Phases of a House Project

If you’re thinking about building a new home, you’ll need to secure the necessary permits and hire an architect or engineer to make your plans. This can cost anywhere from $500 – $20,000, depending on the complexity of your project and where it is located. Next, contractors will prepare the site for construction by clearing away underbrush and removing or moving any trees that could interfere with building the foundation. This phase typically takes a few weeks and costs an average of $6,500.

Once the foundation is set, construction on your new house begins. Contractors will dig a hole to pour your basement, crawl space or slab foundation, a process that can take a few weeks. During this time, you’ll be able to see the progress as dirt disappears and concrete sets. After the foundation is complete, your builder will pour the footers and then construct the frame of your house. This skeleton of your new house will give you a sense of its shape, size and location of windows and doors.

The framing stage is an exciting time for homeowners, because it’s the first time your new house will start to take shape. If you want to add extra insulation, drywall or interior doors, this is the time to do it. You can also revisit your “nice-to-have” list at this point and decide if you want to install an outdoor fireplace ($5,000 – $100,000), a screened-in porch ($2,200-$6,100) or even a pool (up to $36,000).

Once the framing is done, the builder will finish up any outside work that was started, including adding siding and brickwork, installing rain gutters and laying a new driveway. This is the most rewarding part of the entire project, as you’ll be able to see all of the materials that you chose and worried about starting to take shape in your new house.

The finishing stage is the final stretch to making your new house a livable, functional and beautiful place to call home. This includes adding insulation, drywall, paint and the rest of the behind-the-scenes items that will turn the structure into a thriving and comfortable residence. If you’ve added a deck, patio or a shed to your house project, it will be installed at this time, too. This is also the time to install your cabinets and countertops, appliances and add any other finishing touches that you’d like to have in your new home.