At American Heritage Homes, we make the custom home building process as seamless as possible. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what you can expect when building with us.
1. Signing the Contract
Once you’ve chosen American Heritage Homes as your builder and agree on the design and price, the first step is to sign the contract. This solidifies our partnership and marks the beginning of your custom home journey.
2. First Selections Meeting
During your first selections meeting, you’ll meet with our design partners at America’s Floor Source to make exciting decisions about your home’s interior, including flooring, tile, cabinetry colors, and countertops. This is where your home starts to take on your personal style.
3. Lot Walk
Before the lot walk, we finalize the drawings for the foundation, elevation, and floor plans, collectively known as the Lot Walk Set of plans. These drawings serve as a basis for discussing your home’s location, driveway, and septic system and for confirming utilities. At this stage, we may also request an auditor’s map and/or survey plat, along with a soil report, to ensure everything is in order. With this information, a site preparation action plan is developed, and allowance amounts are assessed based on the plan. Additionally, your Builder will complete a lot inspection form to ensure all parties are aligned.
4. Second Selections Meeting
During this meeting, typically held at our Model Home’s Design Center, you’ll have the opportunity to review your floor plans, finalize your interior selections, and go over your kitchen design while choosing exterior colors. This crucial step ensures that all design elements are finalized and approved before we proceed with your preconstruction meeting.
5. Preconstruction Meeting
If you haven’t met your Builder already, you’ll meet him at the preconstruction meeting. He will be your partner and primary point of contact throughout the entire construction process. During your precon meeting, we’ll present a full set of updated plans for your review. After discussing the building process, your home’s design, and any necessary change orders, we submit change orders, finalize costs, and submit the plans to your lender. With this step complete, American Heritage Homes can move on to obtaining permits.
6. PermiTs
As your partner, American Heritage Homes compiles and submits the necessary permit applications on your behalf to ensure everything is in order before starting construction. However, if you would rather manage the permitting process yourself, you’re welcome to do so. Just let us know. There are times when you may have to do some of the permitting yourself – it all depends on the requirements in the county, city, municipality, or township you’re building in.
8. Lot Prep and Excavation
We begin by surveying and staking the lot and setbacks, followed by marking and protecting the septic leach fields. Erosion protection measures are then implemented to safeguard the site. You will be responsible for coordinating the removal of trees and clearing of the lot, as well as hiring a contractor to install the culverts and construction driveway. If you need help with this part of the site work, just let us know, and we can refer you to one of our partners who can provide you with a quote and do the work. Additionally, we mark utilities for OUPS protection, survey and stake the house location, and proceed with excavating the site.
7. Foundation and Framing
This part of the process includes preparing the footer and basement, pouring the walls, and applying GMX waterproofing before backfilling. Following this, framing is complete, and the roof, windows, and doors are installed. An electric walk with you and your builder is conducted during this step to discuss the location of light fixtures, outlets, etc.
8. Rough-Ins, Inspections, Concrete
Our team of trade partners will handle the HVAC installation, plumbing (including gas prefab and shower valves), electrical work (including the meter base), concrete pouring, and furnace setup. Inspections will occur during this process to verify that all work complies with local codes and regulations before the walls are closed.
9. Insulation, Drywall, and Siding
Insulation, followed by drywall and exterior siding installation, will take place. This part of the process also includes ensuring that the septic system and well are in place, as well as establishing permanent heat. Once the drywall is installed, we move on to priming the walls. If you’ve included a fireplace in your home, we will also begin preparing to install the fireplace face, depending on the material you selected.
10. Finish Carpentry and Trim
The finishing details come next, including cabinets, countertops and vanities, trim, doors, and stair parts.
11. Painting and Flooring
Once the carpentry work is finished, we paint the walls and trim and then install hard-surface flooring and tile showers (if applicable.)
12. Finishing Touches and Final Walk-Through
During this phase, we complete the final plumbing and electrical work, including installing light fixtures, shower doors, mirrors, and shelving. Trim punch out work and carpet installation are also finished.
After a thorough clean, you’ll have a formal walk-through of your new home with your American Heritage Homes team to ensure every detail meets your expectations. Following this, we will schedule final inspections, obtain your occupancy permit, and finalize any remaining paint touch-ups.
13. Move-In and Warranty
At American Heritage Homes, we provide a warranty packet along with manuals for all your home systems, including your HVAC system, water heater, thermostat, fireplace, etc. Once you have your keys, your custom built home is ready for you to enjoy!
How Long Does it Take?
The timeline for building your custom home with American Heritage Homes varies based on design, weather, and permits. As your committed partner throughout this journey, we will guide you at every step, ensuring your vision becomes a reality. We prioritize clear communication, keeping you informed and aligned with the process every step of the way.
Ready to begin building your custom home? Contact American Heritage Homes today!