacturer roof trusses on a factory and brings it, already assembled, on the site. While we are working on framing, other jobs have to be initiated in the same time to ensure speed of the project.
Framing and walls.
Once we finished with foundation we can proceed to frame and walls – skeleton of the house. On this stage you will see how your new house is starting to have shapes inside and outside. You will build new rooms, future openings, windows frames, closets, and many other thing that you were working on for the past month with your designer. Its all still out of plain wood yet, and there is a lot of works have to be done before it will be finished.
Utilities rough-in.
House has a lot of plumbing connections, wires, vacuum tubes, etc, that are covered by drywall. Therefore it has to be installed while there are no walls. New plumbing tubes, HVAC ducts, electrical wires. This is also the last time to do any small interior changes. To add more lights, move washroom or closet, make some rooms bigger or smaller, etc.
Windows and Doors installations.
Once you accomplished the frame and cover roof with plywood you can install your windows and doors. On average its takes up to 8 weeks to make your windows at a factory so its very important to order your windows and exterior doors as soon as you have you drawings on hand. Other way your project will be delayed as you cannot proceed with interior works until you close your house.
Concrete slab and connections to the city electrical grid and water system.
Upon completion of the framing its time for small structures concrete guys to show up and finish their part. They have to connect your utilities pipes with the cities, cover everything with concrete slab in the basement, install new slab in garage, and build your stairs and porch. If you have walk outs then finish them as well. Usually its two different contractors for foundation walls and slabs. Despite the common grounds its two completely different steps of construction.
Roof installations
Once you have finish installing your roof trusses and cover it with plywood. It’s time for roofers to show up and finish it with shingles. There are various types and styles of shingles to choose from to satisfy any budget and taste. However it’s the best to check the references for the roofers as well as to keep small portion of entire contract payment until heavy rain pass to make sure the roof is covered and not leaking.
5 Exterior works
Exterior works. Upon accomplishment of your rough carpentry and sealing your house under the roof, it is time to start work on your exterior look and think of downspouts, soffit and other aluminum elements of the house. There are four main options exist to cover your walls from outside: brick, stone, siding or stucco. Each of this options is plausible and last long, however the costs of each category is quite different from one another, as well as the meter of your preferences.
Brick construction.
Brick is the most common way for exterior look in GTA and other big cities, however its become quite rare in rural areas of Canada or US due to multiple reasons. Brick construction is one of the most expensive way to finish exteriors of the house and requires skilled and experience team to install it. It also required a manufacture of the brick located close to the sites. Transportation cost of this heavy material can skyrocket the price. It creates a solid, monumental looks of your home, and add to the value of the house, however sometimes its more plausible to find an alternative solution.
Stone Construction
Stone is most expensive exterior finish you can think of. This way of finishes was know for many years and still attract a lot of attentions. It creates a unique, solid looks of the house. But this attraction has its cost. The price of such installation are very high, that’s why its rare to see a house finished entirely by stone. In majority of houses we use it as design elements to highlight a special feature of a house.
Stucco Construction
Stucco construction is relatively new technology used for exterior finish of the house. It gives a house a very easy, light weight looks. There are many options available to make it look different and unique. Stucco is also a cheaper way to finish the exterior of the house.
Siding Construction
Siding construction is one of the most efficient and money wise exterior finish to day. Its cost almost three times cheaper then Brick and Stucco, and provides a nice, easy going looks.
Eaves trough, Downspouts, Soffit and Fascia.
Another part of exterior works are aluminum elements like eaves trough, downspouts, soffit and fascia. You also can consider to install additional outside shutters or cover your porch roof with metal. Those jobs usually done by one contractor. Those things a very important to your house. Professionally installed aluminum elements will protect your house from water damage by collecting and removal of water away from house, make sure that air is circulated freely in your attic.
