A Quick Guide to Building Your Own Home

1. A Quick Guide to Building Your Own Home

2. While building your own home can be a fantastic idea, there are few individuals who are capable of doing so without the project becoming a disaster, as they’re simply not qualified or experienced to act as their own general contractor, or GC. Hence, for most, it makes sense to hire a professional, licensed contractor. That said, should you decide to act as your own contractor, you may be able to do so depending upon where you live (the rules vary from state to state), and you will become what’s known as an owner-builder. To contract out for such a project, you’ll need to apply for an owner-builder exemption and sign the building permit application yourself.

3. Building your own home There are a lot of things to take into account when building your own home, and such a project should never be undertaken without giving careful consideration to the following: • The scheduling and coordinating of projects and subcontractorsto ensure that work can commence in the appropriate order • Adherence to building codes • The carrying out of municipal inspections • Having a reliable, trustworthy network of contractors or general contractor

4. Preparing the home site Once you’ve decided whether to build your own home or use a general contractor, the following work must commence: • Clear the building site down to ground level and at least 25 feet around the perimeter of your planned house • Based upon the original plot drawings indicating the house’s boundaries, a qualified surveyor will stake out the lot If building your own home, you’ll likely need help with the following steps:

5. Pouring the footings and foundation The next step in the home building process is carried out by professional excavation contractors and foundation specialists, in which the cement for the footings and foundation will be poured. Pouring the concrete slab Frame, side and roof the house Install the plumbing and electrical systems This work should always be carried out by qualified professionals.

6. Hanging the drywall and installing trim Painting the walls and performing finishing work Many choose to save money on aspects of building their own home, by carrying out their own painting and finishing work. Install the flooring Finish the exterior landscaping According to your skill and energy levels, you could save money by doing this yourself. Otherwise, a professional landscaping company can design and install the landscape of your choice.

7. Arrange for final inspections This is an important element of any construction project, and should never be skipped. If working with a general contractor, they will ensure that this is carried out as and when necessary, and it’s also important that you carry out a final walk through if using a contractor, to make sure that any issues or concerns you may have can be discussed before any final payments are made. While building your own home is of course a lot more complex, and problems can arise at any time, the above guide should give you a general idea of what’s entailed with a home construction project, and might help you decide whether to go it alone, or use the services of a professional general contractor.

8. RZ Construction Group Inc is a fully inclusive and one of the best general contractors in Queens NY. From initial design to final clean up, our results speak for themselves. We are fully licensed, insured, and bonded to provide both commercial and residential construction services to customers in Astoria and the surrounding area. Proud to serve New York State for 25 years. No job is too small nor too big. If you are looking for home addition contractors in Astoria NY or want to know more about our wide range of professional but affordable construction and repair services, reach out to us at (718) 938-9887.