Home Building Checklist for New Construction | Process, Tips

Are you having trouble figuring out everything you need to do when building your new house? It probably seems overwhelming, but don’t worry—many people have been in your shoes! That’s why we’ve composed a Home-Building Checklist. Discover the essential steps to building your new home with our comprehensive checklist, which guides you from foundation to finish and ensures every detail.

How to Build a House – Checklist

When creating a checklist, not everyone may have the same priorities. Understanding what’s critical in your building process is essential. Let’s learn how to make a personal and suitable checklist for your new home! 

Choose Land

Finding the perfect piece of land for your dream home is an exciting part of the building process. Everyone has a unique preference for the property they’d prefer. However, it’s recommended that you find a piece of land that already has or is near utility hookups. This will save you a lot of money and time!

Choose a House Plan 

You can’t build a house with no floor plan! Choosing a house plan is the most important and arguably tricky part of building a home. There are so many great options; how can you pick one? Luckily, there are many resources to assist you in finding the perfect house plan that fits all of your needs. Knowing your ideal floorplan, how many bedrooms you’ll need, and what house style you prefer is important. Explore our blogs and learn more about the best possible plans for you HERE! 

The possibilities are endless, especially with America’s Best House Plans. If you find a house plan that doesn’t meet every detail of your family’s, take note that every house plan in our collection can be modified through our Modification Services. Find more information about how the customization process works, HERE.

Have a Cost Breakdown 

The cost of building a home is one of the more complex parts that needs to be broken down. It’ll only benefit you to track how much everything costs, from materials to construction and land. Be prepared for any hiccups along the way. Consider obtaining multiple quotes from different builders and contractors before making a decision. 

Find a Builder or Contractor

Hiring a builder or contractor early in the project will give you essential insight and preparation. It will also help you better understand the project process and give you an idea of the cost! 

What do you need before building a house?

Before building the house, there are several key steps you will want to complete first. Here’s a brief checklist to consider before building your house: 

• Determine the project budget (including land acquisition, design, construction, and additional costs)
• Try purchasing a Cost to Build Report for an accurate estimated amount for your area
• If necessary, get approval for pre-mortgage and construction loans
• Select and purchase a land plot
• Obtain necessary approvals and permits for local building codes
• Conduct a site analysis for any potential problems during building
• Find a Builder or Contractor
• Create a construction contract
• Choose materials

How long does it take to build a house from start to finish?

Every project is unique in the time it takes to build the house from start to finish. 

Several factors affect the length of your building process, including the size of the projects, the materials chosen, weather conditions, and the construction team. A typical build can take several months to a year. However, delays can happen due to unforeseen circumstances, so having contingency plans is best.

Essential home building checklist: 

Here’s a checklist of essential things you aren’t going to want to miss and some of the first things you should be doing when building:

• Ensure that essential utility connections, such as water, electricity, gas, sewer, or septic systems can be extended to the building site
• Seek out the materials you want to purchase. If you want to stay low budget, seek out substitutes for each item and see if other companies will price match!

Begin the construction process, starting with the site preparation and foundation work. Monitor the build regularly and address any issues along the way. The building process will usually evolve in this order: 

• Site Preparation
• Foundation Construction
• Framing
• Roofing
• Exterior Finishes
• Rough Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC
• Insulation
• Drywall Installation
• Interior Finishes
• Finalizing Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC
• Schedule final inspections with local building authorities to ensure compliance with building codes
• Plan and/or execute any landscape work like driveways, walkways, and outdoor features 
• Complete final touches or adjustments
• Secure the necessary approvals and permits to allow occupancy of the completed home
• Move in and enjoy the beauty of your new home! 

If you’re still overwhelmed by the building process, know you aren’t alone! Learn how other families went through their building process by reading our very own clients – The Jones Building Journey, here!