The site is then excavated to provide room for the house and access for equipment and crews. Builders attempt to save mature trees, but when that's not possible, new trees are planted. The site is carefully graded to accommodate home design as well as create proper slope for water drainage. Builders must keep up with several contractors for different trades. Once the site is ready, concrete footings are poured and checked by a building inspector.
Footings anchor the home to ground, support the foundation, and distribute the weight of the house.
The foundation is constructed of poured concrete or concrete block. Depending on site design and other factors, a home may use concrete slab, crawl space, or a basement foundation. The outside of foundation walls are treated with a substance to help resist water penetration. Floors and Walls A center-supporting beam is laid into a preformed pocket in the walls then pressure treated sill plates are bolted to the foundation to create a base for walls and flooring . Floor joists are secured across the width of the home to support the sub flooring and walls.