7 Stages of New Home Construction

Next to getting married and having a baby, building a home is one of the most exciting times in anyone’s life. But new home construction can also be a time of uncertainty, stress, and second-guessing your choices, so it’s best to be prepared. Knowing what comes next in the home-building process and the decisions you’ll need to make at each stage can help you feel more at ease and prevent surprises.

Whether you’re in the early stages of building a house or ready to break ground, this guide can help you understand what’s next and keep the journey running smoothly until moving day.

The main stages of construction include:

1. Site Preparation, Permits, and Foundation Work
2. Framing the Structure
3. Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC
4. Insulation and Drywall
5. Interior Finishes
6. Exterior Finishes and Landscaping
7. Final Inspections and Walkthrough

Each stage plays a critical role in turning your ideas into a move-in-ready home. “Our process for building a custom home is different from other builders,” says Matt Eastman, Vice President of Highmark Builders. “We’re a design/build firm, which means we don’t just build a home. We integrate new home construction with interior design from our partners at Ruby+Suede to ensure we exceed your expectations. Plus, we employ our own trades, which give you more control over the timeline and the finished product.”

Prior to any new home construction project, the builder must secure building permits, which can vary by location, zoning, building codes, and environmental impact issues. Once the permits are in hand, the builder can then prepare the home site by clearing debris including rocks, trees, and any existing structures on the land.

When the lot is cleared and ready, the footprint of your home is staked in preparation for grading. “From house placement to site planning, how the house comes out of the ground is extremely critical,” says Matt. Grading is completed in order to pour the concrete for the foundational structure. The concrete must cure for a week before inspection to ensure the foundation meets code and structural requirements.

Once the foundation has cured, framing can begin. “For our clients, this is a very exciting phase,” says Matt. “They can see measurable progress each day as the home starts to take shape.”  Flooring systems are installed, walls are erected, windows and doors are framed, and roofing trusses are placed, creating the skeleton of the home. As the homeowner, you’ll have the opportunity to walk through this roughed-in stage and see room sizes firsthand.

When the framing stage is complete, another inspection is conducted to ensure the home is built appropriately and according to specifications.

Prior to the initiation of this stage, you’ll want to discuss with your builder the placement of outlets, light fixtures, and HVAC registers. Once this stage is complete, it’s more difficult (and often more costly) to move an outlet or change the location of a light fixture.

With your plan in hand, the team will install pipes, electrical wiring, and air ducts and vents. “Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, or MEP, is the heartbeat of your home,” says Matt. “At Highmark Builders, we take great pride in our MEP designs and systems to ensure your home exceeds your comfort expectations.”

Once the MEP stage is completed, your home will go through a series of inspections, and each system must pass to ensure your home is both functional and safe before moving on to the next stage.

Prior to the initiation of this stage, you’ll want to discuss with your builder the placement of outlets, light fixtures, and HVAC registers. Once this stage is complete, it’s more difficult (and often more costly) to move an outlet or change the location of a light fixture.

Insulation is added to protect you and your home from the elements. “With our climate here in Minnesota, it’s important to add the right insulation to deliver the comfort you expect,” says Matt. “We offer a variety of options that exceed building codes and can elevate the performance of your home.”

After insulation, drywall is installed and finished to a smooth surface. At this point, rooms begin to take shape, and homeowners can easily visualize where appliances, cabinetry, and light fixtures will be placed during the next stage.

Now the fun starts! Remember when you first started the design of your new home by working with an interior designer? Now all those pieces come together. Our team of craftsmen, designers and construction professionals take extraordinary care during this phase to deliver an exceptional product. You’ll see your personal style come to life when flooring, cabinetry, countertops, backsplashes, and light fixtures are put in place. “We often say that the installation of tile and cabinetry marks one of the most exciting phases of the new home construction process—it signals that the project is nearing completion,” says Matt.

While stage five happens inside, this stage happens outside. Siding, roofing, driveway, patio, and even landscaping are all installed. Your job supervisor and project manager oversee the teams installing the beautiful finishing touches you’ve selected for your home’s exterior. Everyone plays their part to make sure your home looks amazing from the outside in—because curb appeal is just as exciting as what’s happening inside.

Start packing—your new home is nearly complete. But before you can move in, your home must go through one final inspection to verify that all building code requirements are met. Upon passing, a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

“The end of new home construction is just the beginning of your journey in a Highmark home,” says Matt. “Once final inspections are complete, we walk through the finished home with you to showcase our high standards, explain our warranty, and create a punch list of any minor issues that need more attention.” The keys are placed in your hand, and it’s time to call this house your home.

We can help. Highmark Builders is a preferred luxury home builder in Minnesota. Contact our team today for a consultation, and let’s start building your dream home, one stage at a time.

For more inspiration, check out our design gallery.