If you're like most people, you probably don't know much about the construction process. Maybe you've seen a few homes under construction and wondered what happens during the various stages, or maybe you're just curious about the topic in general.
In any case, if you want to learn more, read below for a basic overview of the two most important preliminary stages of a residential construction project. This way, you'll have a better idea of what to expect (and when to expect it) during the home-building process.
Design and Planning
The first stage of residential construction is design and planning. This is when the architects and engineers create the plans for the project. The plans will include everything from the layout of the rooms to the type of materials that will be used.
For starters, the architect will need to create a floor plan. This is a drawing that shows the layout of each room in the house. Once the floor plan is complete, the engineer will determine the best way to build the house. They will also create a set of construction drawings that show all the project details.
Once the plans are complete, they'll need to be approved by the local building department. After that, the construction team will create a construction schedule. This schedule will outline the project's timeline and list all the tasks that need to be completed.
The design and planning stage is obviously a very important part of any residential construction project. Without proper planning, the project could end up being delayed or over budget.
Clearing and Grading
This is when the construction team will clear the land where the house will be built. They will also grade the land so that it's level.
To clear the land, the construction team will first need to remove any trees or brush. They will then use heavy machinery to excavate the land and remove any large rocks.
The grading process is just as important as the clearing process. The land needs to be graded, so it slopes away from the house. This will help prevent water from pooling around the foundation and causing problems later on.
After the land is cleared and graded, the construction team will start to build the foundation. The type of foundation that's used will depend on the soil conditions and the size of the house.
The clearing and grading stage is usually one of the quickest stages of residential construction. However, it can sometimes be delayed if there is bad weather or if the land is more difficult to clear than anticipated. Speak to your contractor if you have any concerns about the timeline for this stage.
