If You Build It: 9 Steps to Building Your Own Home 

In 2019, over one million housing units were started in the U.S.

Homeowners choose to build so they have full control over its layout, ensure it’s energy-efficient, and in their dream location. Perhaps you’re planning to build your home but you’re not sure where to start.

Sound familiar? If yes, you’ve come to the right place. Here are nine steps to building your own home.

1. Plan Your Home

If you’re wondering “is it cheaper to build your own home?”, know it’s often expensive because you may face unexpected costs that you wouldn’t with a ready-to-buy home. But it’s possible to work out the cost to build your home by figuring out your needs.

For instance, ask yourself whether you’ll be raising a family in the home, if you want a yard, and whether you need certain material to suit the climate. In this stage, you must also work out the floor plan, for instance open-plan, split-level, or one level. You should also figure out how many rooms to have, where to place the kitchen, and how many bathrooms you need. 

Once you have a final plan, then you can start building your own home.

2. Prepare the Home Site 

First, prepare the home site by clearing away debris and hire a surveyor to stake out the lot so you know the property’s boundaries.

Consider the topography to see whether you need to adjust the water flow so it goes away from your home. Further, you’ll need to hire an electrician so you get temporary electricity, and source necessary materials for your home like choice steel. And don’t forget to hire a roll-off dumpster to keep the site clean.  

Note that you must have an inspector to regularly check-in on the progress. The first visit is to check your home’s foundation is up to code then they’ll evaluate the property’s framing, plumbing, and electrical system. 

Lastly, the inspector will check that your home coincides with the building-code and give you the go-ahead in the final stage of the building process.

3. Create the Foundation 

Not sure how to build your own home? Start by creating its foundation to begin the process. You’ll need excavation contractors and foundation specialists as they have the expertise and equipment to do this job properly. Because a home’s foundation is the most important part, you must use premium building materials that have a five-year “no leak” warranty in case a problem arises.

4. Frame, Side, and Roof the Property

When you build your own home, you must have reliable framing so it begins to look like a house. During this process, you or carpenters will install plywood sheathing to the exterior walls and roof. You must cover the sheathing with a house wrap as it stops liquid from entering the property and causing wood rot.  

Note that this is a quick process, often taking two weeks, so you’ll have a shell of your home. Once the property is sheathed, you can install the doors and windows.

5. Complete Plumbing 

It’s important to note that if you have a slab-type foundation then plumbers and electricians will install the systems before pouring the concrete into the foundation. If not, these professionals will lay downpipes, roughly install an electrical circuit, and figure out the HVAC system ductwork.

You must also decide if you want a chimney because masons will build it for you. This is where brick or stone is placed over a concrete block that’s part of the foundation.

6. Install Insulation 

Regardless of the climate, insulation makes your home more comfortable as it creates a consistent indoor climate while making your property energy efficient. Most homes are insulated in the exterior walls, the attic, and the basement where you can choose between fiberglass, foam, or cellulose insulation. 

Most modern homes have blown-in insulation (the fiberglass option) but a popular choice is a liquid form that can be injected, sprayed, or poured.

7. Finish Drywall and Interior Trim 

Next, you’ll hang drywall so that the seams between the board aren’t visible and you apply a primer coat of paint. This is where you must also paint interior doors, baseboards, and other decorative trim along with cabinets in your bathroom and kitchen. You must also give the walls a final lick of paint and work on your home’s exterior.

Many contractors suggest installing your home’s exterior driver or walkway during this process so it’s easier to visit the construction site.

8. Install Flooring

Choose the type of floors whether it’s hardwood, laminate, ceramic, or engineered wood. Once decided, you can install them throughout the house. Though, depending on your skill level, it may be wise to hire a subcontractor as they have the proper tools for the process.

9. Complete the Finishing Touches 

You’re almost there!

Complete the finishing touches by landscaping your outdoor space, remove the dumpster, and schedule a final walk-through if you’ve hired a general contractor. Finally, the inspector will give you a certificate of occupancy to prove that your property is legal and ready to move in.

Note that if the inspector found any problems, then they’ll schedule a follow-up inspection to check that any mistakes have been corrected.

These Are the Steps to Building Your Own Home

Hopefully, you now have a clear understanding of the steps to building your own home. 

It’s wise to hire professionals to help you plan, lay down the foundation, framework, and installing electrical or plumbing. Make sure contractors have general liability insurance to protect you if a problem arises and invite an inspector to check-in regularly so your building process is on track. Good luck!

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