How to Build a House
Wondering how to build a house? Most homes in America are built according to standard operating procedures, meaning that there is a step by step process for building a home.
Building a House Tips
Here are some tips for building a house to get you started, along with a short description.
- Grading and site preparation — The first step to building a house is making the ground level and clearing the site of rocks, trees, or bushes that might get in the way of construction.
- Foundation construction — Depending on the area of the country you build in, the home may be built on a concrete slab, a slab with a basement, or built up on posts.
- Framing — The framing crew of a house construction project builds basic wall structures on the slab then raises them into place. Framing also includes framing the home’s roof.
- Installation of windows and doors — This is the next step in “enclosing” the house. All the home’s windows and doors will be installed before moving on to finishing the roof.
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How to Build a House
Roofing
— Though the basic roof frame has been built, the actual roof goes on next. Usually made of asphalt shingles, roofing can usually be done in a day’s work depending on the size of the home. - Siding — Builders put up scaffolds to put siding on the house, if siding is being used. This acts as insulation and adds an element of beauty to a home.
- Electrical — Once the basic structure is complete, it is time to hook up the home to electricity and install electrical outlets in the home.
- Plumbing — There is a uniform plumbing code for houses — used water and human waste is really toxic to the environment, so proper plumbing installation is key.
- Insulation — By installing insulation, you lower the heating and cooling costs of a home.
- Drywall — This is a half-inch layer of material that is sandwiched between two thick sheets of paper. It is a solid and heavy interior surface for a home.
- Underlayment — This material covers the sub flooring and provides additional insulation and works as a vapor barrier, keeping the interior of your home dry.
- Counters and cabinets — These are simple — just align them along the wall and screw them into the thick wall studs.
- Carpet and flooring — An installation company will usually come and handle all the carpet and flooring, working as subcontractors.
- Punch list — This is the final step of a home build in which a builder walks through and makes notes on any final changes or additions needed on a home.
It may seem impossible, but putting together a house is really just a process of doing one thing after another in the right order, and building to a specific code. Building a home is a complicated process that usually involves several sub contractors and multiple workers throughout the building process. When you break down the home building process into the above steps, it seems more manageable. Though there are more steps to building a house than listed above, these are the basic steps.