Understanding the Phases of New Home Construction

Building your dream home from the ground up is one of the most rewarding experiences in real estate, but if you're new to it, the process can feel a bit mysterious.

When you buy a home that's being built from dirt, the journey unfolds in phases, and each one comes with its own timeline, inspections, and decisions. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect so you feel confident at every milestone.

1. Pre-Construction Phase

Before anything goes vertical, there's plenty going on behind the scenes.

• Finalize floorplan and structural options

• Design center selections (if available)

• Permits submitted to the city or county

• Lot is surveyed and utilities mapped

This stage can take 4–10 weeks, depending on permitting speed.

2. Foundation

Once permits are approved, the builder can break ground.

• Grading and excavation

• Footings poured

• Foundation walls poured and cured

• Plumbing rough-in begins

This is when you’ll see dirt turn into a real footprint. In Colorado, some foundations may require special engineering depending on soil conditions.

3. Framing

Your home finally starts to look like a house.

• Exterior and interior walls go up

• Roof trusses installed

• Windows and exterior doors set

• Framing inspection completed

This is often when the pre-drywall walkthrough happens — a chance for you to see the bones of your home and confirm wiring or plumbing placements.

4. Mechanical Systems

This stage is all about what goes inside your walls.

• HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems installed

• Low-voltage systems (like internet and cable) added

• Insulation placed after inspection

It’s one of the most important phases, even if it’s not the most glamorous.

5. Drywall & Interior Finishes

Here’s where things start to feel real.

• Drywall hung, taped, and textured

• Paint begins

• Cabinets and countertops installed

• Flooring laid

• Trim, doors, and hardware added

Each of these items is scheduled in order, and delays in one can impact the rest, especially if materials are backordered.

6. Final Touches

• Landscaping (if included)

• Final paint touchups

• Appliances installed

• Final cleaning

This is when you’ll do your final walkthrough, marking cosmetic issues, confirming systems are working, and noting anything the builder still needs to complete (also known as the “punch list”).

7. Closing & Move-In

After the final city inspection and Certificate of Occupancy is issued, you’re ready to close.

I’ll review the final settlement statement with you, confirm your builder’s warranty, and celebrate getting the keys to your brand-new home.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the construction phases helps reduce surprises and gives you a clear roadmap for what’s ahead. I’m here to walk with you every step, from dirt to design to done.

Want to know what stage your future home is in or when to plan for move-in? Let’s go over the timeline together.