Building Process

At Smith & Briscoe, we believe that the more informed you are about the construction of your new home, the more enjoyable the process will be for you and your family. Therefore, the following provides a detailed description of the sequence of events involved throughout the building process.

We hope that you find this helpful as you follow along throughout the stages involved in the building of your new home.

Pre-construction Process

You will meet with us to go through all aspects of your new home at a pre-construction meeting. At this meeting you will have the opportunity to ask questions and make changes to your home directly with the designers.

A color selection meeting will be scheduled so that you can choose your interior and exterior colors and finishes.

Stage 1: Foundation

  • Excavation - The excavator is contacted and an excavation date is scheduled for the basement.
  • Footers - Once the home is excavated, the footer is formed, steel set in place and poured. The footer is the continuous concrete pad that the foundation walls set on.
  • Foundation Walls - The 8' concrete basement walls are poured. (9' Walls - Optional).
  • Waterproofing - The supplier of the waterproofing system schedules a coating specialist to apply the system to the outside of the foundation walls. Includes a standard 1-year limited warranty. (Additional Warranty Limits - Optional).
  • Exterior Foundation Drainage System - Perforated piping is placed around the outer perimeter of the foundation and approximately 9" to 12" of gravel is backfilled to the foundation to supply a drainage system and also help to minimize hydrostatic pressure to the walls. Underground Plumbing - The plumber will install the plumbing that must be located under the concrete basement floor.
  • Beams - Steel beams are delivered and set.
  • Interior Concrete Slab - Sump pump and perforated tile is installed and gravel is placed. Once completed, a Polly Vapor Barrier is place over the gravel and the concrete is poured for the basement floor.
  • Backfill - The dirt is then pushed back in around the exterior block walls providing a positive slope for proper drainage away from the home.
  • Gas and Water Service - Trench for gas and water supply lines.

Stage 2: Framing

  • Materials Delivered - The lumber package and to the lot. At this point, the framing process is ready to begin.
  • Framing - The framing process involves building the sub floors and walls for each floor of the home. The length of time required to complete the entire process will vary based upon the size of the home and weather conditions, but it will typically take two to four weeks.
  • Trusses - Set roof Trusses or Rafters
  • Under Roof - After the Trusses or Rafters are in place, the sheathing material is applied to cover the roof area.
  • Windows and Doors - All exterior windows and doors are delivered and installed.
  • Stairs - The basement and second floor stairs are installed, as applicable.
  • Roofing - installing a layer of felt paper dries in the roof.

Stage 3: Mechanicals

  • HVAC Rough In - A heating and cooling technician is scheduled to install the heating and cooling ducts throughout the home.
  • Plumbing Rough In - The plumber will return to install water and sewer lines, as well as the tub and shower units.
  • Roofing - The roof is then finalized by installing the shingles. (Flashing will be completed after brick).
  • Electric Rough In - The electrician is scheduled to install the electrical wiring throughout the home.
  • Structured Wiring Rough In - Optional
  • Alarm/Stereo/Intercom Rough In - Optional
  • Central Vacuum System Rough In - Optional

Stage 4: Insulation

  • Brick/Stone/Vinyl Siding - Based upon customer selections, the exterior finishes are applied. Insulation - Insulate exterior walls and vaulted or cathedral ceilings. Blow-in attic insulation will be blown after drywall is installed.
  • Rough Grading - Grading and cleanup is done. Driveway and Walkway paths are cut.
  • Exterior Concrete - All exterior concrete is poured, which includes the front stoop, walkway, driveway, and sidewalk.

Stage 5: Drywall

  • Drywall - The drywall is hung on all interior walls and garage common walls. The entire Drywall process usually takes approximately seven to ten days to complete.
  • Finish Drywall - Next, the three-stage process of applying tape, mud and corner bead to the drywall joints.
  • Ceiling - The ceiling then gets textured.
  • Sand - The final step of the drywall process is to sand the walls to create a smooth surface.
  • Paint - The painter will prime the interior walls with the first coat of paint.

Stage 6: Trim and Finish

  • Tile - The ceramic tile is installed based upon your selections. Ceramic Tile Flooring/Ceramic Tub and Shower Walls.
  • Interior Trim - The trim carpenter will install the interior doors, baseboard trim and stair handrails.
  • Paint - The painter will paint or stain the woodwork, as needed.
  • Hardwood Flooring - A Hardwood floor specialist will install the custom oak hardwood flooring.
  • Cabinets - The cabinet installer will set kitchen and bathroom cabinets and install hardware, as applicable.
  • HVAC Finish - The heating and cooling technician returns to install grills, wall vents and a wall thermostat.
  • Vinyl Flooring - The vinyl flooring is installed based upon your selections.
  • Plumbing Finish - The plumber returns to install shut-offs, fixtures and faucets.
  • Electric Finish - The electrician returns to install outlets, switch plates and light fixtures.
  • Exterior Complete
  • Finish Grading - The final grading of the lot is completed, which will ensure that the lot slopes away from the home for proper drainage.
  • Landscaping - The landscaping company will lay the sod, seed and straw, as well as plant the trees and shrubs.

Stage 7: Final Touches

  • Paint - The painter will roll the second coat of interior walls.
  • Mirrors & Shelves - The final touch items are now installed such as the bathroom mirrors and closet shelves.
  • Carpet - The carpet pad and carpet are installed.
  • Trim Final - The trim carpenter will return to take care of any final details with the interior trim.
  • Cleaning
  • Paint Touchups - Items are touched-up as needed.
  • Pre-closing Walk Through - A representative from Smith & Briscoe will contact you to schedule a time to walk through your new home. At this point we will answer any questions that you may have and take care of any necessary corrections. All corrections will be documented on a Pre-Closing Walk Through Report, and resolved within a few days. Upon completion of correcting the items, a second walk through will be scheduled to confirm that all items were addressed.

Stage 8: Closing

At closing you will receive a package of information, which will include your Home Warranty, manufacturer warranty information for the products used in your new home, as well as the keys to your new home.