To gain better knowledge about how your home will be built, it is often beneficial to know the stages, or phases, in which a new home must pass. You will frequently hear about the "5 Stages of Construction" or the "10 Stages of Construction" prior to, and during the building process of your home.In all actuality, there could be many more stages of construction, depending on the level of detail someone is using to depict the stages.This information should generally be divulged to you from both your sales person, before or during contract, and your builder at the pre-construction meeting.Almost all home builders today have their own "construction process" detailed in a "Homeowners Manual" which is given at time of contract.Please be aware that numerous stages will run simultaneously, meaning that they will be occur at the same time.Below is a brief outline for both the 5 and 10 Stages of Construction and should not be confused with an actual Construction Schedule.This is solely intended to assist home buyers in learning more about the "Stages" or "Phases" pertaining to building a new home.For more specific information, be sure to check with your builder, municipal governing authorities, and all applicable laws, regulations, statutes, and codes applicable to your area.

Stage I – Foundation Stage

  1. Site Survey
  2. Excavation and pad leveling.
  3. Foundation pinned and framed.
  4. Underground utilities installed.
  5. Sewer or septic lines and plumbing rough installed.
  6. Vapor barrier installed.
  7. Municipal Inspection.
  8. Foundation poured.
  9. Form boards removed.

Stage II – Framing Stage

  1. Frame all walls and trusses.
  2. Frame and install roof and roof sheathing
  3. Rough grade

Stage III – Roofing Stage

  1. Install exterior sheathing.
  2. Install deck, and shingles/roofing system.
  3. Install all windows and exterior doors.
  4. Install cornice.

Stage IV – Pre-Sheetrock Stage

  1. Begin installation of exterior finish (masonry, wood, ect.).
  2. Rough-in plumbing; water and waste vent piping.
  3. Rough-in mechanical systems; venting and furnace installation.
  4. Rough-in wiring and electrical.
  5. Install HVAC and plumbing system.
  6. Install water heater.
  7. Municipal inspections for mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and frame.

Stage V – Sheetrock Stage

  1. Install wall insulation.
  2. Install sheetrock.
  3. Install tape and texture;apply wall and ceiling textures.
  4. Sheetrock nail/screw inspection (if applicable).

Stage VI – Interior Trim Stage

  1. Install all interior door and moldings.
  2. Install staircase balusters and railings (if applicable).

Stage VII – Painting, Cabinets, and Countertops Stage

  1. Paint installation (interior).
  2. All cabinetry installed.
  3. All countertops installed.
  4. All wall tile installed.
  5. Install all mirror and shower enclosures.

Stage VIII – Flooring Stage

  1. Install finish electrical.
  2. Install finsih plumbing.
  3. Install finish mechanical.
  4. HVAC installed and tested.
  5. Install all flooring.
  6. Install appliances.
  7. Install flatwork (driveways, sidewalks, patios, A/C pads, ect.).
  8. Final mechanical, plumbing, electrical municipal inspections.
  9. Gutters installed.
  10. Exterior paint finish.
  11. Municipal "Certificate of Occupancy" issed.

Stage IX – Quality Assurance Stage

  1. Ceiling insulation installed.
  2. Final grade and landscaping installed.
  3. Hardware installed.
  4. Wallpaper installed (if necessary).
  5. Builder's Quality Assurance Inspection.
  6. Punch list development.
  7. Final cleaning.
  8. Buyer walk-through.

Stage X – Buyer Acceptance Stage

  1. Completion of Punch List items.
  2. Final Buyers walk-through.
  3. Contract items installation review.
  4. New home orientation.


5 Stages of Construction

Stage 1: Foundation Stage -
This includes excavation, footings, foundation walls (or slab), waterproofing, backfill and compaction, and underground plumbing. Municipal inspections are typically performed on the foundation (prior to pouring) and underground plumbing. In some areas an engineer can inspect and sign off on the foundation in lieu of municipal inspection.

Stage 2: Framing Stage -
This includes wood or steel framing, exterior wall and roof sheathing, exterior trim and siding (and/or stucco/brick), windows and exterior doors, and roofing. Municipal inspections are typically performed on the rough framing. Some municipalities inspect the roofing.

Stage 3: Rough Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical Stage - This includes water and waste/vent piping, plus setting of the water heater; ductwork, venting and furnace installation; wiring and electrical panel installation. Municipal inspections are typically performed on all three.

Stage 4: Insulation and Drywall Stage -
This includes wall insulation, (but not attic insulation at this time), drywall installation, tape and texture. This stage cannot begin till the rough stage inspections are passed. Many municipalities do not inspect the insulation but rely on the contractors "certification" of installation. Many municipalities have a drywall nail/screw inspection prior to tape and texture.

Stage 5: Paint, Trim, Finishes Stage - This includes finished flooring, cabinets, countertops, wall tile, mirrors, shower doors, final electrical (including fixtures), final plumbing (including fixtures), and final mechanical. Municipal inspections are performed on the final electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. When these inspections are passed, the municipality then typically performs a "Final Inspection." This is usually call this a "FINAL-final inspection" toavoid confusion. Based on this "Final" inspection the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is typical issued.