Milestones for Building Your Own House
One of the biggest questions I had when building my own house was simply:
“What order do the major steps involved in building a house?”
This is second nature to an experienced builder but if your building your own house for the first time this can be one of the biggest sources of anxiety. The importance of understanding this can not be under estimated. You have to be one step ahead of the process to avoid lulls in your progress, keep your subcontractors on schedule, order your materials on time etc. Below is a list I created that is mostly in chronological order to help you get familiar with the steps. Keep in mind some of the steps can happen at the same time and this list isn’t perfect for your project but will give you a great starting point. Be sure to download the Build Your Own House spreadsheet that I created, it includes this list with more detail including scheduling tips.
| New Construction Project Milestones |
| Start |
| Survey Work |
| Demolition |
| Grading & Erosion Control |
| Drill/Install Well |
| Footings |
| Masonry Walls |
| Foundation |
| Waterproofing |
| Backfill & Re-Grade |
| Under-Slab Rough-Ins |
| Termite Protection |
| Concrete Floor Slabs |
| Framing 1 |
| Framing 2 |
| Framing 3 |
| Windows & Exterior Doors |
| Rough-In Plumbing |
| Exterior Glass Block |
| Box/Trim Eaves |
| Roofing & Flashing |
| Prime Exterior |
| Rough-In HVAC |
| Rough-In Electrical |
| Rough-In Stereo |
| Siding |
| Rough-In Security System |
| Rough-In Intercom |
| Rough-In Gas Lines |
| Rough-In Central Vaccum |
| Stucco |
| Stone Veneer |
| Brick Veneer |
| Backframing |
| Manufactured Fireplace(s) |
| Insulation Rough-in |
| Water & Sewer Lines |
| Hang & Finish Drywall |
| Tile |
| Garage Doors |
| Install Hardwood Floor |
| Decks |
| Exterior Paint & Stain |
| Cabinets |
| Sidewalk(s) |
| Countertops |
| Patio(s) |
| Driveway |
| Interior Doors |
| Interior Trim |
| Gutters & Downspouts |
| Interior Stair(s) |
| Final Grading |
| Interior Glass Block |
| Fireplace Finish |
| Install Fence |
| Interior Paint & Stain |
| Landscaping |
| Finish Central Vac |
| Finish Stereo System |
| Final Security System |
| Install Intercom |
| Final HVAC |
| Install Hot Tub |
| Final Electrical |
| Finish Hardwood Floors |
| Exterior Clean-up |
| Closet Shelving |
| Hardware |
| Gas Amenities |
| Appliances |
| Towel Bars |
| Finish Plumbing |
| Mirror & Tub Enclosures |
| Paint Touch-up |
| Screen Wire & Doors |
| Insulation at Finish |
| Carpet |
| Interior Clean |
| Final Pressure Wasing |
| Punchlist |
| Occupancy Permit |
| Block Party!!!!! |
da best. Keep it going! Thank you
A good step by step guide although I don’t agree if these things have got to be done in order
It’s a great point some things can be done concurrently when building a house or in slightly different sequence. Any feedback on the approach you would take?