Below is a checklist containing all the steps to build your home. An asterisk denotes the Building Inspector will have to check the work before the construction can continue.
We are specialists in custom home building for a wide variety of buyers. Building board-by-board with no modular construction or pre-fab. Some customers have us complete their home up to 50% to the shell stage, Others want a 100% job done so the house is ready to be moved in. We will do either stage or anything in between, the choice is yours! Download the PDF here: Homeowners Checklist For Building A House
Step 1: Buying Land
- ❒ Frontage on County road
- ❒ Survey of Land
- ❒ Title Search
- ❒ Title Insurance
- ❒ Water table (needed for well)
- ❒ Soil test for the septic system
- ❒ Solar Heating
- ❒ Easy to improve the land?
Step 2: Before Closing
- ❒ Loan documents review
- ❒ Prepare specifications sheet
- ❒ Labor cost estimates / prepare complete materials (“Take offs”)
- ❒ Submit Loan Application
- ❒ Septic system permit or sewer tap
- ❒ Building permit
- ❒ Construction loan closing
Step 3: After Closing
- ❒ Building license required?
- ❒ Compliance bond required?
- ❒ Water tap and meter (or contact Well Digger)
- ❒ Other Temporary Services Electricity:
❒ Water: - ❒ Prepare site plan
Step 4: Subcontractors
- ❒ Check references.
- ❒ Are they Bonded?
- ❒ Are they Licensed?
- ❒ Do they guarantee their work?
- ❒ How long is the guarantee?
- ❒ Liability Insurance
- ❒ Insurance for workmen’s compensation
- ❒ Who is used by better builders?
- ❒ Obtain Written Estimates
- ❒ Check quality of low bidder
Step 5: Buying Materials
- ❒ Select 3 building supply firms with a good reputation
- ❒ Give material estimates to each
- ❒ Correct the difference between supply house bid against original estimates
- ❒ Select building supply firm with the best combo of terms, price, and service.
Step 6: Site And Foundation
- ❒ Review the third step and then perform rough grading
- ❒ Cut driveway
- ❒ Lay 4-6 inches of gravel on driveway
- ❒ Dig well or get water meter
- ❒ Clear home site and 10-15 feet work area
- ❒ Install temporary power pole *
- ❒ Crawl space or basement
❒ Batter boards:
❒ Dig foundation footings*:
❒ Pour footings*:
❒ Lay block or pour walls: - ❒ Pre-treat for termites *
- ❒ Backfill/weatherproof
- ❒ Garage and slab
❒ Form boards:
❒ Plumbing*:
❒ Miscellaneous popes:
❒ Gravel:
❒ Polyethylene vapor barrier:
❒ Pre-wire (landscape)*:
❒ Pour concrete: - ❒ Spot foundation survey
- ❒ Sewer, gas and miscellaneous utility lines
Step 7: Framing
- ❒ Buy building level
- ❒ Check foundation square/level
- ❒ Check square/level again
- ❒ Have framing materials delivered
- ❒ Maintain materials supply
- ❒ “Cull” materials
- ❒ Basement beams and walls
- ❒ 1st floor, subfloor
- ❒ 1st floor, partitions/walls
- ❒ 2nd floor, subfloor
- ❒ 2nd floor, set special tub
- ❒ 2nd floor, partitions/walls
- ❒ Wall sheathing
- ❒ Check square, level, and layout as work progresses
- ❒ Ceiling joists
- ❒ Trusses and rafters
- ❒ Roof felt and sheathing
- ❒ Framing inspection
- ❒ Install windows/doors *
- ❒ Measure cabinets
Step 8: Exterior masonry/Miscellaneous tasks
- ❒ Schedule delivery of exterior windows, siding, trim, doors.
- ❒ Install doors (if not done in framing)
- ❒ Install windows (if not done in framing)
- ❒ Installation of factory built fireplace
- ❒ Miscellaneous deadwood and rough frame
- ❒ Install stone/brick (if required or specified)
Step 9: Roofing
- ❒ Install roofing as soon as possible
- ❒ Check shingle lines on a horizontal roof
- ❒ Align shingles on vertical splits
- ❒ Four nails per shingle
- ❒ Stagger metal flashing
Step 10: Cornice and Siding
- ❒ Check siding nailing instructions from manufacturer
- ❒ Check siding as it is installed
- ❒ Check flashing installation
- ❒ Installation of garage doors
- ❒ Exterior Pain/Stain
- ❒ Clean up
Step 11: Plumbing Rough
- ❒ Specify copper or plastic pipe
- ❒ Rough-in for kitchen or bath, etc. *
- ❒ Pay only once the work has been inspected
Step 12: Heating And Cooling Rough
- ❒ Take floorplan to the power company for the size of the system
- ❒ The smaller system is usually more efficient
- ❒ Consider using multiple systems in a bigger house
- ❒ Rough-in cooling/heating *
- ❒ Get tough-in approved by the building inspector before making payment
Step 13: Electrical Rough
- ❒ Sketch furniture in each room showing switches and outlets
- ❒ Get approved for proposed wiring plan
- ❒ Get power company to recommend how much amp service is needed
- ❒ Rough-In witing *
- ❒ Pay for rough-In only once the inspection is complete
Step 14: Insulation
- ❒ Have power company determine the amount of insulation are R Valve needed
- ❒ With blow-in insulation, do not block soffit vents
Step 15: Ceiling And Wall Covering
- ❒ if you install drywall, let the contractor give it a smooth finish
- ❒ Half inch drywall is recommended for 16-inch on-center studs
- ❒ Stipple ceilings before painting walls
- ❒ Clean the interior
Step 16: Trim and Cabinets
- ❒ Hire a master carpenter
- ❒ Select either paint grade or stain trim
- ❒ Allow half inch space under baseboard for carpet
- ❒ Install interior doors and bath/kitchen cabinets
- ❒ Caulking around window and door trim, outside and inside is recommended
- ❒ Finish the fireplace
Step 17: Interior Paint And Wallpaper
- ❒ Paint interior trim and walls
- ❒ Over drywall, use one coat of primer over two finish coats
- ❒ Put up wallpaper
Step 18: Final Finish And Trim
- ❒ Call back electrical, heating, cooling and plumbing for final work *
- ❒ After final inspection, you can turn utilities on (power will be required before the final inspection takes place)
- ❒ Install tile, carpet, vinyl, and hardwood
- ❒ Install bath and mirror accessories
- ❒ Install screens and gutters
- ❒ Landscaping, walks, patio, drives, etc.
- ❒ Final inspection *
Step 19: Final Clean Up
- ❒ Touch up paint, fix little nicks, clean floors, windows, etc.
- ❒ Appliance installation
Step 20: Move-In
- ❒ Move in and enjoy all the comforts of your new home!
Build a Custom Home In Arizona
Contact Hughes Development today to get an estimate for your home building project. Hughes Development builds custom homes in Mesa, Apache Wells, Mountain Whisper and more areas in Arizona.
