Introduction

Building a new home can feel like an intimidating process, especially if you have never done it before. However, when the homebuilding process is broken down into individual steps, it seems like a much more realistic adventure. Visualizing the process one step at a time makes the first step feel more like a normal stride and less like a giant leap.

The longer the homebuilding process takes, the more the costs can add up. This is one reason it is so important to know what to expect before jumping in with both feet. Understanding the typical timeline before starting makes it possible to plan ahead. The more preparation you can do in advance, the more efficient and cost-effective the process will be.  

It’s also important to understand your responsibilities as a homeowner throughout the process. Although the construction crew does all the physical heavy lifting, you must take an active role in the process in order for it to be successful. You as the homeowner are an integral part of the team, and the job includes making decisions in a timely manner and managing certain aspects of the project.

This guide provides a snapshot of the overall process and breaks it down into detailed steps. Of course, individual circumstances are always different, but having a general idea of the typical process is an essential step in the journey to building a new custom home.

STAGE 01 – 1-2 Weeks

Getting Started

Your first meeting with us includes a discussion about the type of home, your reason for building a custom home, details about the land, and, of course, the budget.

If you don’t already have land, this is part 01. You can use our resources to find land or work with local real estate agents to find land. If you don’t know how to tell if land is buildable or not, you can have us inspect prospective properties for a small fee for each property.

If you don’t already have design plans, then our first step is to sign an agreement for design work. This agreement will include the entire cost of the design work, which takes place in stages throughout the process. The cost depends on how many details we help you with. For example, if we are only creating the floor plan and you are choosing all the finish materials yourself, that will cost less than having us help you choose every finish material and appliance during the design process.

Once completed and paid for, you’ll first work with our interior designer to draw up a floor plan and exterior designs that meet your needs and desires within your given budget. We’ll also create the kitchen cabinet design and place objects in bathrooms, for now. But we won’t go into exactly what all those finish materials are just yet. The rest will be done throughout other stages so-as not to overwhelm you with decisions.

If you need financing, we will calculate a high end ballpark estimate of the total project cost, which includes land, the cost of site development, and the building of the home. With this number, you will be able to be prequalified for financing based on the expected potential costs of the entire project. Prequalification allows the project to move forward to the next step: the site visit.

Builder Responsibilities

• Gather information about the desired features and custom home plans
• Provide cost estimates for the land, site development, and home
• Deliver prequalification parameters

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Gather personal financial information
• Define project goals and the budget
• Complete prequalification paperwork
• Choose or Provide Basic Design Plan

STAGE 02 – 1-3 Days

Evaluating Land

After you are prequalified, you and the Designer or a Project Manager will schedule a site visit with a land surveyor to evaluate the land together and determine what is needed to develop the site. Site development might include tasks such as tree removal, installing a septic system, putting in a temporary driveway for construction vehicles, and blasting to remove underground rock. Because every site is different, the requirements and associated costs will vary from project to project, but a land surveyor will help give us a general idea of what we can expect.

This is also the opportunity to decide where on the land the home will be situated. Factors such as view from your windows, orientation to the street, and privacy considerations will help guide this decision. Soon after the site visit, your interior designer should provide you a Free Plot Plan drawing which shows how your home will sit on your land.

Builder Responsibilities

• Give recommendations for house placement and orientation
• Provide a Site Evaluation with a local Land Surveyor.
• Provide cost estimates for site development and a plot plan.
• Visit the building jurisdiction and verify the important characteristics of your site using our Jurisdictional Checklist.

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Decide where the home will be situated on the land.
• Begin thinking of where the permanent driveway will be
• Begin thinking of landscape design ideas.

STAGE 3 – 2-3 Weeks

Completing the Designs and Estimate

After you have created your custom floor plan, obtained prequalification, and completed the site visit, the next step is to go back into the design plans and choose your finishes from a selection of options provided by your designer. For many people, this is an exciting time, because it is when you can see the vision for your new home starting to come together.

We work diligently to provide the pricing for all of the options you may want, while working closely with you to stay within your budget. After the options and finishes are selected, it is time to order your new custom home!

This is your opportunity to select features such as

• Cabinets and hardware
• Countertops
• Flooring
• Doors, Windows and Hardware
• Trim Molding
• Toilets, Tubs and Vanities
• Plumbing Fixtures
• Paint Colors
• Tile color and style

You don’t have to make all these decisions at once, but all these decisions do need to be finalized in order to create an accurate estimate for you to approve of to get started building. If we work together just one hour a day, we should be able to make all these decisions in 5 days or less.

Builder Responsibilities

• Provide a selection of finishes appropriate for your budget
• Make any changes to the design plans requested by customer and adjust the cost of the estimate accordingly.
• Complete the material order

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Decide which finishes to include in the home
• Review the design plans one last time and see if there are any last second changes you would like to make.
• Sign off on the material order

STAGE 4 – 5-7 Days

Completing the Agreement

After the custom floor plan is approved and all finished materials are selected and approved, the next step is reviewing and approving the Agreement. This is your opportunity to review the final project budget and make a decision whether to move forward or make additional changes.

Once all changes are made and a final budget is approved of, we will sign the Agreement, which will include a payment schedule for the phases of the building process.

The biggest unknown factor that might be cause for change orders is the site development and excavation work. Land can be very fickle and throw surprises at us that will have to be dealt with if they arise. Other than this, everything else is very predictable with our experience.

But keep in mind, your estimate is just that, an estimate. It’s always best to have a side budget for additional expenses of at least 20%. Don’t worry, though. We will factor that into your budget when creating your estimate.

Builder Responsibilities

• Review final estimate and design plans to make final changes to bring estimate properly within budget
• Sign Agreement and collect agreed upon Deposit
• Talk you through the site development steps, construction stages and your responsibilities throughout the building process.

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Help us make any final changes to bring estimate properly within budget
• Approve of final estimate
• Sign Agreement and pay agreed upon Deposit

STAGE 5 – 2-4 Weeks

Drafting the Drawings & Permitting

After the order is finalized, and Ratified, your interior designer needs time to complete the full set of construction drawings. During this time, they will create the construction documents that will be used to build the home. These plans will contain the agreed-upon floor plan, site plan, architectural drawings, framing plans, and all the selected material options, customizations and finishes.

After the Agreement is signed and the Construction Drawings are finished, the next step is for your interior designer to submit the building permit package and construction drawings to receive the building permit. Every new home requires a building permit, and depending on where the home is located, there may be other approvals required from Homeowners associations, architectural reviews or other requirements. 

Although it may seem like a lot of red tape, the permitting process exists to keep homeowners safe by ensuring that the home meets minimum code requirements. But don’t worry! We’ll be taking care of most of this work for you as a CT Registered Builder. The Deposit you paid when signing the Agreement is expected to be able to cover the permitting fees.

The amount of time it takes to receive permit approval will vary depending on the permit type and the local permitting process. Some jurisdictions can process permits in days or weeks, while others have a longer wait time. Although obtaining a permit for a new home is often as simple as submitting the application and receiving approval, the process might also include responding to questions or meeting with the local permitting department.

Builder Responsibilities

• Ratify the order and complete full set of construction drawings.
• Complete the Building Permit Package.
• Provide you with copies of your Construction Drawings.
• Submit paperwork and work with the jurisdiction for approved building permits.
• Respond to questions from permitting authorities

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Continue to work with the lender for funding.
• Acknowledge understanding your requirements during the site development and construction process.
• Wait for approval of the permits.
• Provide additional information if necessary.
• Assist interior designer by providing information as needed to answer additional questions, or potentially meet with the local permitting department in person with us.

STAGE 6 – 4-6 Weeks

Site Development and Foundation

After the permits have been approved, we are free to move forward with site development. The specific steps will vary depending on the project needs and the site features, but could include tasks such as clearing the site, coordinating the excavation, installing a septic system, and connecting to local utilities. Then we can build the foundation.

Our estimate will have included a price for all this work, but please remember to keep in mind that this is the biggest unknown factor in the building process and may end up costing more, which is why we try to make sure our estimate leaves at least 20% left in your total budget.

Builder Responsibilities

• Coordinate with local contractors to perform the necessary site work and foundation construction
• Complete individual site-work tasks as needed
• Ensure Contractors have all the materials they will need to complete their portion of the project
• Manage the site-development process

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Inspect the site as needed.
• Ask any questions and raise any issues for us to resolve.

STAGE 7 – 3-6 Months

Framing, Roofing and Siding

Once the Foundation is in place the framing can begin. Your interior designer will work with the framers to ensure the structure is built according to the plans you designed together. You will be invited to inspect the work being done at various points throughout each stage of the building process to give you the opportunity to ask any questions and raise any issues for us to resolve.

Builder Responsibilities

• Coordinate with local contractors to perform the necessary framing and sheathing work.
• Complete individual site-work tasks as needed
• Ensure Contractors have all the materials they will need to complete their portion of the project
• Manage the building process

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Inspect site as needed
• Ask questions and raise issues for us to resolve

STAGE 8 – 2-4 Months

Plumbing, Electrical, Insulation, Sheetrock

Once the framing and sheathing are complete and the exterior doors and windows installed, we can begin Phase 03 of the building process. Your interior designer will coordinate with local contractors to install the roof and exterior siding, as well as rough in the electrical and plumbing.

Builder Responsibilities

• Coordinate with local contractors to perform the necessary roofing, siding plumbing and electrical work.
• Complete individual site-work tasks as needed
• Ensure Contractors have all the materials they will need to complete their portion of the project
• Manage the building process

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Inspect site as needed
• Ask questions and raise issues for us to resolve

STAGE 9 – 1-2 Months

Interior Finish Work

We use only our own trained employees to complete all the finish work in order to keep the quality of the finish work as high as possible for as long as possible. The same crew will be used to install the insulation, drywall, flooring, doors and windows and trim work. Then they will paint all the trim work and doors, ceilings and walls. Finally, they will install the cabinets, countertops, vanities, toilets and tubs and take care of any final touch ups.

Builder Responsibilities

• Coordinate with local contractors to perform the interior finish work.
• Complete individual site-work tasks as needed
• Ensure Contractors have all the materials they will need to complete their portion of the project
• Manage the building process

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Inspect site as needed
• Ask questions and raise issues for us to resolve

STAGE 10 – 1-2 Weeks

Landscaping and Driveway

With all the building work complete it’s time finish the landscaping and install a finished driveway. All remaining piles of dirt, rock and sand will with used to landscape your property. Any excess will be trucked away. Your lawn will be nicely covered with topsoil and have SOD laid down to finish it off with instant grass.

Builder Responsibilities

• Coordinate with local contractors to perform the necessary Landscaping and Driveway installation.
• Complete individual site-work tasks as needed
• Ensure Contractors have all the materials they will need to complete their portion of the project
• Manage the building process

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Inspect site as needed
• Ask questions and raise issues for us to resolve

“Actively participating in the process ensures that the final product is exactly what your ordered”

STAGE 11 – 1-2 Days

Wrapping it Up

When your new home is substantially complete, you’ll do a pre-walk with the interior designer to create what is called a “punch list.” This is the list of tasks that need to be completed before you move in, so pay close attention to every detail as you walk through the home. This is your last chance to catch any errors or incomplete items. If you want something fixed and it’s not on the punch list, you shouldn’t assume that it will get done.

Builder Responsibilities

• Work with Homeowner during inspection to identify items that need to be completed prior to moving in
• Complete final customer responsibilities during construction for the home’s completion.

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Complete final in home inspection with interior designer to create punch list of items to be finalized before the job is complete and you can move in.

STAGE 12

The Dream Becomes Reality

The team needs time to complete the items on the punch list before your home orientation and the handover of the keys. The home orientation consists of a final walk through the home, an instruction packet for all of the new systems in the home, and enrollment in a warranty program. This is your chance to learn how to maintain your new home, so make sure you closely review the instruction packet and ask questions if anything is unclear.

Builder Responsibilities

• Perform all punch-list items
• Walk the homeowner through all the new systems
• Enroll the homeowner in a warranty program

Homeowner Responsibilities

• Ensure that all punch-list items are complete
• Review manuals to understand all new home systems
• Ask questions about home maintenance
• Obtain a certificate of occupancy
• Move in!