Stages of construction
July 1, 2021
Foundations
A solid house has to be built on a solid foundation. Investing a lot of time and energy to ensure your new home's foundation is as perfect can be is essential. Most of our projects are built on slab foundations. This is where a concrete pad that's poured directly onto the ground. This kind of foundation requires us to work with engineers and architects to ensure the foundations of your new home will work for the design and site.
There are other kinds of foundations like basement and crawlspace foundations that we also do. However, these foundations require a higher level of engineering, approval and design; thus, they come with a higher price tag. Our team of site workers, engineers and project managers will be on-site to ensure the foundation of your new home is built to last.
Retaining Wall
Now we have the foundation sorted; we need to protect it by installing the necessary retaining walls. Often sites need a little bit of extra support in the fight against gravity, so this is where a retaining wall will come in handy. Retaining walls help increase your site's usability and help manage water flows, so you don't end up with an unexpected swimming pool out in your yard after a heavy night's downpour.
You may think your land won't need a retaining wall, and if our architects and engineers agree, you won't need to worry about this step. However, Auckland is known for its hilly landscape, and many of our projects require a retaining wall from the council. This is to ensure the safety of your new home and the buildings around you. There's nothing worse than waking up and finding your BBQ fallen downhill and ending up in the neighbour's kitchen.
Ground Floor Frames
Right, so all the groundwork has been done, now we can start building your new home. Framing is where your new home starts to take shape, and the structure of your home becomes visible. Framing materials are usually wood, engineered wood, or structural steel, depending on your design, size and budget; however, most of our projects use standard wood for framing.
Framing is tricky – it sets the stage for everything else about the project, and an overlooked detail in framing can have serious repercussions with the finished product later. Our project managers and site workers have been in the business long enough to know what's right and what's wrong in framing. We also have regular inspections from our management team to ensure everything is going as smooth as possible.
First Floor (Mid Floor)
With the framing set up for the ground floor of your home, it's time to start putting together your floor for your first level. This stage is where you get to see what the view will be like in your new rooms, which is always an exciting step in building your new home.
The first floor has structural beams installed, and the mid-floor is put in place before putting the floor down. The mid-floor is so your new home can have a safe place for the insulation to be installed, and all the internal wiring and plumbing can be kept out of sight. The flooring laid down at this stage is just a base layer for when it's time to install carpets and tiles. It's mainly there so our team can get to work on the next stage.
First Floor Frames
Now we can stand on a steady floor; it's time to install the first-floor framing. Your new home is well underway by now, and you'll get to start making decisions on the interior finishes. But don't worry, your project manager will walk you through it all.
The first-floor frames are generally delivered to the site, prepped and ready to go for our site workers to install. Your frames will show you the true size of the rooms you designed back in the planning stage, as well as how the flow of your upper level will feel.
Trusses Up
The structure in place to see the size of your new home, but what about the roof. The next step to take is to install your trusses so you can begin to see what your final house will eventually look like. With the trusses up, you'll see the pitch and shape of your roof and what the view will look like through your skylight.
Now the skeleton of your home is complete, and you'll be able to see the accurate heights, widths and scale of your new home. If you have any questions about what's on-site, your project manager will be happy to answer and keep you updated throughout the project.
Roofing
Now we have an excellent looking building underway; it's time to install the roof and protect it from the elements. By this time, colour schemes for your new home and the roof will be decided on. Your new roof will give you the first taste of what the rest of your home will look like.
This is the first part of your new home that will be seen. The roof going on is an exciting time as you'll begin to see your ideas come to life. You have got to make a good impression with the new neighbours who no doubt will be watching.
Joinery Installed
The roof is on; now, let's get some windows in. The joinery will add to the picture of what your finished product will look like.
During this stage, your home will begin to look like more of a home with the outer shell installed. Now it's time to turn this shell of a house into your new home.
Brick/Shists Cladding
Walls are beginning to go up. Whether you've gone for brick, a shist feature wall or any other kind of intricate detailing, your home will start to come together nicely over the next few weeks.
The exterior of your home starts to look like a home, and your ideas are being brought to life with your colours and styles being installed on your new home. The exterior will begin to match your designs and help you to imagine the final look.
Weatherboard Cladding
The exterior of your new home gets its final cladding put on, and your dream is now a reality. This is where many of our clients feel most excited to look at their homes. From the outside, it's almost done, but there's still a lot of work to be finished before you can move in.
Once that's all done, your exterior will be complete!
Internal Doors Installed & Pre-Plumbing
Although it might seem counter-intuitive as you won't have any walls up yet, it's time to add some privacy and install the internal doors. You'll start to see pipes running through your walls and make sure there is enough room in the shower.
This is the most critical stage of your project, as you'll need to have a significant amount of input. You'll have to make decisions about all the inner workings of your new home. What kind of electrical wiring is needed, and where should power points be located? Decisions about plumbing for the pre-plumbing to be finished. All the hidden parts of the house will be done, including gas piping, air-con and central vac piping.
While all of that is being sorted and installed, your stairs will begin to go in, too—no need to climb that ladder to check out the upstairs levels. The best part is that all this can be done simultaneously that your exterior is being installed and finished.
All Internal Lining
Now those internal doors will come in handy. At this stage, the interior lining begins to make sure your new home is as warm and cosy in the winter as it is in the summer. The insulation you choose will have a significant impact on things later down the track.
By now, your exterior is finished, the interiors are all sorted, and the scaffolding is being taken down. Time for some walls to go up and your landscaping to get some TLC after months of workers and building materials tracking over it.
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With everything prepped, primed, and quality assured, it's time to build some walls. At this point, the plastering will begin; this is a crucial element to having the high-quality finish you should expect from your new home. And to ensure we meet those high standards, we have regular quality assurance checks from third parties so you can be sure your new home is built to the highest standard possible.
Interior Painting
The day has finally come to see your home come together; with the paint on the walls, you will begin to feel like you're at home. Although it seems like a lifetime ago you were looking at paint swatches, you'll be glad to see your vision coming together.
This is another exciting stage for you as you'll be given colour choices for the doors, ceilings and frames. You'll start to see your interior come together, and your project manager will be right there with you to answer any of those questions you've been pondering.
Waterproofing
During this stage, well also be waterproofing any of the wet areas of your home, like the bathroom and laundry, to ensure it's all good to go for when you move in. The kitchen you spent weeks contemplating and designing has arrived to be installed, and the heart of your home is almost ready to start beating.
Hardware & Tiling
At this stage, we get our trusted contractors to come in and lay your flooring options and to make sure everything fits together nicely, just how you imagined.
The garage door also gets installed along with all the internal door locks, handles and other hardware in the house.
Plumbing & Electrical Fittings
All the electrical fit-outs are installed, and your bathroom is plumbed in, ready to be tested after you move in.
The bathroom you've been dreaming about since you started this project gets installed at this stage, and that door look will come in handy with your toilets being installed now. The water and power to your house will go live.
Don't worry; we're not going to turn the power on and not install anything to show you that it all works properly. We'll also have our electrician's come in and install all the downlights, switches and power points all ready to go.
Floor Coverings
Just before you move in, we lay that luxurious carpet you've been dreaming about since you choose it, however long ago it was. You begin to wonder where the time has gone; your home is so close to being finished after months of planning and preparation.
At this stage, your home will get its final touches and will have another check-in with the quality assurance team to make sure your home is good to go. With everything looking good, we get out the cleaning supplies one last time before you get to see your finished home.
Final Payment Upon Council Signoff
It's time for the final walkthrough with your project manager. Checking everything is just how you thought it would be. At this stage, we get the council back in for one last check to make sure everything is as we said it would be. All the elements of the build are correct, and the standards are met. Once we've finished all that paperwork, and it's approved, your new home is ready for you to move in.
Issue of Code of Compliance Certificate
Move-in day is here! It's time to unpack all those boxes and get that new furniture delivered as you'll officially be proud new owners of your dream home. We may have to wait until we get the code of compliance certificate which is essentially a document saying that your building is up to building standards and the roof won't cave in on your first night. It's a necessary document, but it gives you peace of mind that your new home is built to last.
Well, that's it. Your new home is complete. Congratulations on your new home, and welcome to the 3C Homes family.