Here, in checklist form, are all the steps of building your home. The

Here, in checklist form, are all the steps of building

your home. The asterisk by the numbers mean that

the Building Inspector must check the work at this

stage before construction can continue.

( = Indicates inspection may be required at this time.)

It’s Much Easier With Southland Custom Homes

We specialize in building custom homes for a wide

variety of buyers. We build board-by-board – no pre-

fab or modular construction – and, since 1980, have

built more than 3,000 dream homes! Some

customers have us complete their home 50% to the

Shell stage. Others want us to build the house 100%,

ready for move-in. We do either or any stage in

between.

We have arranged the work steps so they

approximately match the completion state: 50%

(Shell), Steps 1-10; 95% complete, Steps 1-16; and

100% complete, Steps 1-20.

Step 1: Buying Land

1. Frontage on County road

2. Land Survey

3. Title Search

4. Title Insurance

5. Water Table for Well

6. Septic System Soil Test

7. Solar Heat

8. Land easily improved?

Step 2: Before Closing

9. Review Loan Documents

10. Prepare Specifications Sheet

11. Prepare complete Materials/ Labor Cost Estimates

(“Take Offs”)

12. Submit Loan Application

13. Sewer Tap (or Septic System Permit)

14. Building Permit

15. Construction Loan Closing

Step 3: After Closing

16. Building License required?

17. Compliance Bond required?

18. Water Tap & Meter (or contact Well Digger)

19. Order Temporary Services

 Electricity

 Water (if no well)

20. Prepare Site Plan

Step 4: Subcontractors

21. Check References

22. Are they Bonded?

23. Are they Licensed?

24. Guarantee their work?

25. If Guaranteed, How Long?

26. Liability Insurance

27. Workman’s Compensation Insurance

28. Who do Better Builders Use?

29. Get Written Estimates

30. Check Low Bidder’s quality

Step 5: Buying Materials

31. Select 3 reputable Building Supply firms

32. Submit Material Estimates to each

33. Check supply house Bid against original estimates

and correct difference

34. Select Building Supply firm with best combination

of Service, Terms and Price

Step 6: Site & Foundation

35. Review Step 3, then do Rough Grading

36. Cut Driveway

37. Put 4”-6” Gravel on Driveway

38. Get Water Meter (or Dig Well)

39. Clear Home Site, plus 10’ – 15’ Work Area

40. Install Temporary Power Pole

41. Crawl Space or Basement

 Batter Boards

 Dig Foundation Footings

 Pour Footings

 Lay Block or Pour Walls

42. Pre-Treat for termites

43. Waterproof/Backfill

44. Slab and Garage

 Form Boards

 Plumbing

 Miscellaneous Pipes

 Gravel

 Polyethylene vapor barrier

 Pre-Wire (landscape)

 Pour Concrete

45. Spot Foundation Survey

46. Gas, Sewer & Miscellaneous Utility lines

Step 7: Framing

47. Buy Building Level

48. Check Foundation Level/ Square

49. Check Level/ Square Again

50. Have Framing Materials Delivered

51. Maintain Materials Supply

52. “Cull” Materials

53. Basement Walls & Beams

54. Subfloor, 1

Floor

55. Set Special Tubs, 1

Floor

56. Walls/ Partitions, 1

Floor

57. Subfloor, 2

Floor

58. Set Special Tub, 2

Floor

59. Walls/ Partitions, 2

Floor

60. Wall Sheathing

61. Check Level, Square & Layout as work progresses

62. Ceiling Joists

63. Rafters & Trusses

64. Roof Sheathing and Felt

65. Framing Inspection

66. Install Doors/Windows

67. Measure Cabinets

Step 8: Exterior Masonry/Miscellaneous Tasks

68. Schedule Delivery of Exterior Windows, Doors,

Siding, Trim

69. Install Doors (if not done in framing)

70. Install Windows (if not done in framing)

71. Install factory built Fireplace

72. Miscellaneous Rough Frame and Deadwood

73. Install Brick/Stone (if any is specified)

Step 9: Roofing

74. Install Roofing as soon as possible

75. Check Horizontal Roof Shingle Lines

76. Align Shingles’ Vertical Splits

77. Four (4) Nails Per Shingle

78. Stagger Metal Flashing

Step 10: Cornice & Siding

79. Check Siding manufacturer’s Nailing Instructions

80. Check Siding as it’s installed

81. Check installation of Flashing

82. Install Garage Doors

83. Exterior Pain/ Stain

84. Clean Up

Step 11: Plumbing Rough

85. Specify Plastic or Copper Pipe

86. Rough-In for Bath, Kitchen, etc.

87. Pay only after work is inspected

Step 12: Heating & Cooling Rough

88. Take Floorplan to Power Company for size of

system

89. Smaller system is usually more efficient

90. For bigger house, consider using multiple systems

91. Rough-In Heating/ Cooling

92. Get Rough-In approved by Building Inspector

before making payment

Step 13: Electrical Rough

93. Make sketch of furniture in each room, showing

outlets & switches.

94. Get approved for proposed (Wiring Plan)

95. Get Power Company to recommend how much

Amp Service is needed

96. Rough-In Wiring

97. Pay for Rough-In only after inspection

Step 14: Insulation

98. Get Power Company to determine amount of R

Value & Insulation needed

99. With blow-in Insulation, do not block soffit vents

Step 15: Ceiling & Wall Covering

100. If you install Drywall yourself, let contractor give

it a smooth finish

101. ½” Drywall is recommended for 16” on-center

studs

102. Stipple Ceilings before painting walls

103. Clean the Interior

Step 16: Trim & Cabinets

104. Hire a Master Carpenter

105. Select either Stain or Paint Grade Trim

106. Allow ½” space under baseboard for Carpet

107. Install Interior Doors & Kitchen/ Bath, Cabinets

108. Recommend caulking around window & door

trim, inside & out

109. Finish the Fireplace

Step 17: Interior Paint & Wallpaper

110. Paint Interior walls & trim

111. Over Drywall, use one coat of primer & two

finish coats.

112. Put up wallpaper

Step 18: Final Finish & Trim

113. Call back Plumbing, Electrical, & Heating/

Cooling Contractors for Final Work

114. After final inspection, utilities can be turned on

(Power may be required prior to final inspection)

115. Install Tile, Hardwood, Carpet & Vinyl

116. Install Mirrors & Bath Accessories

117. Install Gutters and Screens

118. Landscaping, Drives, Walks, Patio, etc.

119. Final Inspection

Step 19: Final Clean Up

120. Fix little nicks, touch up paint, clean windows,

floors, etc.

121. Install Appliances

Step 20: Move-In

122. Move in & enjoy your new home!