Hi. I've been searching the internet and the few magazines I have for a check-list for a new home we are about to embark on building.
We are hiring an architect and will start to piece everything together in the coming months.
But it would help if such a detailed/complete/comprehensive check-list existed.
Does anyone know where we can get 1?

1. Plans and permits
2. Site prep
3. Excavation - footers, underground utilities (septic, water, etc)
4. Footers and foundation
5. Masonry
6. Floor framing
7. Wall Framing
8. Roof Framing
9. Roofing & flashing
10. Exterior trim
11. Decks & porches
12. Siding
13. Exterior doors and trim
14. Windows and trim
15. Plumbing
16. Heating and cooling
17. Electrical
18. Insulation
19. Interior walls
20. Ceilings
21. Interior doors and trim
22. Kitchen cabinets
23. Bath cabinets and fixtures
24. Floor coverings
25. Painting interior
26. Painting exterior
27. Clean up

That's the highlights. If you are using a builder (or if you are the builder) he should know this.

Thanks - I was looking not so much for the highlights... but more an exhaustive list of things we will need to buy. Anything from doorhandles through to plug sockets.

OK, this will likely sound a little harsh, but it is the factual reality of building a house:

If you are acting as the contractor for your house then you have the ability to look at the above list and make a detailed materials list for any and all categories listed. If you cannot then you are not suited to be the contractor - you would be best off all around if you hired a contractor to run this project.

The contractors job is to organize and run the entire build. As such, he either needs to know every aspect of the project or needs to know who to call in as a sub to run those parts. I know that many DIYers who are planning on building a house would love to act as their own contractor and save the ~20% that a contractor would cost them. Unfortunately, if the homeowner does not have the basic contracting skills needed it will wind up costing much more than whatever they could save.

The contractor is in charge of the whole picture - the decisions that must be made by the contractor are based on knowledge and experience. It's not the type of job that you can do by an internet search.

If I am reading you original post correctly then you are in the early stages of building your house. If I am understanding your questions correctly then your next step should be to hire a contractor to answer all these questions and run the project.

the wife's ex was a contractor, and he botched considerable sections of his own very large scale house. insulation. sheathing. window installation. HVAC. and that was a pro.

there is no "Heathkit house," where you get manuals, pictorial diagrams, "nail stud G117 to header and footer using the spacer boards, using three toenails for top and bottom," and put a check in the box before going to the next step.

if you have to ask how, this is where you need to swallow your pride, accept your limitations, and start interviewing contractors. I just had my car towed for a transmission replacement, I know for sure I can't handle all the steps physically and logistically, even though I know 'em.

the wise man wrestles at his own weight or less.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: swschrad,

IN 99% of the cases it will also take far longer to act as your own contractor.
Your not going to have reguler subs that you know are going to show up, your not even going to know who to call and when to call them.
Scheduling is extreamly important.
Once one of the subs are finished would you even know how to check there work?

quote:

Originally posted by swschrad:
the wife's ex was a contractor, and he botched considerable sections of his own very large scale house. insulation. sheathing. window installation. HVAC. and that was a pro.

there is no "Heathkit house," where you get manuals, pictorial diagrams, "nail stud G117 to header and footer using the spacer boards, using three toenails for top and bottom," and put a check in the box before going to the next step.

if you have to ask how, this is where you need to swallow your pride, accept your limitations, and start interviewing contractors. I just had my car towed for a transmission replacement, I know for sure I can't handle all the steps physically and logistically, even though I know 'em.

the wise man wrestles at his own weight or less.

Sears & Roebuck no longer in the mail order house business? Many a Sears house in this area...

from what I understand of the Sears kit houses, the materials were marked with a code, and you got a blueprint and a raft of steps for each major subassembly. not like a Heathkit electronic kit, where they basically had pictorials, check marks, and everything.

just about every lumber yard (notice I didn't say home center) can hand you plans, load the materials, and dump 'em off for a fee that will have Every Thing You Need to scratch-build a house.

except skills, tools, permits, inspections, time, and incidentals, hospitilization insurance, failure insurance, performance bonds as required by various communities, licensing, a truck, your new tattoo, and steel-toed boots for when OSHAman comes around.

which is the stuff a general contractor brings to the table. well, maybe not YOUR new tattoo....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: swschrad,

I got all that.....no tattoo - not going to happen.

you could do the customer with a guideline bit on a router...

but that reminds me, I forgot "common sense" on the list.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: swschrad,

The most detailed list I've run across has 110 steps (buildinghomes.com)
In between doing all the work yourself (hands on construction) and hiring a contractor to do everything (turn key),
you may also consider....
1. Contracting your own home (supervising, scheduling, overseeing the work)_*u need experience with this*
2. Construction management (working with a contractor as a consultant or advisor)This may save you only 5 to 10 percent over turn key.
Plus you will have to get builder's risk insurance.

If you are paying for construction/material cost "out of pocket" you have more options.
Banks will not lend to you if you are doing the work yourself......at least I've never heard of a construction loan being approved for a DIY house. Even if you do get it approved, you will not see a dime utill you have paid out of pocket for impact fees, permits,excavation, footers and foundation walls. There is a lot of up front cash you will need.
Good luck.

Good luck

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: carvenedrick,

quote:

Originally posted by Jaybee:
1. Plans and permits
2. Site prep
3. Excavation - footers, underground utilities (septic, water, etc)
4. Footers and foundation
5. Masonry
6. Floor framing
7. Wall Framing
8. Roof Framing
9. Roofing & flashing
10. Exterior trim
11. Decks & porches
12. Siding
13. Exterior doors and trim
14. Windows and trim
15. Plumbing
16. Heating and cooling
17. Electrical
18. Insulation
19. Interior walls
20. Ceilings
21. Interior doors and trim
22. Kitchen cabinets
23. Bath cabinets and fixtures
24. Floor coverings
25. Painting interior
26. Painting exterior
27. Clean up

That's the highlights. If you are using a builder (or if you are the builder) he should know this.

He is right any one who wants to buy new house should write there down.

There are so many things to take care of!! My husband and I are building our dream home on our own.....it has been quite an adventure. We have spent the last year getting all of our bids together....while my hubby, our 2 kids and myself have been living with my parents. The internet has been a great resource. Good luck. Here is my blog that details some of our ups and downs. We hope to break ground in 4 weeks!
http://ourdreamhousediy.blogspot.com/

Yup, Internet is the great source of information, even if you check the entire home building message board you will come to know about many things here.

inbetween numbers 23 and 24 and inbetween 8 and 9
add a thru z
for sub contractors
plumbing,electrical,
hvac,cable,phone,sound systems,mirriors , etc
move 25/6 to after sidding. prep paint and caulking
paint facia and siding
move the floor guy to the last guy in the house before final clean up
those painters will track paint on the carpet
good list paulsmith

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Frodo,