The excitement of building a new home can easily lead to headaches and frustration without the right process. Companies like GL Homes are focused on making the building process as simple as possible for every buyer, whether it’s their first home or a forever home.
While the home buying process may vary, most companies follow standard procedures. Building a new home involves many more decisions than buying an existing home. Following a fairly standardized process makes decision making more manageable.
Foundation Preparation and Pouring
There are many specific things that go into building a new home that only a quality company knows about. This can address any zoning issues, apply for and obtain permits, and check for potential electrical or plumbing related obstructions. The first step to building a house actually begins as soon as everything is in order.
Builders like GL Homes start by laying down wooden forms to form a foundation template. After that, digging a hole in the trench is the next step. Once the footings are in, the foundation walls are formed and poured.
Based in Florida, GL Homes knows how to create the perfect foundation built to last. After everything is poured, there is a waiting period for it to cure.
The final step with the initial setup is waterproofing and plumbing. Doing this first before doing the rest of the house makes life easier for everyone. A solid foundation really makes or breaks a house.
Framing
The floor, wall, and roof systems, usually called the shell or frame of the house, must be completed after the foundation is ready. Depending on the weather, it usually takes a month or two to complete.
If the weather is bad, it will be more difficult to prepare the frame of the house in the allotted time. Many home builders focus on a certain time of year when reaching this stage. Because GL Homes is only built in Florida, weather delays are typically less than in other areas of the US
It’s important during the framing process to have a little bit of protection around the house. Many companies use house wrapping to protect the house during this stage of the building. Even if the weather is perfect, it’s still important to have the right protection.
Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC
This important part of the house is the next step in the process of building a house. That means installing pipes, gutters, water supply, and shower units. Electrical wiring is complex, and the ductwork and ventilation pipes that feed into the HVAC system complete a vital part of the home.
One of the final steps before installing a roof on your home is installing an HVAC system. Pipes enter through the roof, and insulation goes to floors, walls, and ceilings. Installing a roof is an important milestone during the building process as it makes the house “dry” and more protected.
The electrician will follow up with the correct installation and running cables, so that the home becomes fully connected. HVAC and plumbing are handled before electrical wiring because it’s easier to surround pipes and ducts with cables.
Isolation
To keep the indoor climate consistent, there needs to be quality insulation. GL Homes will always choose the best thermal performance from its insulation. The default setting is insulation on all exterior walls and areas connected to other rooms.
The main choices for insulation include fiberglass, foam, and cellulose. Mineral wool can also be used, as well as concrete blocks. Heavy duty insulation will perform better than something that is installed without much maintenance.
Drywall and Interior Fixtures
Drywall is easy to hang and secure on any interior wall. GL Homes is very careful to ensure that seams are never exposed and there is a consistent finish to ensure quality work. Once installed, coats of primer and any finishes will continue.
As well as the home’s interior, exterior siding is compacted and installed, whether brick, stucco, stone, or traditional siding. It is up to the buyer and home maker to decide on the best look during the design process.
Trimming and Small Touches
[Alt text: A picture of the exterior of a GL Homes home.]
Many fall into this category; neat and small touches are very important as they make a lot of difference in the look of the home. It can be divided into three different parts. Homeowners should first consider adding trim to the doors and windows. Adding all the little things to the exterior makes the house look ready to move in.
Decorative trim can be expensive, but perhaps the highest expense is prepping the kitchen. Depending on the material used, cabinets can be quite expensive, plus they can take a lot of labor to install.
Flooring and countertops come next. Waiting until the end will protect the floor from damage during construction. If the floor is open, the countertop can be installed immediately after choosing the floor.
Equipment and End Supplies
One of the final steps in the home building process is bringing in all the necessary tools and equipment to live in the house safely. That means installing light fixtures and placing the toilet and sink in place.
When you’re done, some small details can be last on the list. As important as this is, a house doesn’t always need mirrors or other minor details installed before a homeowner moves in. However, it complements the home and gets it ready to move in rather than having to tackle the small details after the fact.
Final Guide
After completing all the steps above, GL Homes will do a final walkthrough to show people how it all works. This is important to note as it helps with the upkeep and maintenance of the property as a whole. If something does go wrong, a final trace ensures that it was taken care of before the owner moved. Damage is much easier to deal with if found during the walkthrough.
How Companies Like GL Homes Simplify The Process
The average person may need to learn more about the home building process. This may seem overwhelming at first, but that’s where a quality company like GL Homes comes in to help.
The team at GL Homes have built so many homes over the years that they know when to involve people in building a home and when to take care of everything themselves. While every customer can be directly involved if they so choose, there is a lot of work behind the scenes that is not the most glamorous of things.
Home building doesn’t have to be challenging as long as you find a builder who is committed to quality work and good communication. GL Homes is proud of its extensive history of turning dreams into reality.
