The Essential Steps in New Home Construction: From Blueprint to Move-In
Custom new home construction is a massive undertaking for many homeowners. Although it’s an exciting and incredibly rewarding investment in your future, it’s also a multi-month — and sometimes multi-year — project with countless decisions to be made and processes to be checked off.
Luckily, working with the right custom home design company can help streamline the process and make it worry-free. By relying on the experts and knowing the essential steps in new home construction, you can follow along the process while remaining calm and confident that your vision is coming to life. Here are the essential stages you can expect during the process:
Foundation & Framing
Everything starts with a solid foundation. After you’ve finalized your design blueprint and your site has been surveyed, the foundation is poured, setting the stage for your dream home. To lay the foundation, concrete slabs are poured and reinforced with steel rods. Quality and accuracy are crucial at this stage, as a strong foundation ensures your home stays level, stable, and protected from moisture or shifting soil for years to come.
Once the foundation is set and cured, framing begins. This is the skeleton of your home — the wood or steel framework that forms the basic shape and structure of your custom home. Framing includes walls, floors, and roof trusses. This is the step during which you get a sense of your home’s size and layout. At the end of this stage, windows and exterior doors are installed to help finalize the structure and keep it secure for the rest of the work.
HVAC, Plumbing, & Electrical
Once you have the bones of your home in place, it’s time to install its vital systems. This includes HVAC, plumbing, and electrical wiring. Each system is strategically routed throughout the framed structure, with careful planning to ensure that everything meets local code requirements.
The work done at this stage is considered a “rough-in,” because the final details won’t be added until after the drywall and, sometimes, interior finishes are installed. For now, plumbers will install pipes for water supply and drainage, set up main lines for bathrooms and kitchens, and prepare the area where fixtures will go. Electricians will run the wiring for any outlets, lighting fixtures, smoke detectors, and smart home technology. HVAC technicians will install any ductwork, vents, and air returns. Inspectors will then verify that everything meets safety standards before moving to the next stage of your new home construction.
Insulation & Drywall
Next comes the step that brings your custom home together and gets it ready for finishing — insulation and drywall. First, insulation is installed in the walls, addicts, and crawl spaces to ensure year-round comfort and energy efficiency. Then, drywall panels are hung on the interior walls and ceilings, giving every room its final shape. Once everything is secured into place, your house will start to feel like a real home rather than a construction site, and your team can move on to the details.
Interior & Exterior Finishes
The finishes are typically the most rewarding phase of the project for homeowners, as it’s where your luxury custom home really starts to look like the property you’ve always dreamed of. During this phase, your custom home builder will install flooring, cabinets, countertops, paint, trim, interior doors, lighting fixtures, appliances, and more. Exterior finishes are also applied, such as siding, roofing, walkways, driveways, and landscaping.
This finishing phase is when you’ll see the most dramatic changes week-to-week, and it means your custom home is in the home stretch. Once all finishes are installed, all that’s left is a thorough cleaning and a final walkthrough to ensure that everything is in perfect condition and ready for you to move in.
By partnering with a custom home builder you trust and staying involved with each phase of construction, you can feel more confident and make the most of the new home construction process. At AFT Construction, our exceptional team of home builders is committed to transforming your one-of-a-kind vision into a stunning reality, with an emphasis on superior craftsmanship and meticulous detail. Discover the joy of a completely custom building experience, where every element of your home is designed to your exact specifications. No matter what you’re envisioning, we ensure every aspect reflects your desires. To begin your journey toward your bespoke dream home, contact us today to book a personalized new home construction consultation.