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Building a Home

Does anyone have a checklist/timeline?

16 years ago

We are going to sign our official construction contract by the end of the month. I've been working on things for a while, but I'm a "planner", so I'd like to know what I need to pick out/decide on first.

For instance, if one of the first decisions is "wiring" and one of the last decisions is "paint colors", I'd like to work in that order, because right now I feel I'm all over the place.

If anyone has anything they can share, I'd appreciate it :)

If it's in the form of an attachment my e-mail address is :

jlauren26@aol.com

Thanks ;)

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Comments (5)

worthy
16 years ago
Windows and doors come first!

Then bricks/stones/custom cast material.

Then cabinetry.

All these items can have long lead times--up to 12 weeks and more.

At least, that's the order I always go with.

I also choose plumbing fixtures and fittings way in advance because with 5-7 baths there's a lot to pick and such a vast selection. Of course, some people can breeze through this. I had one client choose the same sinks, w.cs, tubs and taps throughout. Made it a lot simpler for me! (On my own home, I've even used different taps in the same bathroom.)

Since I've found some bargains on the net, I recommend picking trim hardware and the like early too, to accomodate the often long delivery times.
bj_inatlanta
16 years ago
I'm printing worthy's post because I, too, am a planner. I can see that although worthy gave us the sequence and some timelines, it still has to be adjusted for your own builder's total construction schedule.

I can't find a printed schedule. I can find construction timelines in books, but I can't find a printed homeowner's selections timeline.

The only thing I've seen is from a book titled Build Your New House in No Time, by Lon S. Safko. A good book, BTW. Buy it and you go to his website and get registered so you can do downloads of all his forms. He says in Ch. 10 that you should ask your builder to give you both a select sheet and a construction schedule. Using them together you can see when to give your builder what info.

He has downloads for both documents but I don't see that it tells you the critical info. of when each selection is needed from you. Best I can figure it, each builder has a rough weeks-to-completion timeline. You have to ask him what decisions he needs from you by what date.

I'm in the dark, too.
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bj_inatlanta
16 years ago
So far I can't find much other than a sequence. Since your builder will set the actual timeline, according to his total time to build plus any peculiarities to your selectioons, perhaps a sequence is all you need to get started.

I found that at the John Weiland Homes website. Their "Design Appointment Selections Schedule."

I'm guessing that books for owner-builders might have more info. as to timelines, since OBs have to know that in advance for planning purposes.

Anybody?
charliedawg
16 years ago
Here is the order we used.

doors/windows
brick
cabinets/counter tops
lighting
flooring
paint colors
persnicketydesign
16 years ago
The big ones are already listed above, but I'd like to add in that you need to pick out your appliances before you order your cabinets. They don't have to be purchased before the cabinets, but you do need the measurements that are in the specs, so that your cabinets are sized correctly. Don't forget about the range hood!

Several people have mentioned on the bathrooms forum that their toilets were back ordered for months, so I'd get those ordered early too.

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