Construction Process OUR PROCESS MENU The Construction Process Building a home can be an exciting and fun endeavor, but can cause some anxiety. Our goal at Tom French Construction is to guide you through the entire process, making the building of your dream home a happy and pleasant experience. Below is a guideline of the construction process. 1 Preliminary After the contracts are signed but before we begin to dig the dirt, many things are in the works. Final revisions are made on the plans and permits are obtained. A surveyor will mark the location of the house on the lot by placing stakes where the house corners will be. The developer approves the plans and permits are purchased. The lot is then cleared and graded to make room for the house. All windows and doors are ordered at this early stage. 2 Foundation The ground is broken and the job begins. An excavation is completed before the house foundation, and the footings and foundation walls are poured. The foundation is allowed to cure and then is waterproofed. Drain pipes are placed around the foundation to carry water away from the house. Trenches are dug for sewer, water and gas lines. These lines are then run from the main supply to the house. Dirt is then backfilled around the foundation and the lot is graded for proper drainage. Finally, the concrete slab for the basement floor is poured. A building inspector will check the foundation after the footings are poured and again once the foundation is completed to see that everything is in accordance with the building codes for each city. 3 Rough-In Lumber, windows, and doors are delivered and the house framing begins. Rough-in forms the skeletal structure that will define the house. A center steel beam is placed atop the foundation walls and supported by piers (steel columns that will eventually be hidden inside the house's interior walls.) A subfloor is anchored to the foundation walls. Upright pieces of lumber (studs) are assembled to form the skeleton for interior walls. These studs are secured to the subfloor. After the house is completely framed, a roof is put on and shingled. During this phase, you will complete exterior selections and make your cabinet selections. A garage door is ordered, and the heating and air conditioning are laid out. 4 Mechanical Rough-In Once the house is fully framed out, the rough-in plumbing is done. This means that the pipes that will circulate water throughout the house are installed. These pipes will eventually be hidden inside walls. Next heating and air conditioning contractors install all the ductwork for the home's heating and cooling systems. Electrical subcontractors lay cable and do all the in-wall wiring for electrical circuits, telephones, security systems, doorbells, cable television, recessed cans, and ceiling fans. You will be asked if you have any changes. Insulation is placed in foundation walls and floors and in the attic. Foam and caulk sealing is done to insulate around doors and windows. Fireplaces are installed. At the same time, tradesmen are working on the exterior of the house. Carpenters are adding exterior trim work. Masons are adding brick or stone veneer. Stucco is being installed and decks will be built. The garage door is installed. Landscaping selections will need to be made. In the next weeks, as work continues inside, outside porches and driveways will be poured, the outside of the house will be painted and the final grading of the lot will be finished. 5 Drywall/Trim/Paint Once mechanical systems are installed, sheets of drywall (sheet rock) are nailed to the 2x4 upright boards (studs) to form the interior wall of the house. Smaller pieces are cut for the irregular shaped areas so that everything is covered. The seams in the drywall are then taped and covered with a joint compound to form one smooth expanse. All seams are then sanded. Ceilings are sprayed and textured and hardwood floors are installed. By this time you will need to have all your interior finish selections made...paint and trim colors and cabinet paint color or stain. Cabinets are delivered and finish carpenters install all wood trim...crown molding, baseboards and staircases. Bath tubs and showers are installed, as well as the cabinets in the kitchen and baths. Once all woodwork is installed, the entire house is swept and the painting of the Interior begins...walls, trim, cabinets, etc. Painting of the interior will usually take a week or more. 6 Interior Finish All hardware on cabinets are added and interior doors go in. Ceramic tile is installed in kitchen, baths and laundry. Mirrors are put in. Appliances go in. Plumbers install kitchen and bath fixtures and faucets. Electricians put in outlets, switches and light fixtures. Heating and cooling contractors put in the furnace and air conditioner equipment as well as grills, registers and thermostats. Phone jacks, intercoms and central vacuum equipment are added. The hardwood floors are finished. 7 Final Detail Paint is cleaned off the inside of the windows. Carpet is laid and the entire house receives a final cleaning. The building inspector will make a final check of all mechanical systems and of the interior and exterior of the house. If all is in compliance, the inspector issues an occupancy permit. Tom French Construction 15106 Glenwood Overland Park, KS Phone: (913) 387-0188 ©2021 Tom French Construction. All Rights Reserved. Site By Builder Designs © 2019 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes. AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED FRANCHISE. Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC and used with permission. Equal Opportunity Company. 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