Buying a new construction home is exciting. It also can be a little unnerving when the home isn’t done yet. Buying new comes with benefits but as it is being built certain steps to determine the length of time and when it is finished. Here are 8 steps we’ve identified in building a new home.
Construction Site Preparation
Construction always begins with clearing the site. Stafford has an excavation team that prepares the building site of debris and rocks. If needed, grading of the property is also done to provide a spot ready to pour a foundation. Stafford during this process will recycles debris instead of sending it into the landfill. The excavation team will use debris from the land clearing for mulch on the property, colorize the items, and mix with other materials such as construction wood to turn into landscaping. The final step is to dig trenches and holes for the foundation.
Foundation Preparation and Pour
The foundation begins with laying forms that serve as templates for pouring concrete. The forms are laid within the trenches that the excavation team had dugout. Rebar is laid within the foundation to provide structural support to the concrete. Concrete is also poured in holes that were laid by the excavation team for the post pier pads that support the beams for framing the house.
After the foundation is poured the construction team waits for the concrete to cure which often takes a couple of weeks. During this phase, no further construction is started until the concrete has completely cured. Once the concrete is dry, waterproofing the foundation walls, plumbing, and drains are laid. Then the excavation team back fills the foundation for added support. Finally, a city inspector comes and approves that the foundation is built properly and to code.
Frame, Siding and Roofing
Framing is the part that the house begins to take shape. Framers layout the framework of the home based on the home design. Floors followed by walls, 2nd floor (if applicable), and roof are built out which gives the home the bones for everything like the floor and roof. Next, a Stafford home will take on a sheathing that gives the home additional support. The home will have exterior walls and the roof to cover the interior of the home. At this point, the home begins to take shape and look like a house.
Utilities HVAC Installation
Utilities and HVAC are laid and installed. Contractors for plumbing and electrical begin installing pipes and wires throughout the home’s walls, floor, and ceiling. Also, fireplaces, HVAC systems along with ventilation are installed throughout the home.
At Stafford, we take additional steps to optimize the HVAC system. We focus on centralizing the HVAC system in the home to reduce operating costs. The ventilation pipes are insulated to reduce waste from air leakage and temperature loss. Also, air intake is run from the unit to the outside to provide fresh air for the house making the home healthier.
Sealing & Insulation
Stafford Homes are highly energy-efficient due to our focus on sealing and insulation. The floor and ceiling are sealed along edges next to the walls to reduce heat loss. This simple process creates a barrier to prevent warm and cool air from easily escaping the house.
The home is then insulated with above code insulation. Stafford uses R-60 (code requires R-38) insulation for the ceilings, R-24 (code requires R-13/17) for the walls, and R-30 for the floors. Insulation in blown-in the walls by creating a thin wall barrier around the exterior of the house. This allows us to blow insulation that increases the density of the insulation improving the insulation. By improving the insulation, many Stafford homes have lower heating and cooling bills than many other home builders.
Drywall & Paint
Drywall is added throughout the house ceiling and walls. Taping, mudding, and texturing are applied throughout the house. Next, a primer is applied to the walls to help except the coat of paint. Followed by a consistent coverage of paint. We choose to use volatile organic paint throughout the house.
Installation of cabinets, hard floors, and counter tops and hard surfaces.
Next, the installation of home cabinets, hard floors, and countertops. The cabinets are added to the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. The flooring is laid for the hard floors within a day or two. Finally, the countertops are installed. Tiles is laid in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Finishing Touches
At this stage, everything about the home is coming together. Carpets are installed, paint is added, lighting fixtures are installed, bathroom mirrors, appliances, and exterior landscaping are all finalized. We finish-up with cleaning the home.
Final Walk-through
A home with Stafford allows you the opportunity to do a final walk-through. The final walk-through covers features, operations, and maintenance responsibilities that come with the home. Also, you’ll have the opportunity to look over the house for any last-minute touch-ups. It is an opportunity to double-check our work from floor to ceiling.
