What Are The Steps To Build A Home?

The steps to build a home are basic building blocks of knowledge you can use to bring that dream home to fruition!

Have you thought and dreamed of one day building your own home? I'm going to assume the answer is yes because you're here reading this site. Naturally, your next question would be:

What are the steps to build a home?

Well dear reader, you have come to the right place! A custom home project has different variations and phases but usually follows in a step by step process.

The following list will explain how to build a house.....

Let's begin!

Steps to build a home:

1. Make your decision with plans to build a home



2. Learn how to make a budget and organize your finances



3. Select the parcel of land that you want to make an offer



4. Find out if the parcel can tap into county water and sewage and at what cost?



5. If you can't get county water and sewage from the parcel, you will need the owner of the land to provide you with documentation (A perc test ) of whether the soil will absorb the discharge of a septic system



6. If the owner can provide you documentation, make your offer



1. View my vacant land financing page for vital information that will save you money!

7. Obtain land financing (not easy in uncertain economic times) unless you are paying cash



8. Purchase the Land



9. Choose the home floor plans that fulfill your wildest desires! (within your price range, of course!)



10. Hire a local architect to review your plans to build a home to make sure you can get building permit approval



11. Interview and select your general contractor (unless you plan on being your own GC)



12. Submit your architect reviewed plans to build a home to your county building department for permit approvals



13. Search around for the best construction loan rates and apply for a construction loan



14. Pick up your building permits from the county and pay all required permit fees



15. Secure and finalize your construction loan financing



16. Once approved, your lender will order a prospective (future value) appraisal, get a copy for your records (this will help better determine your budget)



17. Hire a state registered surveyor to stake (set boundaries) your lot. Having a survey done is really important. You need to know what setbacks and restrictions your county has placed on your lot. It's better to have a professional surveyor handle this for you. It's not pretty to have to rip down your concrete foundation and start over because you violated a county setback restriction. If you build it according to your surveyors boundaries and violate restrictions, the survey company is liable for your foundation removal (a costly expense)



18. Excavate (clear) your land to make it a buildable lot. This requires heavy machinery to dig large holes in the site for your foundation. Your general contractor should take care of this process for you. However you should communicate with your GC to let them know what portions of the scenery you would like to preserve



19. Prepare and hook up utilities. This includes water (public or well, if public water isn't available in your area), sewer (public or septic tank), electric (or gas)



20. Set up your footings and trenches at the base of the foundation



21. Pour your concrete foundation into the trenches. The foundation must be built several feet below grade (the furtherest depth that land will freeze) in cold climates. If your home will have a basement, your foundation will be dug at least 8 feet deep



22. Add rough exterior framing



23. Install the roof



24. Install windows



25. Install exterior doors



26. Add rough interior framing



27. Install fireplaces



28. Install the HVAC system



29. Install rough-in plumbing



30. Install electrical and mechanical



31. Apply insulation to the interior walls. Also, some counties require an inspection from the building department when insulation is installed before drywall can be put up



32. Add interior drywall and ceiling finish



33. Add exterior siding, stucco, brick veneer, or stone



34. Add cabinets, interior doors, and moldings



35. Install the tile and counters



36. Apply interior paint



37. Install plumbing and electrical fixtures



38. Lay the flooring down for the rest of the home



39. Install appliances and finish last minute carpentry



40. Request a final inspection from the county



41. Obtain your certificate of occupancy



42. Convert your construction loan to permanent financing



43. Style your landscaping, including exterior additons (ex. deck)



44. Enjoy Your New Home!

Here is a condensed version of the steps to build a home:


% of Completion per phase of how to build a house

10% Foundation, basement, or concrete slab and utility hookup
20% Rough framing
30% Roof decking
40% Roof cover, windows, and exterior doors
50% Insulation, rough in plumbing, electrical and mechanical
60% Exterior wall cover OR interior drywall and ceiling finish
70% Exterior wall cover AND interior drywall and ceiling finish
80% Cabinets, interior doors and trim
90% Painting and plumbing fixtures
100% Floor cover, appliances, light fixtures, and finish hardware

I hope this list gave you a comprehensive view of the steps to build a home. To return to the home building plans page or home page click below.

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