Construction Timeline
For those unfamiliar with the architecture and construction fields, the prospect of designing and building a custom home from scratch can feel overwhelming. However, it's the contractor's duty to ensure the project progresses on schedule and within budget, while the architecture team ensures the design concept is faithfully executed. Understanding the typical journey of a new home build can offer valuable reassurance to new homeowners. Below, we outline a step-by-step guide illustrating how architectural plans are transformed into a modern, bespoke home.
The initial phase of constructing a new home involves identifying and marking the precise location of the building on the property. This is followed by clearing the designated area of any obstructions, prioritizing the preservation of natural landscape features. Subsequently, the soil is re-graded to ensure proper drainage, and excavation work commences to prepare the foundation site.
This stage involves the careful identification and redirection of underground utilities, including power lines, water pipes, septic systems, and communication cables. If the property lacks existing utilities, they will be installed and connected to the nearest municipal infrastructure point.
A foundation serves as the structural support and anchor for a home. While it could be as basic as a poured concrete slab, our designs for homes in the Northeast typically incorporate a cellar level, which is created by underground concrete foundation walls.
The framing stage of construction is when the skeleton of the home, typically constructed from wood and/or steel, starts to take shape. During this phase, the walls, floors, and roof begin to emerge, giving a tangible sense of the home's layout and form. This stage marks significant progress and brings anticipation and excitement for both us as architects and our clients.
Once the skeletal structure of the home is in place, the next step involves wrapping it in sheathing and weatherproofing materials. This process seals off all the walls, floors, and roofing, except for areas designated for windows and doors, with impervious surfaces.
HVAC, or Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, encompasses the essential systems for maintaining comfort and air quality in a home. During this phase, the rough installation of ductwork, vents, plumbing, and electrical components takes place. However, the actual equipment necessary to complete these systems will be installed at a later stage.
The placement of exterior windows, doors, and skylights, collectively known as fenestration, marks a significant visual transformation in the construction of a modern home. These elements define the architectural style & also play a role in shaping the character and functionality of the living spaces within.
The installation of electrical components also aligns with HVAC rough-ins, involving the routing of wiring through walls and ceilings to provide power for future outlets, lighting, appliances, and utilities.
Plumbing installation occurs alongside HVAC rough-ins, involving the laying of pipes for water supply and drainage to facilitate connections for kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry areas. Fixtures such as sinks and toilets will be installed at a later stage.
Ensuring proper insulation is crucial for the efficiency of new homes. By preventing conditioned air from escaping through walls, floors, roofs, and utility lines, heating and cooling systems require less energy and cost to operate.
Next in the process is the installation of wiring for low voltage systems such as fire safety, security, internet, audio/video, and other technological components. Planning these aspects in advance allows for seamless integration before closing up interior walls.
Drywall, also known as sheetrock or gypsum board, serves as the standard interior panel that encloses the HVAC, plumbing, electric, insulation, and mechanicals. This phase visually defines the home’s interior and provides our clients with a sense of the scale of their new home.
Exterior finishing is essential for both protecting the home from weather damage and giving it its visual character. This stage encompasses installing various surface materials like siding, stone, wood, stucco, and roofing materials such as metal, slate, or shingles.
Constructing a stairway and railing can span from a simple installation to a complex artistic endeavor, contingent upon the home's design. In numerous modern residences, stairs and railings are focal points, demanding intricate craftsmanship and precise geometry for flawless execution.
Choosing the right flooring material is a pivotal part of the design process. Whether it's natural hardwood, stone, or tile, the flooring sets the foundation for the interior ambiance and ties together the aesthetic of the entire home.
Installing the kitchen involves a detailed process of coordinating cabinetry, countertops, appliances, fixtures, and various electrical and plumbing components. Precision and attention to detail are essential during this phase to ensure that the design vision is fully realized.
Completing bathrooms entails the connection of fixtures like toilets, sinks, tubs, and showers, along with the installation of furnishings and accessories such as vanities, mirrors, and towel bars. Depending on the design specifications, some of these components may be installed after the painting stage.
While painting typically occurs towards the end of the construction process, its timing may vary based on project specifics. In some cases, it's more practical to perform tasks like spackling, sanding, priming, and painting before installing finish flooring or other final elements of the home's interior.
The remaining fixtures and finishes, essential for completing the house, are now prepared for installation. These include fixed elements such as decorative lighting, fans, and window treatments, adding the final touches to the interior.
At this stage, custom-built elements such as benches, bookcases, cabinets, and shelving are installed or constructed on-site, adding personalized touches to the home.
If not already done, interior door and window hardware, as well as miscellaneous items like cabinet pulls, will be installed at this stage.
As new home construction nears completion, a final walkthrough is conducted by the contractor, homeowner, architect, and interior designer. This allows for the identification of any remaining details that require attention, ensuring that the home is fully finished before occupancy.
The final step before you and your family can settle into your new, contemporary home is obtaining a document from your local municipality. This document confirms that the construction of the home has reached substantial completion and that it is ready for occupancy.
Welcome home! Once the construction crews finish the final cleaning of your new residence, they'll pass the keys to you. After your furniture is delivered and the landscaping is complete, our team will schedule a photoshoot of the house for our portfolio, pending your approval.
Major Home Renovation vs New, Modern Build.
While it may seem daunting at first, opting to build a new home from scratch often proves to be a wiser investment compared to embarking on a major renovation project.
But hold on – let us provide some insight!
We recognize that the idea of demolishing an existing structure can be overwhelming, but our analysis suggests that, particularly if significant additions or extensive renovations are needed to meet your family's needs, starting anew is the more prudent choice.
Here are a few critical factors we prioritize, especially for homes constructed between the 1960s and 1990s.
Did you realize that many homes over two decades old suffer from significant rot in their pitched roofs? This deterioration often stems from issues like flashing failure and material decay, necessitating expensive repairs. As a result, when planning major home renovations in New York, it's crucial to budget for the substantial expense of a new roof.
Moreover, numerous residences we craft in Long Island and the Hudson Valley boast lush surroundings. Introducing a flat roof to all or part of the home enables us to swiftly expand living space while capturing stunning views of nature. However, due to New York's fluctuating seasons, incorporating this extra space requires extensive design and engineering to tackle drainage, freezing, and safety concerns. These critical design elements contribute to the overall costs of a new build, ultimately making construction expenses for a flat roof significantly lower than those for an existing home.
CONCLUSION:
When planning a major renovation, it's crucial to consider that a new roof will likely be necessary, regardless of the design choices made. This means that cost savings may not be realized during the renovation process.
The flat roof of Clearview provides multiple private roof decks. [See More.]
Ceiling heights pose a significant challenge in major home renovations, especially for houses constructed between the 1960s and 1990s. Typically, these homes feature standard 8-foot ceilings throughout, which may not meet the preferences of most homeowners seeking a more spacious feel. To achieve higher ceilings, extensive structural modifications are necessary, often involving the removal of a significant portion of the existing structure and even the roof. This process can be both costly and labor-intensive.
CONCLUSION:
During a significant renovation, it's important to anticipate increased expenses if you desire higher ceilings. This is because adjusting ceiling heights typically involves extensive structural modifications, including the removal and addition of components to the existing framework.
High Ceilings in our bright, modern Surfside I House. [See More.]
In the process of renovating a home, it's common to consider relocating key areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and sometimes even the stairs to better suit modern living standards. Older home layouts often lack the open, interconnected spaces found in newer constructions, with kitchens tucked away, bathrooms feeling cramped, and stairs disconnected from the main living areas.
However, altering the layout means more than just moving fixtures—it involves extensive plumbing and framing work, along with the additional cost of materials. If the renovation aims to reconfigure these "wet" spaces or add new elements further from existing infrastructure, material expenses can rise sharply. At times, we're faced with a choice: compromise on the design to save costs or embrace the vision and accept the associated construction expenses.
CONCLUSION:
When undertaking a major renovation project, it's important to anticipate increased expenses if you intend to relocate essential areas such as the kitchen, bathrooms, and stairs. Moving these elements typically involves extensive demolition, structural adjustments, and rebuilding work, all of which contribute to higher overall costs for the renovation.
The modern kitchen at our Potato Residence.[See More About This Home.]
Many of our custom home designs feature a contemporary open floor plan, fostering a sense of connectivity and spaciousness within the living space. By integrating this layout, families are encouraged to gather and interact while basking in the abundant natural light that fills the room.
For those seeking an open plan, it's essential to consider the structural implications. Installing new steel beams may be necessary to support the floors above. In new construction, we seamlessly incorporate these structural elements into the design, ensuring a cohesive layout without interrupting the flow. However, in renovations, adding beams afterward can lead to aesthetic challenges and compromise the design's integrity.
CONCLUSION:
When considering a major renovation for an open plan layout, it's important to anticipate higher costs. This often involves significant structural changes, including the installation of new columns and beams to support the weight of the floors above. These structural modifications can add considerable expenses, as they require demolition and rebuilding to accommodate the desired layout.
The open floor plan at our Meadow Residence [See More About This Home.]
Expanding living space downward can be a game-changer for properties if the lot allows. Utilizing basement areas effectively allows for significant increases in square footage without altering the home's footprint. However, it's common for homes in these regions, constructed between the 1960s and 1990s, to feature basements with less-than-ideal 7-foot ceilings.
CONCLUSION:
In a major renovation, while you may save on the cost of a new foundation (approximately $50 - 60,000), it's crucial to consider the limitations of the existing basement height. Typically, homes from the 1960s to the 1990s in Hudson Valley and Long Island have basements with low ceilings, resulting in wasted space. Opting for a ground-up home allows for the design of significantly more usable space with minimal impact on the total budget.
Yes, this is a new basement after construction! [See More About This Home.]
Many contemporary residences boast expansive glass walls, prioritizing the infusion of natural light into living spaces. However, older dwellings often lack sufficient windows, and those present tend to be smaller in scale than contemporary standards dictate. To update an older home for enhanced natural illumination, extensive renovations are typically required, including the installation of larger windows and associated structural modifications, which can incur significant costs.
CONCLUSION:
Indeed, when you undertake a significant renovation, it's essential to factor in the replacement of windows and doors. These elements often require updates to meet modern standards of energy efficiency, safety, and aesthetics. While renovating, allocating budget for new windows and doors is crucial and overlooking these upgrades can lead to ongoing issues.
The rear of Surfside II opens up right to the sand. [See More About This Home.]
If your ideal custom home features a flat roof, an open floor plan, and large windows, investing in a new construction is a better choice than undertaking a major renovation.
By opting to design a new custom home, you can minimize design compromises and achieve your wish list more fully, all while staying within a comparable budget to a major renovation.
Are you considering whether to undertake a major renovation or build a new modern home? Here are some free resources that can help you get started:
• How Much will a New, Custom Home
Cost?
• How Long will a Custom Modern Home
Take?
• What is the Custom Home Design
Process?
