The House Project – What Happens Next?
The House project supports young people leaving care to build their own independence. They can choose their own block of land, design their own home, and select materials and finishes – giving them the opportunity to make their new house truly their own.
Whether you’re planning to build a home from the ground up or are building your dream home on an existing lot, there are many factors that can affect the timeline for your project. Some of the biggest factors include the lot on which you’re building, the climate of your region, and the complexity of your house. It’s important to pad your timeline for any potential delays caused by these factors.
Once you’ve secured your land and obtained the necessary permits, the real work begins! The site of your home will be prepared and the foundation will be poured. This includes clearing the area and digging holes to the required depth, then pouring a concrete slab that will serve as the base of your home. A geotechnical engineer will also visit the property to ensure that the soil can support your home.
After the foundation and excavation are complete, your builder will begin constructing the frame of your home. This will include laying out the footprint of your home, which will be staked out with stakes and rope. Concrete “footers” will then be poured, which must pass inspection before the concrete slab is poured. Once the framing is complete, a sheathing will be applied to the walls and roof. This will protect your home from weather and insects, while allowing water vapor to escape.
Next, plumbing and electrical systems will be installed. This is an especially critical step, as any errors at this point can be costly and time consuming to repair. Once these are in place, your builder will install drywall and insulation. This is an exciting stage in the process as your home will start to really take shape. Once these are completed, your builder will install any cabinetry and trim, paint the interior walls, and apply any molding.
At this point, a walk-through with an inspector will be conducted to verify that all work meets code and is up to your expectations. Delays at this stage can be due to any number of reasons, from the inspector being overworked or dealing with a complicated build, to zoning issues, environmental concerns, or permit problems.
The last step in this phase is the final clean-up and landscaping. This may include laying sod grass, planting a few trees and shrubs, or even a detailed landscaping plan for the entire property. Once all of the components have been installed, the final inspection will be conducted and your lender will release the funds for the completion of your project.
