Building a home is a decision that should be carefully thought out and planned.
You know how you want your new home to look and where you want it built.
But how do you get the keys to your dream home in your hand?
This guide will walk you through the process of home construction from start to finish.
Chris Barbara Development has been the premier commercial and custom home construction expert in West Palm Beach since 1970. We are a Florida Licensed General Contractor offering complete construction, development, and disaster recovery services. Click here to get in touch with us or give us a call at (561) 312-2717.
We offer a design-build service that encompasses every detail of your home construction. We will handle the design, acquiring every permit, contractor management, and complete construction. That way you only have to deal with one company throughout the entire process.
Below you will see what it takes to build a home from beginning to end.
Planning and designing your new home.
If you choose to use our services, this will be the only part of your new home construction that you have to be extensively involved in. We will meet you and listen to your needs about what you want your new home to provide for you.
Then we’ll design the blueprint and layout the plan to have your home built. We will go over every detail to make sure we understand exactly how you want your home to look.
No detail will be missed, and we will carry your needs out to the letter.
Our next step will be to acquire all of the necessary permits and start your home construction.
Preparing the site and pouring the foundation.
If the site of your new home has not been cleared, we will clear and level it to the appropriate specifications. Then we prepare the foundation by installing the footing. This is what secures your foundation to the ground it sits on. Then we pour the concrete that will make up your foundation slab.
Once the concrete has cured, we install the water taps, sewers, and drains. Then comes the first inspection. We will meet with the city inspector to ensure everything is up to code. Once we get to this step, your home construction has officially begun!
Rough framing, HVAC, and plumbing,
We start by doing the rough framing then follow with rough plumbing and electrical HVAC. HVAC refers to Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. The following steps are completed during this phase:
- Flooring system installed.
- Walls and roof systems (framing) are built.
- Plywood or other specified materials are applied to the exterior and roof.
- A “house wrap” is applied to inhibit mold and wood rot.
- Exterior doors are installed.
- All pipes and electrical wiring are installed.
- Water supply lines are laid out.
- Bathtubs and/or showers are installed.
- Ductwork and vent pipes for the HVAC system are installed.
- The roof is installed with tiles or shingles added.
Building inspectors will then come to make sure that the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are up to code.
Insulation is installed.
During the planning phase, we would have discussed with you the various options available for insulating your new home. This critical step will decide what your future energy bills will look like. We will then apply the insulation to your wall, floors, and crawl spaces.
Your home’s interior will start to shape up next.
The following is done next to get you one step closer to moving in:
- Drywall is hung and texturing completed.
- The initial primary paint coat is applied next.
- Doors and windowsills are installed.
- Cabinets and vanities come next.
- Baseboards, molding, and decorative trim are put in place.
- The final coat of interior paint is applied.
Exterior finishing is the next phase.
We are now getting close to completing your home construction. We will install the exterior finish such as brick, stone, or the South Florida favorite – stucco. The exterior siding is also installed.
If they have not already been done when the foundation was laid, driveways and walkways are now formed. If there is a patio in your home construction design, it also is constructed during this phase. The grounds are also prepared for landscaping and the final steps are getting closer.
The many but final steps of your home construction are next.
These final steps are when all the detailed comforts are put in place. We’ll start by installing the flooring and countertops. Then we move on to light fixtures, switches, and outlets. Your HVAC equipment and electrical panel are also put into place.
Mirrors, sinks, shower doors, and kitchen appliances are installed during this phase as well.
The final inspection is done to ensure we made a home that is up to code. The final step to your home construction is the walkthrough.
During our walkthrough, we will go through your new home and get you acquainted with it. We will show you its features and explain how to operate the various systems that were installed. We will also discuss the maintenance schedules and warranties involved.
The finally, you will get your keys and the movers can start bringing the things you need to really make it a “home”.
To find out more about us and the general contracting services we offer, visit our site.