Steps to Building a House: Finishing Touches
When it comes to steps to building a house, the one that gets the new home buyer most excited is putting in the finishing touches. It’s the stage every homeowner eagerly anticipates. Well, besides move-in day, that is.
If you were watching on Home and Garden television, this is when the homeowners would be told to stay away until the big reveal. That’s because these final steps to building a house truly transform the home into a place you can see yourself living.
As we’ve discussed before, you’ve picked your location, found your builder, and witnessed them put the bones up. This last step saw the foundation poured, framing done, and plumbing, electrical, HVAC and insulation installed. At the end, the drywall was up and you were left looking at a blank canvas. The house had taken shape, but the style? That was still to come with these finishing touches.
First up is adding the home’s interior features. You’ve probably met with the builders’ design team already to make the many choices regarding:
Your builder may do floor installation and some painting at this point. But, that can also be done later on if there is any risk of damage during continued construction. This will depend on what’s left to do and what kinds of flooring options you’ve selected in your builders’ design center.
Hardwood is a common flooring choice, and you’ll get to choose from a variety of finishes, color tones, patterns, and styles. You may also select from numerous colors of carpeting, tile, and LVP/SPC products.
The outside of the home will start taking shape too. This is where the focus is on your home’s curb appeal. The builder will finish driveways, walkways, patios, and final grading to direct water away from your home.
The landscaping and exterior decorating will happen now too. So, if you don’t have much of a green thumb, this is when you plead with the builder to please only put in shrubs and other greenery that is low maintenance and has a strong will to live.
As the house nears completion it comes time to put in the toilets and faucets, light switches, heat register covers, hot water heater, electrical panel, and actual HVAC systems. (Thought we put the HVAC in when putting the bones up? That was installing the ductwork and wiring).
Shower doors, mirrors, shelves, closet doors, and light fixtures will go up at this stage too. If you’re making your home into a smart one, this is when your installer’s crews will come in to set up all your gadgetry and gizmos.
When it comes to lighting fixtures, lighting experts suggest it is a good idea to:
If your builder didn’t already install your hardwood flooring or carpets, that’s going to happen now. If you do try to pop by and see the house in progress, make sure you contact the builder first before stepping on those floors. You don’t want to risk damaging them by accident.
Once all this is done, your builder is going to invite you in for a final walk-through to make sure everything is as you envisioned it. You can point out any areas that need a paint touch-up and expect the home to be cleaned one last time. This is the last step before closing and collecting the keys to your new home. You’ve waited patiently, now you get to enjoy it.
Want to build a house with a high-quality builder with decades of experience in the Carolinas? Or find out about the homes we have already started building that are just waiting for you to add your imprint. Contact us today.
