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What are Home Builders?

A home builder is just that . . . someone, or some company that builds homes.  The larger builders, such as DR Horton, Chaffey Homes, and CP Morgan deliver thousands of keys to new homes each year.  For example, DR Horton, the largest Home Builders in the country, can hammer out more than 50,000 single-family homes in a single year.  Chaffey, a Northwest builder, has erected more than 14,000 new homes in Washington state alone.  And, CP Morgan, an Indianapolis, Indiana Home Builders has put up more then 20,000 since the early 1980s.

The company sizes and marketing budgets of these top Home Builders allow them to reach a broad audience of home buyers throughout the United States (and other locations).  And while each of the three build fine homes backed by extensive warranties, there are plenty of smaller builders to investigate.  Builders in your neighborhood . . . Home Builders that know the local and regional markets . . .  Home Builders that understand their individual communities better than others . . . you know, builders warranting your attention.

Regardless of the one you select to build your next home - there are about 20,000 Home Builders in the United States - you simply want a builder that knows the trade . . . and knows it well.  So, to help you better understand what it is a Home Builders actually does, read on . . .

A Home Builders typically consists of a team of people (construction team) led by a construction manager.  They that take your plans, needs, and desires and then craft your dream home to perfection.  From pre-construction to landscaping, there are literally hundreds of items on the Home Builders checklist. 

Let me outline the basic 11 elements Home Builders use:

1.  Pre-Construction.  Involves choosing the location, home design, selecting materials (finishes, flooring, cabinets, etc.), and choosing a Home Builders.  Getting permits in order.

2.  Site Work - Preparing the ground, drilling the well, clearing trees.  Grading and digging ditches for the foundation.  The foundation is essentially what your home is built upon and almost always consists of poured concrete.  Another method for foundations involve precast concrete panels.

3.  Foundation - The primary starting point for your actual home.  Will it be a concrete slab, full basement, footers of wood, etc.?

4.  Framing - The "2x4" or "2x6" studs that structure the walls of your home.  Provides an excellent idea of the size and location of rooms.  Involves raising the roof, installing stairs, and laying the subflooring.  Usually, when the roof framing has been installed, shingles or some other roof covering is immediately faceted.  This is when your home is "in the dry", as contractors like to say.  This part of the framing is often considered Exterior work (more below).

5.  Rough-in - You gotta have water, right?  The rough-in stage involves running plumbing pipes, electrical wiring and recepticle boxes (plugs), heating and AC units, cable and telephone lines, among other things.

6.  Insulation - Next comes Billy with a insulation machine!  Most modern insulation is blown in via a cellulose insulation blower.  But, some still use rolled insulation.  The R-value of the insulation is based on your location.  Insulating with Energy Star is a common method employed by many Home Builders.  This involves sealing leaks, adding insulation, and installing Energy Star windows.

7.  Interior - Adding the sheetrock or other walling, installing cabinets, refrigerator, stove, sink, flooring, molding, doors, windows, shower and bath tubs, paint, and more.  Choosing environmentally responsible materials is the new trend.

8.  Exterior - Painting, vinyl siding, brick, stucco, or other exterior.  Can also be done after the framing stage, or at the same time of the Rough-in.

9.  Landscaping - Laying down grass, sod, pavers, patios.  Installing the pool or hot tub.  Planting trees, spreading mulch.  Building water features.

10.  Completion - Pretty much a walk-through and repair session.  Fixing anything that may have been broken during construction or completing unseen or newly discovered items.  Usually a checklist is used.

11.  Warranty - Usually good for a year and outlines all things your Home Builders is responsible for completing.

And, remember, there are a number of inspections that must be passed before going on the subsequent steps.  This sometimes can cause delays.