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We would like to point out a couple of items which are unique
to the construction industry before getting into the specific
details of the construction schedule for your new home.
First, we invite you to visit the job site to review and
inspect the construction phases of your home. With our invitation,
however, comes a reminder about safety. While your home is
under construction, it is a potentially dangerous place.
Please heed the following safety warnings:
- First and foremost, due to potential hazards, we strongly
discourage bringing children to the job site. If absolutely
necessary, please provide constant supervision.
- When visiting the job site, the use of personal protective
equipment is required. We recommend such items as hard-soled
boots or shoes, a hard hat (during working hours) and eye
protection, etc.
- Always be watchful for hazards at your feet, such as
openings in the floor and exposed nails.
- OSHA regulations are in effect at all times. These regulations
apply to our customers as well as our subcontractors.
Second, we provide our homeowners with a construction timeline
and an estimated completion date. The accuracy of the timeline
is dependent upon many factors, some of which we have more
control over than others. Factors over which we have very
little control over include:
- Weather
- Unforeseen building conditions (i.e. unsuitable soil
conditions, etc.)
- Timeliness of customer selections
- Building permit review process
- Material availability
- Change orders, especially after construction has begun
Notwithstanding the factors above, we have a reasonable
ability to control the scheduling and completion of your
new home. Despite our scheduling efforts, you may notice
periods of inactivity during the construction of your home.
We realize this can be very frustrating at times, we ask
that you be patient. Generally, delays are caused by inconsistencies
of subcontractor schedules, and they normally do not affect
the final completion date of your home. If a factor arises
that will delay the completion date, the homeowner will be
notified immediately.
Atkins Family Builders construction process has nine significant
phases, which include “crucial” and “glide” procedures.
Crucial procedures must be completed prior to commencing
the next phase. Glide procedures are vital to the construction
of the home, but they will not prevent the next phase from
commencing.
PHASE I. EXCAVATION AND FOOTING
All steps crucial.
- Preparation of the site plan and staking the home on
the lot.
- Strip the topsoil and excavate for the foundation.
- Pour the footing
- Install the drain tile system and place gravel inside
and outside of footin
PHASE II. FOUNDATION, BACKFILL, AND INTERIOR FLATWORK
- Form, place, and strip the foundation -- crucial.
- Set wood beams and columns or bearing walls under the
first floor -- crucial.
- Install the rough plumbing in basement -- glide.
- Waterproof the foundation walls -- crucial.
- Place gravel around foundation walls -- crucial.
- Backfill the foundation walls -- crucial.
- Form, place and finish the interior floor slabs -- glide.
The total time frame from when we start your home until
this point is usually 3 to 4 weeks.
PHASE III. FRAMING
All steps crucial.
- Manufacture roof trusses and deliver to the job site.
- Deliver framing materials, frame the home.
- Deliver and install doors, windows and stairs.
- Install the shingles -- dry in the home.
The total time frame to this point should be around 8 to
10 weeks. After installation of shingles, the weather becomes
a much less factor in determining the completion date.
PHASE IV. MECHANICALS (ROUGH)
This phase of construction is very important, because the
positioning of the mechanics is final. Mechanical installations
will be installed in accordance with the homeowner-approved
building plan, cabinet layout and electrical diagrams.
- HVAC -- installation of all ductwork and furnace -- crucial.
- Plumbing -- installation of waste/supply lines, tubs/showers
-- crucial.
- Electrical -- installation of electrical wiring -- crucial.
You will need to participate in planning the roughing in
the wiring of your home. Please allow 2-3 hours one morning
during this phase. You will be contacted regarding the
appropriate time
- Home automation systems -- sound, security, intercom,
etc. -- crucial.
- Insulation of exterior walls -- crucial.
- Stocking, installation and finishing of plasterboard
material -- crucial.
- Exterior brickwork -- glide.
- Exterior utility lines installed. -- glide.
The total time frame to this point should be around 9 to
12 weeks. At this time we will provide you with a completion
date. Generally, the home’s completion date should
be 6-8 weeks after the drywall is finished!
PHASE V. EXTERIOR
- Finish the exterior brickwork, and clean -- crucial.
- Rough grade the yard -- crucial.
- Exterior Concrete work -- glide.
- Install the insulation in the attic -- glide.
- Install the garage door -- crucial.
- Have the house weather proof -- crucial.
PHASE VI. FINISH TRIM
- First coat of paint on walls -- crucial.
- Ceramic tile, hardwood, and/or vinyl flooring installation
-- crucial.
- Deliver and install interior trim items: cabinets, tops,
trim, appliances, railings, etc. -- crucial.
- Acquire utility meters -- glide.
The total time to date should be around 16-18 weeks.
PHASE VII. MECHANICS (FINAL)
- HVAC -- set exterior unit, grilles, and thermostat, activate
the system -- crucial.
- Plumbing -- install faucets and toilets, activate water
service -- crucial.
- Electrical -- install lighting fixtures, receptacles,
and switches -- crucial.
- Punch-out and rough clean for carpet installation -- crucial.
- Second coat of paint and paint trim -- crucial.
- Exterior painting and caulking -- glide.
PHASE VIII. FINISH FLOORING & PUNCH OUT
All steps crucial.
- Install the carpet.
- Punch-out and fine tune.
- Paint touch-up.
- Clean your home.
- Install screens and adjust all windows.
- Apply final coat on hardwood flooring is applicable
- Final inspections with town, village or city.
The total time to date for the whole project should be around
18- 20 weeks.
PHASE IX. COMPLETION & CLOSING
Congratulations on the completion of your new Atkins Family
Builders Home! We know that you will be pleased with your
new home, and that it will provide you with many trouble-free
years of security and pleasure!
You can further enhance the performance of your new home,
and your level of satisfaction, by performing routine maintenance
on your home at regular intervals. The first step in the
maintenance process begins with the walk through, or Homeowner’s
Orientation Meeting. This meeting has two purposes.
First, we want you to become familiar with your new home.
All of the mechanical systems and other features of your
home will be discussed during this meeting. Maintenance tips
will also be reviewed. All warranty papers and instruction
manuals will be left in a kitchen drawer for your reference.
Please remember to fill out and mail all warranty cards immediately.
Second, we need to document any punch out items remaining
on your new home. It is possible that, in working with you
to coordinate a move in date, some minor items may still
be incomplete upon occupancy. At the end of the orientation,
we will also agree to a timeline during which all of the
open items on the list will be completed.
CLOSING!
This is the most important and exciting phase. You close
on your home, take ownership and your limited warranty period
will commence. At this time we will give you the keys to
your home, you can move in and start enjoying many wonderful
years in your new home custom built just for you! |
