Feature Article - The Building Process

Building a home is part science, part art, and part plain hard work. As one of the last handmade products available to us, each home is unique in the same way that an oil painting by a landscape artist is unique. The artist can stand in the same place and paint the same panorama using identical colors and the same size canvas as for a previous work. Yet in the end, every painting has a personality distinctly its own.

From the moment you decide to build, a natural question is, “When can we move in?” Understandably you are anxious to see dirt moved and walls erected. That move-in date can’t come too soon. However, in the initial stages of the project, the delivery date is a moving target because of factors beyond a builder’s control.

Weather is one obvious factor. Also, before construction can begin, your builder has several important tasks to accomplish that involve outside people and entities, for example-

Most residential construction requires a building permit. The process varies and can take a few minutes to many weeks depending on local practices and workload.
If you make structural changes to the plans, the engineering for the home may need revision. This revision can take from several days to several weeks, and it must be completed prior to applying for a building permit.
If your home will be in a covenant-protected community (one with a homeowner’s association), your house plans may need to be approved by the association’s design committee. These groups generally meet only once a month.

Your builder recognizes that timing is critical to planning your move. Although a guaranteed date is unrealistic in the early stages of construction, the builder can provide regular updates.

As your home nears completion, the builder can provide a firm delivery date (usually 30 to 60 days before the closing). Meanwhile, be flexible and avoid making arrangements that might cause you worry if the move-in date changes.

Construction Schedule
Once the physical work begins, you will find an understanding of construction scheduling basics helpful. The builder creates the construction schedule based on experience and input from the trades. Some portion of the work must occur in sequence and some trades work best alone in the home. Having the electrician and the plumber in the home at the same time prolongs their work because they get in each other’s way.

Depending on how much construction is occurring in the region, trade contractors need varying lengths of lead-time or notice before working on your home. Lead times change constantly. Your builder orders materials so that deliveries occur at the correct time. You can help by completing your selections as early as possible and following your builder’s guidelines for changes.

Your builder is involved with your home on a daily basis. He or she frequently checks the work at the site, updates the schedule, answers questions from the trade contractors, and checks on material deliveries. When the builder asks you to clarify details, you need to respond quickly to prevent delays.

Both your satisfaction with the home and the builder’s reputation rely on this close attention. Technical standards (such as building codes) and specific requirements (such as blueprints, specifications, and change orders) provide detailed criteria for these inspections.

The building department that issues the permit usually also inspects the work as it progresses. Construction on the home cannot continue until it passes the required inspections at various stages of completion.

Site Visits
Some builders schedule meetings with you at several points during construction. You meet at the site, discuss questions, and update the target delivery date. These visits might occur every week or two or upon completion of certain phases of work.

Scheduled meetings may not satisfy your desire to see your home. Your builder may set guidelines for days and times when other visits are welcome. Your safety, satisfaction, and the smooth flow of work are the builder’s prime concerns.

In most contracts with a builder, buyers agree not to interfere with work in progress. If you have a question, get in touch with you builder. Don’t give instructions directly to trade contractors who may only know about one portion of the plan. If you are working with a small firm, you may be told to speak directly with your builder. With large companies, the builder’s salesperson is likely to serve as your liaison.

For any issue you should consider whether it can wait until the next routine conversation with the builder or whether you should contact your builder immediately. For instance, if you order a pink bathtub and see a blue one is delivered, your builder and the plumber will both appreciate your calling attention to the error right away. However, try to resist pointing out items the builder will address in the normal sequence of construction.

If you are in doubt about how urgent your concern is, play it safe and contact the salesperson or builder. Put serious questions or extensive lists in writing and keep a copy. Putting your concerns in writing reduces the possibility that they will be forgotten or miscommunicated. Also keep the following points in mind once you have notified the builder of a concern:

Your concern may involve a detail the builder already has noticed or appreciates your pointing out. Still, correction may not occur immediately.
Work may simply be incomplete; an early stage can look wrong to you but be exactly right when finished.
Methods and materials vary from region to region and change over time. When you are familiar with one method, you naturally question a different one. The doubt does not make the new method wrong. Ask questions until you are comfortable.