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Milestones During the Custom Build Process

July 28, 2019

The New Home Journey

No matter how big or small your custom home is or how many options and upgrades there are, the building process is the same. Here is a brief description of the stages of new home construction:

PERMITS – Before any construction can begin, whether you’re in Hancock County, Harrison County or Jackson County, the city or county government has to approve the design and issue permits.

SITE PREPARATION – Clear trees, rocks, and debris. At this point, the ground is leveled and the site pad is prepared. This is an extremely important step to ensure the integrity of your new home. The building does not go any further until the site passes a soil compaction test.

PLUMBING ROUGH-INS – Forms are placed, and plumbing drains and pipes are installed. Our new home builder will be on-site performing inspections throughout.

FOUNDATION POURED – On the coast, most new construction homes are built on a slab or chain wall. There is a curing period for this to set up, and no work will be done during this time.

FRAMING – The shell goes up next, (walls and roof). Windows and doors are installed, and a house wrap is added to stop water from seeping into your home.

ROOFING INSTALLED – Once the framing is complete, your roof is installed. Brick, stone, stucco, or siding are installed on the exterior as well.

PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, AND HVAC INSTALLED – Contractors will begin installing ductwork for your heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Plumbers and electricians start placing pipes and wires into your interior walls, including receptacles and outlets.

INSULATION – Homes typically have insulation in all exterior walls and in the attic.

DRYWALL – Once the electric and plumbing are installed behind the walls, drywall goes up.

INTERIOR TRIM – The next step is to install trim such as baseboards, moldings, doors, and door casings. Cabinets and vanities will also be installed.

FLOORS, COUNTERTOPS, AND EXTERIOR WORK NEARLY COMPLETE – Your hardwood, laminate and tile flooring go in next as well as countertops and other tile work. If you’re having carpet installed, that will be done later. Outside, your yard will be prepared for drainage and landscaping.

MECHANICAL WORK COMPLETED; FIXTURES INSTALLED – Light fixtures, outlets, switch plates, and HVAC are installed, along with sinks, faucets, and toilets.

FINAL TOUCHES – The last step is installing carpet and shower doors if applicable. Next is a thorough clean-up of any construction debris. Landscaping will also be prepped and planted.

BUILDING TIMELINE – A production home typically takes from three to five months. Depending on the size and detail, new custom homes with Acadian Homes can take up to 5 months or more. The length of time depends on multiple factors, including the availability of labor and materials, site preparation, and of course, the weather.

INSPECTIONS & VISITS – Several inspections of your home will be conducted at various stages of construction by city or county inspectors.

• • • Inspection 1: After the foundation has cured, an inspection is done to make sure the work meets local building codes before additional work can be done.
    • Inspection 2: Once the framing is in place, another inspection is done before the drywall goes up to make sure that everything inside your walls has been built to code.
    • Inspections 3 and 4: In some cities/counties, inspections are done on your plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems during the same period.
    • Inspection 5: Before you can move into your home, the builder will obtain a Certificate of Occupancy based on the final inspection by your city or county governing authority.

MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT – You must stay in touch with your mortgage lender at this point. Even though you’ve been pre-approved for financing, your lender will need to do a final credit check and re-verify your employment.

IMPORTANT: Don’t take on new debt and consult with your lender before making any big decisions or financial changes. Don’t get a new car or apply for additional credit before your house is built because this could lower your credit score or increase your debt-to-income ratio beyond the allowable amount.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR FINAL WALK-THROUGH – Your final walk-through/home orientation is one of the most exciting days of your new home journey. At this time we will go through the home and explain the mechanical features and explain the builder’s warranty. We will schedule this a few days before your closing.

Any real estate investment is a decision that is rarely ever taken lightly. We would like to thank you for choosing Acadian Homes as your custom home builder on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Categorized in: Home Building Info, Tools & Tips

This post was written by Acadian Homes