Building a Custom Home Step-By-Step

The building process of a custom home, room addition, second story or even a simple renovation can be a daunting process. The complexity of the process can give people significant cause to want to understand what they are getting into before they commit to such an unknown. For example an average home has over 35,000 individual parts, to complete requires between 85 and 120 suppliers and contractors, and usually requires, in some cases, up to 5,000 on-site man-hours to complete construction of a new custom home.

Building a house requires carefully planning, scheduling and coordinating material deliveries and subcontractors. House construction is a step-by-step process, in which each step is dependent upon the prior steps having been correctly completed. A defect at any stage can cause problems with every step that follows.

With all this being said, the simplest way to understand the overall process is to divide the total process into smaller individual parts. In an attempt to break-down the construction process, let us start with the main elements that are linked together in various ways.

Introductory meeting
The first step in the process is getting to know each other. The process of building someone's vision and dreams requires good communication and a good working relationship among all parties. This process can last 30-days for a simple remodel or up to 12-months for a new ground up custom home. A good interpersonal connection between the contractor and homeowner is invaluable.

During the introductory meeting our goal is to determine the homeowner's ultimate vision for their completed project. We ask detailed questions regarding the project interior finishes, styles of different products and what the overall project architecture will consist of; i.e. Contemporary, Craftsman, Spanish or Tuscan. We will tell you a bit more about us and how we work, discuss the project scope, timing and what the ultimate budget is for the project. If we feel after this get to know you initial meeting that both parties are a good fit, we'll move forward to review the project in greater detail. If the homeowner already has an architect and preliminary building plans, we will complete a full detail project proposal, hard cost or cost plus estimate and detail proposal on the full project scope, finishes, allowance and owner responsibilities. If the homeowner has not yet gotten that far, we can present a full design/build proposal in which we will help design the home or remodel and then build the final permitted plan and make your dreams come true.

Pre-construction Planning
Planning is the most important stage of a construction project. This is where Precision West Builders provides you with the greatest benefit when we are involved early. If you have already engaged the services of a licensed architect, we will work with you and your architect to review and finalize the overall design and interior elements of your home. Our complete involvement includes:

• Reviewing the proposed design and offering detailed costs and timelines for each
• Evaluating potential construction methods and materials
• Providing feedback on construction feasibility
• Value engineering suggestions to improve the fit of your needs to the budget
• Site review, regulatory concerns, geotechnical surveys and site research

If you're not already working with an architect, Precision West Builders will still help you bring your vision to reality. Our experienced architects will help create your new dream home along with you. In either case, our goal is to make certain no detail is left behind, all options are discussed, and the right people are involved. Our goal is to make this a pleasant and enjoyable experience and walk each customer along step by step through the process.

Contracts & Financing
Precision West Builders estimating staff and project managers work behind the scenes to develop pricing based on the plans, specifications, and scope of your project. We have the flexibility to bid the job as a "Hard Cost" job proposal or a "Cost Plus" job proposal. Once the price has been fine tuned and agreed to, clear, concise contract documents are prepared.

Contract details include:

• Detailed description of work
• Terms of payment based upon milestone completions
• Commencement and completion dates
• Insurance, warranty, and dispute resolution issues.

After contract documents are signed, loans are typically opened, or proof of financing is established. We are familiar with most local banks and mortgage companies and are happy to help make arrangements for your financing needs.

Permits, Scheduling & Purchasing
During this phase, we secure building permits and any necessary architectural approvals needed to proceed. A construction schedule is developed, including timetables for various building stages and finalized material selections and design decisions. We also order materials and supplies, and begin coordinating with subcontractors for any specialty work that may be needed. Should you desire to bring in any of your own subcontractors or suppliers, we will include them as part of the team to assure a seamless process.

Land Development/Site Layout
Kicking construction off is perhaps the most exciting phase ... your home is now on its way. Land development is probably the least understood area of the entire process. This includes excavation and grading, site clearing, sewer or septic fields, water and bringing in and connecting the necessary underground utilities.

Land surveyors are engaged to layout and locate the corners of the new proposed structure and the house is caulked out and all of the site dimensions are re-confirmed. Once the orientation of the home is confirmed, tractors are brought in and the footings are dug according to the house plans and foundation specifications. All of the underground plumbing lines are installed, covered with plastic and shaded with sand. All of the rebar and concrete forms are installed and sited with laser levels to confirm a flat slab. At this point, a city inspection is necessary for foundation and underground utilities and if necessary, a foundation soils report is completed.

Once the footings and underground utilities inspection is signed off by the city, the concrete for your foundation is poured and all of the required foundation hardware is placed within the slab. The concrete is allowed to cure overnight and the next morning the framing process will begin.

Framing
After your foundation is poured, the framers begin to build the exterior shell which will become the "skin" of your home. When the framed structure is in place, this will include all interior and exterior walls and sheeted roof. The house is beginning to really take shape. At this point, another inspection is required. This is referred to as the Framing Inspection.

The next step is to install all of the exterior doors & windows and dry the building in by installing waterproof paper on the exterior framing and roof. All of the rough utilities are installed, which includes the electrical, plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, and technical systems. At this time, we schedule a walk-through with the customer to review progress and identify locations of electrical, cable, telephone and unique plumbing applications. Another inspection is scheduled which is referred to as the Rough-All and Exterior.

Insulating/Drywall and Stucco
The next step is to insulate the structure. The code requires that all exterior walls, roof, subfloor and garage be insulated. Some customers want all of the interior walls and ceiling insulated as well to help with sound transfer. Another city inspection is scheduled call "Insulation Inspection". This is very quick inspection and now allows for the building to be dry walled. The drywall installation requires several different processes and sometimes requires several different drywall crews. The first is drywall hanging. This is the process of screwing or nailing the drywall to the entire interior framing members. Once complete, a drywall nail inspection is required by the local building department. They are confirming that all of the drywall is properly nailed or screwed to the framing. The next step is the mud and taping phase. This may require several days as the drywall mud needs to dry between applications. The last phase is sanding and texture. There are several different finishes and samples will be applied to the walls for customer selection prior the final application.

As the drywall is being completed, the exterior of the building is being lathed or exterior siding is being installed. Lathing the building requires the metal mesh lathing material to be installed along with the exteriors corners which are nailed to the exterior framing of the building. Once complete, a "Lath" inspection is schedule with the city.

Normally the Drywall Nail and Lath are scheduled as .one inspection.

Next comes the "Scratch and Brown" phase where concrete is floated into the stucco lath which creates the exterior stucco shell. After this process, the scratch and brown coat is allowed to cure for up to 25 or so days. The idea is to have the exterior stucco skin fully cure and crack so when the final color coat is applied, the spider cracking will be minimized. Stucco ALWAYS cracks. All precautions are taken, but it is a concrete based product and cracking will occur.

Setting Interior Finish & Cabinets
This is the point where your new home really beings to take shape. Cabinets are installed, countertops are fabricated and installed and all of the finish carpentry is completed. These items would include: door, window and baseboard casing is installed, wine cellar racking is built, closet systems are built and installed and any custom cabinetry or built-in furniture is completed. The walls are painting, followed by installation of all of the finished plumbing, electrical and lighting fixtures.

The home is just about complete. Upon completion of the finishes, we schedule a walk-through to review exterior site work and landscape layout. The landscaping phase involves your driveways, patios, landscape and lawn installation. This is normally completed by a licensed landscaper and we will assist with the coordination and supervision.

Project Wrap-up
All stages of construction have been completed, and you're getting close to taking possession. Precision West Builders team will perform a Quality Control review and inspection, addressing and correcting of any outstanding issues. After final inspections by local officials, you'll receive a formal certificate of occupancy. We'll walk you through your new home for a final inspection and orientation to systems, amenities and warranties, and the keys to your new home are now yours!

Our service isn't complete even though the project is. Precision West Builders remains at your service for additional touch-ups, and follow-up corrections. We'll conduct 30-day and 12-month follow-ups to determine if any additional items need adjustments or fine-tuning, and to verify your complete satisfaction with your new home. Our goal is having a customer for life!

Precision West Builders is a 21st Century General Contractor
Who Still Demands Old Fashioned Craftsmanship.