Building in Billings Part 2 of 3 – The Building Process From Start To Finish
Welcome back to part 2 of the 3 part blog series – Building In Billings!
Throughout this series, we’re diving into:
The Pre-Construction Phase – what to know before you build (read here!)
The Building Process From Start To Finish (you’re here!)
Finalizing Your Build – moving in and next steps (coming soon!)
Building your dream home from the ground up is such an exciting journey, but it comes with its fair share of challenges and a LOT of patience is needed throughout the entire process.
One thing I know for sure is that the building process can be made a lot more simple when you know how to go about it correctly, which is exactly why I wanted to create The Building in Billings series here on the blog.
My hope throughout this series is that you can ease some of the stress and overwhelm that can come with the building process and make all of your decisions with ease.
In this blog post, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the building process from start to finish so you can know exactly what to expect!
Let’s dive in.
The Next Step After You Secure Your Land and Hire Your Builder
So, you’ve worked with a trusted, local real estate agent to find and secure your plot of land that you want to build your dream home on! YAY. 🎉
That’s such an exciting feeling. You’re one step closer to having the home that is truly YOURS.
This is where the fun (and sometimes not-so-fun) things really begin.
In addition to securing your plot of land, you should have also hired a builder that’s in alignment with your goals. Because well… without a builder, not much can happen, right?
Even with both of those things – a plot of land and a builder ready to work – no physical work can actually begin until a range of permits are secured.
These permits are crucial because they ensure that the construction complies with local building codes and safety standards. The types of permits that you need for your specific build can vary, but here are a few of the most common that are required:
Building Permit – this is the primary permit needed to begin construction that ensures your home’s design complies with local zoning laws, safety regulations, and other legal requirements.
Zoning Permit – zoning permits are essential for confirming that your home can be built on a specific lot. Local zoning laws govern things like building height, property lines, and whether the land is designated for residential use.
Electrical Permit – any electrical work, from wiring to panel installation, requires an electrical permit which ensures that all electrical systems are safely installed and meet code requirements.
Plumbing Permit – your builder will also need a plumbing permit to install pipes, drainage systems, and fixtures to make sure that your home’s plumbing is up to code and safely connected to the local water supply and sewage systems.
Mechanical Permit – this covers the installation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and ensures your home’s air quality and temperature control systems meet safety standards.
The GOOD news is that most builders handle the entire permitting process, so it’s not something that you typically have to stress over.
Your builder will submit applications, pay the necessary fees, and coordinate with local government offices to ensure everything is approved before breaking ground.
As the homeowner, your role in this part of the process is simply reviewing documents and giving your stamp of approval. ✅
A Step-by-step of the Building Process in Billings, Montana
Once permits are secured, construction can officially begin! There is truly no better feeling than when your builder lets you know that they’ve got the go ahead to break ground.
This is when it starts to feel really real. Even though it’s an exciting milestone, there’s still a long way to go in the building process. If you're new to the world of new construction, here’s a quick breakdown and overview of the building process:
Site Prep
The first step in any new construction project is clearing the land of any trees, rocks, or debris. After the land is cleared, the builder will level and grade the lot to create a stable surface for the foundation. If your property has uneven terrain, this step may take a bit longer and could involve additional costs.
Foundation Pouring
After your lot has been prepared, it’s time to lay the foundation. This can vary depending on your home’s design (slab, crawlspace, or basement), but generally speaking, the builder will pour concrete to form the foundation and let it cure for several days. Once cured, a waterproofing layer is added to prevent moisture from seeping into the home.
During this phase, expect to see heavy machinery on your home site as workers dig, grade, and lay the groundwork for the home’s structure. Although the visible progress may seem slow at this point, this step lays the essential groundwork for the rest of the build.
Framing
After the foundation is complete, the framing stage begins, which transforms your lot from a bare foundation to something that actually looks like a home! 🏠
The frame will act as your home’s skeleton and is constructed using lumber to create the walls, roof, and floors. Once the frame is in place, you can start to visualize the layout and size of each room. This is also when exterior elements like windows and doors are installed.
Plumbing and Electrical Rough-Ins
Once the frame is complete, your builder will begin the rough-in phase for essential systems, including running electrical wiring, installing plumbing pipes, and setting up your home’s HVAC ductwork. These rough-ins are done before the walls are enclosed, allowing for easier access and adjustments if needed.
Insulation
After the rough-ins are complete, insulation is installed, which is vital for regulating your home’s temperature and energy efficiency.
The framing to insulation phase of the building process can move fairly quickly and it’s often a great time for you as the homeowner to visit your home site and see the layout as it’s coming together in real life.
Drywall Installation
Once the insulation is installed and all the rough-ins are complete, the next step is putting up the drywall. This is when your home really starts to look like a livable space.
Sheets of drywall are cut to fit the wall frames, secured, and then sealed with joint compound to smooth the seams between panels. Afterward, the walls are sanded down to create a smooth surface, ready for painting or finishing.
Interior Finishes
And now for the super fun part that you’ve likely been waiting for – adding the interior finishes that make your house TRULY feel like home.
This includes flooring, cabinets and countertops, painting, and trim and molding.
At this stage, you’ll begin seeing all the design choices you made earlier in the process come together, giving your home its personality and style.
💡 BUT WAIT – if you’re not exactly sure when to make all of these design choices (because let’s be real, there are a LOT of them), I’ve got a resource to help.
The New Build Checklist is your no overwhelm path to building a home you're obsessed with!
Inside you’ll find a breakdown of ALLLL the decisions you need to make when it comes to customizing your home, including cabinet pulls, door knobs, appliances, faucets and everything in between. CLICK HERE to grab yours!
Final Electrical and Plumbing Work
Once the major interior finishes are done, the electricians and plumbers return to install the final elements including light fixtures of your choice, such as chandeliers, recessed lighting, ceiling fans, etc., outlets, switches, and thermostats and all of your plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, faucets, sinks, and showerheads. 🚽🚿
This is the finishing touch that makes these spaces usable!
Exterior Finishes
As the work begins to wrap up on the inside of your home, the exterior will be getting some love of its own! This includes siding or brickwork which gives the outside of your home its aesthetic look, roofing, windows and doors, and driveways and walkways, including your porch, patio, or deck.
Landscaping
One of the last things you’ll focus on during your new build process is landscaping, which can be as simple or elaborate as you like. This part of the process often includes grading the yard to ensure proper drainage, installing grass, trees, shrubs, and flower beds and creating hardscaping features like retaining walls, pavers, or garden paths. 🌱
Landscaping is always something you can focus on later on, but the important part is that you DO pay attention to it as it can increase your home’s curb appeal and overall value.
Suggested Walkthrough Points During The Building Process
Throughout the process outlined above, it can be SO exciting to see your home come together. Something you’ve dreamed of for so long and worked hard to make happen is finally becoming a reality, but even with the progress during the building process, it’s essential that you still conduct walkthroughs during key phases of construction.
These walkthroughs are opportunities for you to ensure that everything aligns with your expectations and the original plan. Conducting walkthroughs at various times can make sure that you’re not met with any surprises after the building is finished and ultimately gives you the opportunity to catch any errors or mistakes before it’s too late.
A few suggested walkthrough points include:
After Framing – once the framing is complete, this is your first chance to walk through the structure and visualize your home’s layout. Pay attention to room sizes, window placements, and any features that might differ from the floor plan.
Before Drywall – this is the best time to verify that all plumbing, electrical, and HVAC rough-ins are in the correct locations. Once the drywall is up, making changes becomes much more difficult and expensive.
Before Finishing Touches – another walkthrough should be scheduled before the interior finishes (flooring, cabinets, paint) are installed. This allows you to double-check any custom details or upgrades you’ve selected.
Suggested Inspections During The Building Process
In addition to conducting strategic walkthroughs throughout the building process, it’s also important to have strategic inspections done throughout the process as well.
Most of the time, inspections are actually required at several stages of the build, so it’s not necessarily something you always have to request.
Ultimately, inspections ensure the home is safe, compliant with local building codes, and constructed properly. The most common inspections include:
Foundation Inspection – after the foundation is poured and cured, a building inspector will assess its structural integrity to ensure it meets code. Once the foundation passes inspection, the framing can begin.
Framing Inspection – once the framing is complete and rough-ins are installed, an inspector will check the structure’s safety and compliance with local codes to ensure that your walls, roof, and essential systems are properly constructed and installed.
Electrical and Plumbing Inspections – these inspections ensure that all electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, and mechanical systems are correctly installed and meet safety standards. Inspectors check for proper grounding, secure connections, and that systems are installed in a way that minimizes future issues.
Final Inspection – and likely the most obvious inspection, before you can move in, a final inspection is conducted to ensure everything from the foundation to the finishes meets building codes. Once the home passes this inspection, it’s considered safe and ready for occupancy.
You’ll learn more about the final inspection and move-in phase of the building process in Part 3 of this series!
Trusted Contractors In Billings, MT
As you can see, there’s so much that goes into making your dream home a reality! While it can feel overwhelming at first glance, I’m a firm believer that everything is easier when you have the right people by your side.
This goes for any situation in the real estate world, but ESPECIALLY if you’re building a home.
Oftentimes, you’ll be required to use the contractors that your builder prefers, but if you find yourself in a scenario where you need to source your own contractors for various things throughout your build process, I’ve got a few recs to help you out:
LC Custom Homes (who I used when I built Sunbeam!)
Bowe Construction – General Contracting
Elite Flooring – Flooring Install
David S. Siding and Windows – Roofing, Windows, and Siding
Tounsley Electric – Electrician (yes, I’m biased 😉)
Christoferson Plumbing & Heating – HVAC and Plumbing
Horizon Landscaping – Landscaping and Sprinkler Systems
For a full list of preferred vendors that I’ve personally worked with and trust (PLUS their contact info!), CLICK HERE to download the full vendor list!
Ready to start building in Billings?
If you’re ready to start the building process in Billings, MT, I’m ready to help you get started!
Before you can get to the fun stuff, it’s important to partner with a local, trusted real estate agent that will work with you from start to finish to make the process feel way less overwhelming and will help you get connected with all of the crucial people needed who have been vetted and trusted.
If you’re local to Billings and are ready to start the process of building your dream home, CLICK HERE to connect and I’ll help you get started on the right foot.
And if you aren’t local to Billings, good news for you – I know people.
Connect here and I’ll get you in touch with a trusted agent in your area to start the home buying process with ease!