Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Building Schedule
I have a standard building schedule that I use for every house I build.
It’s a list of everything I need to do to get the house built, in the approximate order that things
need to be done.
In the following pages, you’ll find a schedule that can work for you, based on the one I use.
The items are listed in groups using a biweekly timeline.
Don’t worry if you don’t get everything accomplished in accordance with the timeline. I
sometimes miss myself.
It’s meant to be approximate. Just do the best you can.
Don’t be intimidated by the number of tasks on the schedule.
You only do a few per week and only one at a time.
You can manage it. It even gets easier as you go along.
Remember that there are some tasks that must precede other tasks. These are noted on
another page Build It This Way
Getting certain tasks out of order will force you to make corrections, wasting time and money.
In the course of building your house you may see something that needs to be done that doesn’t
appear on the schedule.
That’s ok, because every job is unique and you should expect to improvise occasionally. Every
builder does.
Your common sense is your best guide.
Follow the schedule and check off the items as you complete them.
The schedule will keep you moving in the right direction.
And best of all, it’s always there with the answer to the most common question of all…..
What do I do next?
Master Building Schedule
This house building schedule will get you through the process, stepbystep.
It is offered only as a guideline to help planning in the building of your house. It is based upon
the schedule that I use.
No assurance is offered that this list contains every task you will have to perform to successfully
complete your house.
Every house building project is unique, with its own specific tasks. Building code requirements
differ by states, counties, and cities.
Preconstruction
Obtain financing commitment.
Select a lot to build on. Sign a contract to purchase the lot.
Obtain house plan that fits your budget and the size of the lot.
Have lot surveyed, mark corners, building lines, elevation requirements.
Close the purchase of the lot.
Give a copy of your house plan with specifications to your lender.
Prepare a site plan, showing location of house on lot, to scale.
Complete your costestimating procedures.
Purchase Builder’s Risk insurance policy.
Obtain building permit. Post the permit at the job site.
Obtain temporary power and water for job site.
Order portable toilet for job site.
Foundation week 12
Hire foundation contractor.
Meet with foundation contractor, establish house corners.
Prepare foundation materials list.
Hire plumbing contractor.
Begin site preparation, if needed.
Dig footings.
Order foundation materials.
Have footings pass inspection.
Pour concrete footings.
Have multiple sources compile framing and materials list (takeoff) with prices.
Hire framing contractor.
Make sure your window selections are in stock or on order.
If crawlspace foundation, lay concrete block.
If concrete slab foundation, frame for slab.
Roughin plumbing.
Have plumbing pass inspection.
Master Building Schedule
This house building schedule will get you through the process, stepbystep.
It is offered only as a guideline to help planning in the building of your house. It is based upon
the schedule that I use.
No assurance is offered that this list contains every task you will have to perform to successfully
complete your house.
Every house building project is unique, with its own specific tasks. Building code requirements
differ by states, counties, and cities.
Foundation week 12 (continued)
Have soil treated for termites, if required.
Roughin electrical conduit, if needed.
Measure plumbing locations for accuracy.
Check slab frame for square corners, level boards, grade beams, and accurate dimensions.
Have foundation pass inspection.
Pour concrete slab.
Order lumber delivery for framing.
Order foundation survey if required by lender.
Framing week 34
Begin framing.
Hire electrical contractor.
Hire HVAC contractor.
Hire cabinet maker.
Hire insulation contractor.
Make additional framing material orders as needed.
As framing continues, and before completion, check to see that:
walls that will have cabinets are straight
doors are level
doors open and close smoothly
windows are level
sufficient deadwood is in ceiling framing
joists are sized and spaced according to plan
stair riser measurements are according to code
plumbing is within framed walls or if furrout is needed
utility company roughsin gas line, if needed
fireplace is roughedin
Measure for cabinets.
Make cabinet and countertop selections.
Master Building Schedule
This house building schedule will get you through the process, stepbystep.
It is offered only as a guideline to help planning in the building of your house. It is based upon
the schedule that I use.
No assurance is offered that this list contains every task you will have to perform to successfully
complete your house.
Every house building project is unique, with its own specific tasks. Building code requirements
differ by states, counties, and cities.
Mechanicals week 56
Roughin plumbing
Hire roofer
Roughin HVAC
Roughin electric
Hire drywall contractor
Hire brick or siding contractor
Have roofing supplier do material estimate, order roofing materials
Install roofing
Roughin security system and any other inwall systems
Install door locks. Keep house locked during nonworking hours.
Verify HVAC tonnage
Have plumbing, electrical, HVAC pass inspection
Insulate walls and other as needed
Mark floors, locating electric outlets, switches, air vents, prior to hanging wallboard
Have framing pass inspection
Have wallboard supplier calculate board count
Return unused lumber
Have brick inspection pass, if needed
Order wallboard
Brick, Siding, Miscellaneous week78
Order brick materials, or siding material
Hang and finish wallboard
Screw down wood subfloors in addition to nailing done by framers
Install brick or siding
Hire concrete flatworker
Have public utility run gas line if needed
Do interior clean out
Master Building Schedule
This house building schedule will get you through the process, stepbystep.
It is offered only as a guideline to help planning in the building of your house. It is based upon
the schedule that I use.
No assurance is offered that this list contains every task you will have to perform to successfully
complete your house.
Every house building project is unique, with its own specific tasks. Building code requirements
differ by states, counties, and cities.
Brick, Siding, Miscellaneous week 78 (continued)
Dig underground electric service trench, if needed
Have trench pass inspection
Refer to floor markings; verify no plugs, switches, or vents are covered by wallboard
Hire trim carpenter
Have your lumber sales rep do trim material takeoff
Do exterior clean up of scrap brick, all trash
Roughgrade lot
Caulk windows, doors, and flashing after brick or siding complete
Trim and Miscellaneous week 910
Hire painter
Order trim material
Install trim
Frame for concrete flatwork
Arrange for concrete delivery
Check flatwork forms for level and squareness
Make paint color and paint grade selections
If brick steps will be added, dig a footing for support
Pour concrete flatwork
Clean brick
Paint and Miscellaneous week 1112
Return excess trim material
Interior clean out
Paint prime coat
Have wallboard finisher return for touch up on primed walls
Finish paint
Install garage door
Install gutters
Master Building Schedule
This house building schedule will get you through the process, stepbystep.
It is offered only as a guideline to help planning in the building of your house. It is based upon
the schedule that I use.
No assurance is offered that this list contains every task you will have to perform to successfully
complete your house.
Every house building project is unique, with its own specific tasks. Building code requirements
differ by states, counties, and cities.
Cabinets and Miscellaneous week 1314
Install cabinets
Measure for and order cabinet countertops
Make flooring selections
Install wood and tile flooring
Select lighting fixtures
Select plumbing fixtures if not already done
If building deck, do after roughgrade and before landscaping
Order mirrors, glass, closet racks, bath hardware fixtures
Hire landscaper
Install countertops
Mechanical Finals week 1516
Plumbing final
HVAC final
Security system final
Order and deliver appliances
Deliver light fixtures
Electric final
Have plumbing, electric, and HVAC pass inspection
Order shoe mold, door knobs, door stops
Trim final
Landscape final
Install mirrors, glass, and hardware
Insulate attic
Final week 1718
Install carpet
Paint touchup
Have building pass final inspection
Place order for permanent power
Have HVAC contractor start up system when power is on
Final clean
Congratulate yourself! Enjoy your new house and the ton of money you saved!