Building Process

A building site can make or break a construction project. In this lesson, we’ll cover:

• Topography

• Site access and road construction

• Utilities

• Views

• Solar orientation

Local zoning and building codes provide guidelines for land and building development. We’ll cover general intent and application of both.

The permitting process is intended to ensure industry professionals design and build in accordance with local regulations enacted to protect the public. The process consists of two primary parts:

• Permit submittal, review, and approval

• Site inspections

A site’s location, complexity, and jurisdiction determine the makeup of your team. A steep ocean front property in Washington state’s San Juan Islands for example, often requires all of the consultants listed below. We’ll discuss what they do and their respective drawings and reports.

• Architect | Building Designer

• Structural Engineer

• Civil Engineer

• Geotechnical Engineer

• Archeologist

• Wetlands Biologist

• Arborist

• Interior Designer | Decorator

We’ll discuss the work required to develop a piece of raw land into a building site.

• Site plan

• Site clearing

• Rough grading & access drive

• Utilities

• Building pad

How do I know which foundation system to use? We’ll learn how the following factors influence this decision as well as the various components and construction processes.

• Building Codes

• Topography

• Soil composition

• Micro Environment

In this step, the building begins to take three dimensional shape. We’ll review the assemblies listed below and how they relate to what comes next.

• Floors

• Walls

• Roof

Getting the roof installed is the first step in getting a building ‘dried-in’. Once on, the framing can begin to dry and the interior utility work can begin. We’ll discuss roof components and assembly processes.

• Flashing

• Vapor barrier

• Roofing materials

With roofing on, exterior walls can be prepared to receive siding, trim, windows and doors.

• Vapor barrier

• Flashing window & door openings

• Window & door installation

Installing trim before rather than after siding helps provide the best defense against water intrusion and pests. We’ll discuss:

• Material options

• Window & door trim

• Corner trim

• ‘Belly’ bands & other miscellaneous trim

Planning and employing open web floor & roof trusses are the key to making this process efficient. We’ll discuss why in relation to each of the following:

• Main supply & waste lines

• Water heater

• Hot & cold water distribution lines

• Waste line traps & vents

• System drain

As was true with plumbing, a bit of advance planning and utilizing open web floor and roof trusses also makes this process more efficient. Primary components here are:

• Electrical plan

• Main supply line

• Electrical panel

• Ground

• Circuit wiring

• Junction, switch, light and fixture boxes

Utility trades are often on-site at the same time and roof, wall, and floor cavity spaces fill quickly. Especially for projects with ducted HVAC systems (heating ventilating and air conditioning). Open web floor and roof trusses provide pre-prepared routing options that eliminate the need to drill access holes in the field. Which saves time and protects again inadvertent structural compromise. In this section, we’ll cover:

• Heating & air conditioning systems

• Whole house and room exhaust fans

Once structure is dry and framing and utility inspections are complete, interior walls can be insulated and covered with drywall. In this section, we’ll address:

• ‘Drying out’ process

• Caulking exterior wall penetrations

• Ventilation

• Insulation materials & installation

• Exterior wall insulation

Cabinets can be custom made by local craftspeople or multinational companies like IKEA. Same with countertops. In both instances, the project’s on-site general contractor typically coordinates ordering, shipping and installation.

Picking materials that look good and meet budgetary and functional needs can be tricky. We’ll address the pros and cons of the following options:

• Wood & engineered wood

• Tile

• Carpet

• Concrete

• Synthetic

Proper installation of interior doors and trim requires the skill and experience of a finish sub-contractor. In this session we’ll discuss:

• Interior doors and hardware

• Door & window trim

• Base & accent trim

The skill and experience of the sub-contractors who apply these finishes can be as or more important than the materials themselves. In this lesson we’ll review:

• Exterior paint & stain

• Interior paint & stain

The general contractor typically installs appliances and coordinates plumbing and electrical sub-contractors for the installation of their respective fixtures. We’ll outline the following:

• Appliances

• Plumbing fixtures

• Electrical fixtures

• Low voltage systems (smart-home and security systems, audio-video systems, etc.)

Before the final building inspection, the project team tours and prepares a ‘punch'-list of outstanding items. Once functional issues are resolved, contractor can request final inspection. If all goes well, inspector issues an ‘occupancy permit’. Here, we’ll discuss:

• Final walk-through & punch-list

• Final inspection & certificate of occupancy