You may be wondering what's involved with being an owner builder,
how the project would actually go. Here's an overview of the
construction sequence of events. The following sequence for a
typical construction project is offered as a guide only. Your
project may vary and could contain different tasks.
Site work
Survey of lot lines.
Staking of grading perimeters by the surveyor Rough grading of
building pad.
Grading of driveways or roads.
Utility installation
Electrical
Telephone
Cable TV
Water Sewer
Foundation installation
Provide fresh water source and portable toilet facilities.
Layout and chalking foundation on lot.
Plumbing trench layout by plumber if slab foundation.*
Digging of footings, piers and plumbing trenches.*
Setting of forms and steel.
Placement of main electrical ground and conduit if underground
electrical service. Electrician may also setup temporary electrical
service at this time.
Placement of sewer line under footings
Building department inspection.
Layout of hold down bolts and straps by framing contractor.
Pouring of concrete footings and stemwalls.
Placement of gravel, vapor barrier, sand and slab
reinforcing.
Building department slab inspection if applicable.
Pouring of concrete slabs.
Floor framing
Delivery of floor framing lumber, mudsill,
posts,guirders, joists, and blocks.
Install mudsill.
Install posts and guirders.
Install joists.
Under floor plumbing
Install DWV (drain, waste, and vents).
Install water supply lines.
Insulate all hot water lines.
Install gas lines.
Cap and fill all lines for test and inspection.
Under floor HVAC
Install all under floor supply ducts.
Under floor Electrical
Install any floor plug conduits.
Building department "Under floor inspection".
Inspector signs for floor framing, rough plumbing, rough
HVAC, and under floor Electrical.
Floor insulation
Insulation installed Building department inspection.
Wall Framing
First floor lumber load is delivered, subfloor, plates,
studs, headers, and any cut blocks.
Subfloor laid.
Walls are chalked on the subfloor and plated.
Walls are framed and stood.
Frame is plumbed and lined.
Second Floor Framed
Second floor frame load delivered, beams, joist,
subfloor, and hardware if required.
Second Floor Wall Framing
Second floor wall lumber delivered, plates, studs,
beams, headers, and any cut blocks.
Walls are framed and stood.
Frame is plumbed and lined.
Roof Framing
Roof lumber load is delivered, ceiling joists, rafters,
blocks, and sheathing.
Ceiling joists are installed.
Rafters are erected.
Roof sheathing is installed.
Windows and Exterior doors.
Windows are installed.
Doors are installed in the frame where required for the
installation of the siding.
Siding and Trim
Siding and trim lumber delivered, including shear wall
plywood and building paper or wrap.
Shear wall plywood is installed and nailed.
Building department inspects nailing on shear walls.
Building paper is installed.
Siding and trim installed.
Top out Plumbing
DWV is installed to all fixtures and vents are extended
through the roof sheathing.
Water lines are roughed in to all plumbing fixtures.
Bath tubs are set except for whirlpool type tubs.
All in wall shower valves are installed.
Gas lines are installed to all gas fixtures.
Condensation drain lines are installed to any air
conditioning air handlers.
Showers are hot mopped for tile.
Drains are filled to the top of the roof vents, tubs and
shower pans are filled with water.
Gas and water lines are pressured to insure no leaks and
for inspection.
HVAC Topout
Rain gutters are installed on roof.
Roof flashings are delivered to jobsite for roofer to install.
Ducts are installed for supply and return air.
Any air handlers in the attic are installed.
Thermostats are located and wired.
Bath vents and kitchen vents are installed.
Electrical Rough in
Electrician walks through house with owner to verify location of
all plugs, switched, and lights.
House is boxed in.
Wiring is pulled.
Low voltage systems are installed, television cable, telephone
lines, and any computer cabling.
Main and sub electric panels are made up except for circuit
breakers.
Rough Frame inspection
This is the big inspection. Building inspector signs off all
rough work.
Wall and Ceiling insulation
Building inspector signs off insulation.
Drywall
Drywall is installed and finished. Nailing inspection is
required in some areas.
Garage doors installed.
Finish carpentry.
Interior doors and trim are delivered into locked garage
including shelving, base boards, window stools and any crown
moldings.
Finish carpenter installs all interior trim.
Cabinets are delivered and installed.
Interior painting
Kitchens and baths are undercoated and enameled.
Balance of walls are painted.
Wood work is either painted or stained and finished.
Ceramic Tile and countertops are installed.
Appliances or a template for the appliances which set in the
counters must either be on site
Floor tiles are installed.
Finish Plumbing
Plumber sets all fixtures, tubs, valves, sinks, lavatories, and
water heater.
Water is on and the system is ready to use.
Gas lines are pressurized for final inspection.
Finish HVAC
All finish grills and registers are installed.
Air conditioning compressors are installed.
You must provide a concrete pad for the units.
Thermostats are set on the walls.
Finish Electric
Light fixtures are installed with bulbs.
Appliances are wired.
Switch and plug plates are installed.
Exterior Flat work.
Concrete driveways, patios, walks and any others are poured.
Finish flooring
Hardwood floors are installed.
Carpet installed.
Carpet installers remove the interior doors and place them in
the garage.
Finish Hardware
The finish hardware is installed by the finish carpenters, door
locks, bumpers, towel bars, paper holders, house numbers.
Appliances are secured in place.
Final inspection.
Building inspector issues a certificate of occupancy.
File notice of completion.
Either the title company or the county recorders will record
this notice.
REMEMBER