1
Preliminary Matters
After the Purchase Agreement is signed, but before we begin moving dirt, many things are beginning to happen. We will create a plot plan of your lot showing the location of the home on the property. The building plans will be submitted to the developer or architectural committee for their approval. Other plans will be submitted to the appropriate City or County permit office with our application for a building permit. The banks will require building plans and specifications for a property appraisal prior to closing of our construction loan. Also, at this time we will order windows, doors and brick. Due to the nature of government bureaucracy, it is not unusual for these processes to take three to four weeks.
2
Design Studio
Within three days after the execution of your Purchase Agreement, you should schedule an appointment with our Design Consultant to finalize the selections for your new home. This appointment should take place within two weeks from the signing of the Purchase Agreement. A timely selection process allows us to prepare the necessary purchase orders to start the building process as fast as possible. Please refer to your Design Studio Addendum for complete details. Once all selections have been made, we will schedule a Plan Review with your Construction Manager to review all the details.
3
the foundation
This stage begins with the creation of a level pad site. Pad elevation is very critical in insuring proper water drainage away from the structure. Next, the house lines are staked out on the lot in accordance with the plot plan, and then the footing is dug. Steel bars are installed through the footing. A city inspector will then approve the footing prior to pouring concrete. Once the footing is poured, wood forms will be erected around the perimeter of the structure. These forms determine building size and finished floor elevation, another critical step in insuring proper drainage.
4
rough-in process
After the forms are in place on the footing, plumbers will rough in all water and drain lines. At Shaw Homes, we use only Warsbo PEX water lines which are far superior to copper in freeze protection. The plumbers will run the main water, sewer, and gas lines to the appropriate tie in locations at this time. Upon the plumberÕs completion and city inspection, fill dirt is brought in and installed inside the wood forms and leveled off approximately 4” below the tops of the forms. Any electrical lines that run beneath the slab are installed at this time. Next, post tension cables are installed and the steel bars extending from the footing are bent over into the slab area to tie the full footing and slab together. The footing is cleaned to insure proper placement of concrete and the full structure is treated with a warranted chemical termite protection. Another city inspection is done prior to pouring any concrete, and upon inspection the slab is poured and the forms are removed. Seven to ten days after the slab is poured, the post tension cables are tightened to 28,000 pounds of pressure per square inch and then cut flush with the slab.
5
the exterior
Once the slab is poured, carpenters will begin the framing process. During this stage substantial progress is made very quickly. Walls, headers, beams, floor trusses, and rafters are engineered to ensure proper structural properties throughout the dwelling. Many interior items and changes are left until the final stages of the framing process called “punch out.” Windows, doors, and fireplaces are installed and cabinets ordered at this time. DuPont Tyvek house wrap is installed on the walls to protect your home against moisture penetration. Brick ties are nailed on all surfaces that will receive masonry to insure that these walls are held tightly to the framing. Roofing shingles are applied and the house is “in the dry.”
6
rough-in process
After the roof is on, the plumbers will return to “top out” the home, running additional water and drain lines as well as vent pipes and gas lines. They also install certain tubs and showers at this time. All lines are pressurized to protect against possible leaks later on.
The furnaces are set and the ductwork run throughout the house. Provision is made for return airflow to the furnaces and air handler and also for the condensing units, which will be installed outside later on. Bathroom fans are vented to the exterior at this time.
The electricians will rough in the wiring for the breaker box, switches, receptacles, and lights. Heavy gauge wire will be run for the cooking equipment and air conditioners. Recessed light fixtures are installed at this stage, as are your cable TV and telephone outlets.
All mechanical trades will have their rough-in work inspected and then a frame inspection is done to make sure no boards have been cut or moved that could cause structural weakness. Upon all approvals, insulation is installed in the walls that will be insulated and in certain inaccessible ceilings. All holes in exterior walls are filled with polycell foam to maintain air tightness. Exterior masonry is normally installed about this same time.
7
drywall, trim & painting
Sheetrock drywall is installed on all ceilings and walls then taped, bedded and skimmed. Wall texture is applied where indicated. Hardwood floors are installed next by first laying plastic over the concrete slab then installing 5/8” plywood to the concrete. A layer of 15-pound felt will top the plywood and finally true hardwood floors are installed. Trim carpenters arrive to install the cabinets, doors, molding and mantle. Closets are laid out and installed to maximize their storage capacity. Painters take over and initially stain any necessary wood and then apply oil-based enamel to all other woodwork. Afterwards these surfaces are tightly taped and the walls and ceilings painted. Exterior landscaping, sod installation, guttering and the pouring of concrete driveways, sidewalks, and porches may also begin now.
8
interior finish
Kitchen and bathroom countertops and marble tubs and showers are installed as well as ceramic tile floors and backsplash. Then plumbers will install fixtures and faucets. Next, electricians will install light fixtures, switches, receptacles, and appliances. Finally, garage door openers, security keypads, shower doors, mirrors, and hardware are installed to complete construction, all prior to the installation of carpeting and applying the final coat on the hardwood floors.
9
final detail
After the carpets are installed, a detailed cleaning takes place to make sure your home is in optimal move-in condition. Window screens are installed and final inspections take place. Your pre-closing walk-through also takes place at this time.
10
after closing
Your new home has been constructed with hundreds of products found in nature and others that are man made. Many of these products have moisture inherently in them. These characteristics and the changes of seasons cause expansion and contraction in many materials. Therefore, you should expect to see minor cracking in drywall and masonry surfaces. This is perfectly normal and unavoidable as tons and tons of weight now sits where once was empty ground, and these surface problems are easily corrected with readily available construction compounds and sealants.
You should make special note to file for homestead exemption on your property taxes. This can be done as soon as you receive your recorded deed back from the mortgage company at the county courthouse.