How To Build A House With No Nails

This is it — you're finally making the move to build your very own house, and you couldn't be more excited! It's a huge decision, and it's not one yous've taken lightly. But do y'all know what goes into edifice a house, start to finish?

If not, don't worry — we've got you covered. Nosotros're going to break down all of the steps of edifice a house.

We have a lot of ground to cover, so grab a snack!

A contractor saws through a wooden beam working on the steps to building a house. — (Source: Greyson Joralemon / Unsplash)

Step ane: Observe and purchase the lot

The very first step to building a house is buying the ideal plot of state for your new dwelling.

Think about where y'all'd like to build. Do you desire to live in the country with a large chiliad? Do you lot want to build a house in a growing development with a developer? Does the state already have admission to utilities like water, sewer, and electricity?

Unfortunately, you can't buy any old vacant lot — it must attach to zoning ordinances where you want to build. Mutual zoning designations include:

Residential: Areas designated for unmarried-family homes
Commercial: Areas designated for businesses similar restaurants, retail shops, then on
Industrial: Areas designated for factories
Rural: Areas designated for farming
Historical: Areas designated for the preservation of historical landmarks or buildings
Environmental: Areas designated for the protection of natural habitats
Aesthetic: Structures must adhere to a certain "wait" every bit outlined past zoning codes

Step ii: Research the type of house you desire

In that location are iii types of builds available; spec homes, tract homes, or a fully custom home.

Spec (speculative) homes

Spec homes are unmarried-family homes that are built in a evolution with no detail heir-apparent in heed.

If you go nether contract early on enough on a spec dwelling house, you may be able to choose some features similar flooring, paint, kitchen appliances, and other finishes.

Tract homes

Tract homes are when a developer buys a large plot of land and divides that land into individual lots. They'll then construct homes from specific architectural options planned for that community.

Tract homes could include unmarried-family unit homes, condos, or townhomes.

Custom homes

A custom home is where you take your own plot of land and rent a builder to build a house exactly the style yous want it.

Russell Wing, a height-selling agent who has sold 83% more single-family homes than the average agent in Union Canton, Northward Carolina, shares insight on the benefits of a custom home.

"It's easier to build a custom because y'all have more choices. You can build the firm from the bottom up and in the way you want — you'll have to pay accordingly. With a spec dwelling, your options are limited. Contractors may only offer shades of white or certain cabinets. They're basically cookie-cutter homes."

Regardless of which type of dwelling house you want, you'll want to look at the different floor plans available. Consider things like:

Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Open floor program or not?
The layout of the home
Number of levels or floors

Step 3: Research and rent the building squad

Building a home is a huge project, and the average build will involve 22 subcontractors working on the home.

The first person y'all'll need to hire is the general contractor or a custom home builder. They will oversee the structure of your home from start to finish. Their duties include:

Getting estimates for labor and materials
Vetting and hiring subcontractors (some will have a squad of subcontractors they generally piece of work with and will hire an outside subcontractor for electrical and plumbing work)
Assigning tasks to subcontractors
Making certain the team meets deadlines

Notation: Custom home builders and general contractors are not the same thing, merely they are very similar. A custom home builder draws upward blueprints for the home and specializes in custom homes, whereas a general contractor does non.

Step 4: Get the required permits from the township

Before construction can brainstorm, your contractor will contact your municipal office and discuss your plans. They'll know what permits are necessary and they might already have a relationship with the municipality, which could assistance speed upwardly the process.

Permits you volition demand could include:

Edifice permit ($1,200 to $2,000)
Electrical permit ($10 to $500)
Plumbing allow ($50 to $500)
HVAC permit ($250 to $400)
If a grading let is needed ($100 to $1,000)

If you're on a budget, you could get the permits yourself, but and so you'll be considered the contractor, and you would exist liable if there's a trouble during structure or inspections.

Warning: Do not, nether whatever circumstances, begin construction before obtaining permits! If the city learns that you do not have a permit, yous could confront increased fees to obtain the proper permits, and yous could accept to close down construction until the permits are obtained, or even tear down piece of work you've already completed.

Footstep 5: Clear the property

During this step, a professional land-clearing team volition remove any debris, vegetation, copse, castor, and rocks within the intended build site.

When copse, shrubs, and bushes are removed, the team will too begin removing stump and root systems to prevent re-growth.

Note: If there are a lot of trees that need to exist removed, y'all may have the pick of selling the trees to a commercial logging company so they can exist repurposed and turned into lumber.

Step 6: Level the site

Once the land is cleared, the clearing squad volition fill in whatever holes and level the ground. Then, the team will put up wooden stakes to market place out where the foundation should be poured.

If the country has dips or hills, these will be graded to make sure in that location'south a flat surface to adapt the house and driveway.

Step seven: Prepare the state for the foundation or basement

Using the wooden stakes equally a guide, the team will dig holes and trenches for the foundation, utilities, and septic system if applicative.

Pace viii: Install footings

Footings tin can be made from concrete or brick masonry and are most commonly used with shallow foundations because it distributes the weight of vertical loads direct to the soil. Footings are generally wider than the foundation itself and sit ane foot below the frost line (the typical depth at which the soil freezes in your climate).

Footing drains volition exist constructed so that water drains away from the house and protects the drains from damage.

Pace 9: Pour the foundation

With the footings in place, your dwelling volition have either a slab foundation, a crawlspace, or a full basement poured or constructed.

The concrete will go through a curing process to reach maximum strength. This tin can have anywhere from 28 to lx days, but depending on weather conditions, the building tin can resume after one week.

Regardless of the type of foundation your home will have, information technology will take to be waterproofed.

A builder measures the gaps between beams as part of the steps to building a house. — (Source: Callum Colina / Unsplash)

Step 10: Install drains, sewers, taps

Once the foundation has cured, drains, sewer lines, water taps, and other plumbing that is needed on the first floor will be installed. And then, the contractors will fill up in the trenches surrounding the foundation with excavated clay.

Pace 11: Take an inspection done on the foundation

Later the footings, foundation, plumbing, and electric basics take been laid, there will be an inspection to brand sure the foundation was washed correctly and follows local code requirements.

Some things the inspector will look at typically include:

The footing'south width, depth, and status
Waterproofing
Grading
Reinforced confined

Step 12: Build the frame of the house

Once the inspector gives the project the green light, next comes the framing.

This is where you'll finally see your abode take shape. The framing crew volition erect lumber for the walls, flooring, ceiling, and roof trusses. This step could have between one and ii weeks to complete.

Pace 13: The sheathing is applied to outside walls

The capsule is the big sheets of wood, oriented strand lath, wafer board, or exterior gypsum that'southward nailed to the frame. It's recommended to use half-inch panels to give the structure more strength.

In some cases, insulation capsule (rigid foam or cellulose-fiber panels) may be used to ameliorate insulation. This type tin be attached straight to the studs, below the wood sheathing. Information technology could also be fastened on meridian of the forest capsule.

Adjacent, the capsule is covered with firm wrap, a protective cover that prevents moisture from seeping into the underlying wood, preventing mold and forest rot.

Step xiv: Install windows and exterior doors

With the sheathing attached to the bones of the house, the windows and doors can be installed.

When y'all're shopping for windows and doors, await for free energy-efficient windows with the Energy Star label. Energy-efficient windows and doors will help lower energy costs by keeping the temperature indoors consistent, no affair the temperature outdoors.

Step 15: Install HVAC system

The HVAC technician volition come up in to install ductwork throughout the house. The air handler, condenser, and trim piece of work will be installed besides.

Step 16: Rough plumbing

A plumber will come in and run pipes to the bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room. They will as well install sewer lines, vents, and bathtubs.

This step can be done while the doors and windows are existence installed.

Pace 17: Have an inspector evaluate the new plumbing

Although a licensed plumber may have done the work, an inspector volition have to come up in and inspect the work to make sure everything is done correctly.

The inspector will look for leaks and will ensure that the drains, sewage, and vent pipes pass a pressure test.

Step eighteen: Install electrical wires and panels

This stage is when all of the electric work is done.

The wires are run through the walls and ceilings. The HVAC is hooked up (including the thermostat), and the fans, lights, electrical outlets, external electric work, and the circuit breaker are also hooked up and prepare to go.

Step. 19: Get an HVAC and electrical inspection

In one case the HVAC and electric work are complete, an inspector volition come out and make sure these systems work properly and are completed to lawmaking.

A builder constructs the framing, which is one of the steps to building a house. — (Source: Josh Olalde / Unsplash)

Step twenty: The roof is put on the domicile

The capsule for the roof is generally done when the outside capsule is attached to the walls.

During this stage, the roof will be completed. Roofers will install the flashings and asphalt shingles — but other materials may exist used, such as clay or concrete tile, slate, metal, or wood.

Step 21: Insulation is installed

The blazon of insulation your home will need is going to depend on your location.

Usually, insulation is practical to interior walls, the attic, basement, crawl space, and exterior walls (if it wasn't applied before the sheathing).

The most common types of insulation are fiberglass, cellulose, or cream spray insulation.

Fiberglass insulation is used in unfinished walls, floors and ceilings. It comes in rolls and is installed in-between studs, joists, and beams. The average cost for fiberglass insulation is between $0.64 to $1.19 per square foot.

Cellulose insulation is used in existing and enclosed walls, or new open cavities in the wall. This insulation can be used in unfinished cranium floors and other hard to reach places. This type of insulation can be poured, just is unremarkably diddled into place using special equipment. The average cost of cellulose insulation is between $one.00 to $ane.fifty per square foot.

Cream spray insulation is much like cellulose insulation, every bit it can be applied in enclosed, existing walls, new wall cavities, and unfinished attic floors. It is applied using a spray container (for smaller areas) or a pressure level spray product (for larger areas). The average toll of foam spray insulation is between $one.fifty to $4.90 per foursquare foot.

Step 22: Drywall is hung

Drywall is hung throughout the interior of the business firm, too as on the ceiling.

Step 22b: The walls and ceiling are textured

After the drywall is hung, a texture may exist sprayed on the drywall. Then the walls are primed and so they can be painted.

Footstep 23: Walls are painted

We're nearing the terminal steps to building a house!

At this stage, the walls will be painted, and information technology'll start feeling a little more similar your home.

If you're going with a spec or tract home, y'all may not accept many choices in paint colour, but if it's a custom home, you could have your choice of colors, or even have wallpaper put on the walls.

Footstep 24: Exterior finishes are installed

There are different types of siding that can be applied to your home.

Vinyl siding is the cheapest siding material ($four.50 to $12.50 per square foot) and the near mutual material used for spec and tract homes. However, if you lot're going custom, other options include:

Wood ($viii.l to $14.50 per square human foot)
Fiber cement ($8.50 to $xiv.50 per square foot)
Stucco ($vii.fifty to $xiv.00 per foursquare foot)
Brick ($10.00 to $20.00 per square foot)
Metal ($7.50 to $25.00 per foursquare human foot)
Stone ($11.00 to $35.00 per square foot)

Step 25: Flooring is laid throughout the business firm

Once the paint has dried, floor is laid throughout the house.

Sometimes y'all won't have a pick what blazon of floor you'll become if you're going with a spec or tract home; however, with a custom home, the sky's the limit!

Pace 26: Window sills and trim are completed

When the floor has been laid, next comes the trim.

Trim will be installed around the windows and doors, forth the floor, and if you choose, effectually the ceiling, too (that'due south called crown molding and tin add a sophisticated look to any room).

Footstep 27: Cabinets and vanities are installed

Vanities and cabinets are the next things to be installed in your home.

Spec and tract homes typically come with builder-grade cabinetry, which is the almost basic (and affordable) type of cabinetry you tin can get that even so looks good.

Y'all can opt for higher quality cabinets and vanities, only that volition bear on your budget. Custom cabinets can cost between $500 to $ane,200 per linear foot!

Step 28: Light fixtures, outlets, and switches are installed

After the electrical work is finished, low-cal fixtures, outlets, and switches are hooked up.

These features can be customized to match your personal manner, but you can also opt for plain white ones and upgrade down the route if you choose.

Pace 29: Countertops and appliances are installed in the kitchen

Countertops and appliances are the side by side things to go in. There are a variety of countertops you can choose from, but the virtually pop include:

Quartz ($50 to $200 per foursquare pes)
Granite ($40 to $60 per foursquare foot)
Marble ($12 to $180 per square pes — depending on type)
Laminate ($40 to $80 per square foot)
Solid surfacing ($52 to $120 per square foot)
Recycled glass ($65 to $140 per square foot)
Butcher cake ($40 to $100 per square foot)

Tile is installed in the kitchen, one of the steps to building a house. — (Source: Charles Deluvio / Unsplash)

Footstep 30: Bathroom fixtures are installed

Bath fixtures such every bit faucets, showerheads, toilets, estrus annals covers, and other features are added during this stage.

Footstep 31: Mirrors are hung

Along with bathroom fixtures, mirrors are hung in the bathroom and other spaces, including walk-in closets, bedrooms, and workout rooms (if in a custom domicile).

Step 32: Landscaping and hardscaping is completed

You lot took so much intendance into what goes in the house; you can't forget about the exterior!

A professional landscaper can come in and lay down sod, establish copse, or flowers. They'll install walkways, build decks or patios, create garden walls, and then much more.

This is your gamble to make your yard an oasis that leaves your neighbors dark-green with envy!

Step 33: Final home inspection

The final home inspection is where a home inspector looks over everything.

They'll double-check the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. They'll inspect doors, windows, the foundation, the roof, and more. If the construction passes the inspection, they'll give you lot a certificate of occupancy, which ways it's inhabitable and safe to alive in.

If there are any issues, another inspection may be required after those problems take been stock-still.

Step 34: Final walkthrough

The final walkthrough is your opportunity to get through the house and make sure everything is as you requested.

You'll want to pay shut attention to the details and have notation of anything that isn't what y'all discussed or approved with your contractor. You'll also want to wait for whatsoever signs of impairment that may have occurred during the last stages of construction, such as gouges in countertops, dented or scratched appliances, deep scratches on the hardwood floors, or damaged walls.

Stride 35: Closing

If everything passes inspection and you don't find any problems that need to be addressed during the terminal walkthrough, you tin can begin the closing procedure on the abode. Hurray!

The framework of a new home, which is one of many steps to building a new house. — (Source: Avel Chuklanov / Unsplash)

Don't be overwhelmed past the steps to build a house

The boilerplate homebuyer looks at at to the lowest degree 10 houses in 10 weeks before submitting an offer on a house. There are times when they can't observe a house they want to buy and they'll get with a new build. Why, new construction homes are in such high demand that authorization for new residential construction edifice permits increased by 30.ii% from March 2020 to March 2021. Inside that same fourth dimension frame, 1,739,000 homes began structure, and 1,580,000 houses were completed.

If you decide that new construction is correct for you, but you're uncertain most what type of new build yous'd like to go with, look at your budget and effort to determine the level of customization you want and how much house your upkeep will allow for.

"You can go to a tract home and get a lot more than square footage for the money than you could with a custom build. Information technology'south a cookie-cutter home, and the quality may not be as good as a custom build, but building custom is harder today because the price of materials has skyrocketed," Wing advises.

If customization isn't high on your list, a tract dwelling house or spec home is a great pick. Notwithstanding, if yous desire a house that reflects your personality from the moment you sign the closing papers, and so a custom home is the way to go!

Header Image Source: (Jens Behrmann / Unsplash)