Experience Homes

You made it! We are now in month six – the final month of what to expect when building a home. All of the big projects are finished and we are left with a few minor details. Last month we talked about installing cabinets, flooring, and garage doors. Now we will be adding in the finishing touches.

After tile and cabinets have been installed, it is time to pick out countertops and backsplashes for your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and any other parts of the house that need it. When choosing countertops, granite is usually the top choice. It is available in a variety of shades such as; blacks, whites, greens, corals and beiges, and no two pieces are exactly the same. Granite is available in two finishes. A polished finish results in a shiny look and often darkens the appearance of the stone, while honing is soft and matte. It is important to consider the cost for granite, because depending on many variables, including color, finish and origin of the stone; it can get a little pricey. While this is all happening, the trim is being finalized and doors are being put into place.

We initiated plumbing and electrical work in month 4, but now we will finalize it all. Installing plumbing for the toilets, showers/baths, water heater, and sinks takes place before the final electrical wiring. And although there are many interior plumbing projects to tackle, we also finish the plumbing for the outside sprinkler system. Once all the water works are finished, we can move on to the electrical portion. Any interior light fixtures will be wired as well as wiring for the dishwasher, garbage disposal, porch lighting, and the outside electrical unit.

The last finishing touches include adding in the carpet and paint touch-ups. Carpet is always done last because workers will constantly be in and out, so installing it last will keep it from getting dirty. Paint touch ups are also towards the end because when installing carpet, there is a chance the bottom wall trim will get scratched from the tools. All exterior finishing touches, fencing and back/front porch work, is finalized at this time too.

To conclude the process, the home builder and the inspection team do a final quality walk-through before bringing in the customer for their final look. Building a home is a long process, but we want to give you the best Experience when doing so. This last month is full of emotions and excitement knowing that soon, you will finally be moving in to your brand new home.

Experience Homes in Amarillo, Texas is a quality home builder ready to build you the home of your dreams. Contact us today to get started!

To build a home is an exciting process, especially when you get to month five. Your home is finally starting to take its shape and you can start imagining how the finish product is going to look. Last month we went through what is called the “rough-end” process. This includes: electrical, plumbing, and insulation being installed, and drywall being hung. After passing the inspection, the fun begins.

One of the first things to happen is we will hang the garage doors. About this time is when the exterior of your home is starting to come together. The brick is fully done and any stonework is being finished up. Once all of the bricking and stoning is finished, it is time to start prepping for the plumbing and drainage system in your front yard. Depending on weather delays, this part may take a while. But luckily, the weather will have no effect on what is going on in the interior of your home.

Last month, they finished up drywall which means this month we can start tile work. This is part of the exciting creative process because you are finally getting the kitchen design and spa bathroom that you’ve always wanted. Tile work can include anything like; showers, bathtubs, kitchen floors, and backsplashes. Incorporating tile doesn’t have to just be limited to bathroom or kitchen though; it can be placed in any room to add uniqueness to your home.

Installing cabinets is the next exciting step. You can design and customize them with full extension roll-out shelves, large drawers in base cabinets, hidden pull-out trash bins, wine racks or china displays. You can get as creative as you want because it’s your house. After all tiling and cabinetry is finished, painters will come in and start the trim and crown molding.There is so much excitement to building a new home. Many decisions and a lot of creativity take place in the process to make it the perfect home for you. We can make your dreams a reality and help build you your dream house. Call us today to learn more about how to build a home. Check back in February for month 6 of the home building process!

Building a new construction home is a journey and if you pick the right construction company it can be an extremely fun and fulfilling process. That’s why it is so important to us at Experience Homes to make the home building process a positive experience. Building a new home from the ground up doesn’t have to be intimidating, so we are giving you a month-by-month roadmap of the building journey. Last month we walked you through constructing the basic skeleton of your new home. The framework is up and your new home is actually starting to look like a home now!

By this time in the process the sheet rock and exterior brick has been delivered and any duct or electrical work that was not completed during the last month will be in place during this time period. Work is also beginning on the interior insulation. We select insulation that is rated for its thermal performance or R-value, which is an indicator of how well the material resists heat transfer. This is also the time where much of the sealing and caulking work is taking place.

Once all the electrical, plumbing, ductwork, and insulation has been installed and thoroughly inspected it is time to begin putting up the sheet rock also known as drywall and the interior textures. First, the drywall is hung throughout the structure. This is the time where the house really starts taking on the shape of a home. Rooms are separated and divided and you can see the visual effect of each and every space in the house. After the drywall is hung, it is taped so that the seams between the boards are no longer visible. Depending on preferences, any drywall texturing that needs to be done will also take place during this time. A primer coat of paint will be applied to the drywall once all the taping work is complete.

While there is a lot of work going on inside your new home, the exterior is also undergoing a transformation of its own. Depending on the weather now is about the time that work is ramping up on exterior finishes like brick or stone. Work may be taking place on the driveways, patios, and walkways as well.

Owning a new home doesn’t have to be out of your reach. There are so many more options than ever before when it comes to financing and designing the home you have always dreamed of for your family. We can help you find financing and even trade-in your old home towards a brand new construction home. There is no hassle, no pressure, no realtors and no hidden fees! Are you ready to consider your new home construction options? Come explore your options with us and be sure to check back in January for month 5 of the home building process!

Building a new home from the ground up doesn’t have to be an intimidating process, in fact it is a journey that can yield some amazing results and give you a home in which to build a lifetime of memories. That is, if you choose the right builder for your needs. At Experience Homes we want you to have a positive home building experience and are offering this roadmap through the entire home building process. Last month was all about building a solid foundation… and then waiting for it to cure. This month, with the slab poured and set we can start work laying out the skeleton of your new home.

With the slab in place and properly cured and the lumber delivered we can begin the process of framing the house. Work begins on the floors, walls, and roof creating the basic framework of the project. As the framing of the house progresses you will start to see the layout of your home unfold. At this stage of the process it is important to remember not to panic! A number of people will look at their home at this stage and think the house seems too small, it’s not, it’s just an illusion.

Next, plywood or sheathing is added to the exterior walls. Depending on the climate and time of year that construction is taking place, that sheathing may be covered with a protective barrier in order to seal off the elements from the interior structures of the home. This helps prevent water damage, mold, and rot. Work will also be starting on the roof, windows, and exterior doors.

Next the “heart and lungs” of the house are installed, meaning the heating and cooling systems. The ductworks for these systems are being put in place and HVAC vent pipes are installed through the roof. That’s not the only major change happening inside your new home, plumbing lines and electrical systems are also being worked on at this time. Teams are laying pipes and running wires through the interior walls, ceilings, and floors. Work is also being done on sewer lines, vents, and other water supply lines for fixtures.

During this time an electrician may also begin installing the receptacles for outlets, and running wires from the breaker panel to each receptacle. Wiring for telephones and cable TV may also be taking place.

Keep in mind that throughout this process inspections will be commonplace so the city or county in which the home is being built can ensure that all work is up to code. Rough framing, plumbing, and electrical systems must all be inspected for compliance.

The guts of the home are really starting to take shape at this point and your home is starting to look a little more like a house, rather than just a plot of land with some concrete on top of it!

The dream of homeownership doesn’t have to stay a dream, it can be a reality that we can help you achieve. There are now more options than ever before designed to help growing families get into a new home. We can help you find financing and even trade-in your old home towards a brand new construction home. No hassle, no pressure, no realtors or hidden fees. Come explore your options with us and be sure to check back in December for month 4 of the home building process!

To build a house from the ground up can seem like an overwhelming prospect. Experience Homes prides itself on making the process an easy and positive one. That’s why we are providing you with a roadmap through the entire home building experience. The first month of the process is all about decisions! You’ve made the decision to build, we’ve worked together to pick your floor plan and plot, and we’ve even laid out the upgrades and finishes. Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get down and dirty. Month 2 is typically construction time!

Once all of the details have been finalized the basic construction work can begin. The first order of business is preparing the site of your choice. The site is cleared of any rocks or debris and then leveled in preparation for the pad to built and concrete laid out. Sewer pipe and electrical conduits also have to be put in place before the concrete is poured.

Next comes the pouring of the slab. The slab is a concrete pad that is poured directly on the ground. This type of foundation works great on level sites and in warmer climates. Embedded into the concrete is a wire mesh and steel reinforcing bar. One of the most time consuming aspects of this step is allowing adequate time for the concrete to cure and reach 100% of its strength. The length of the curing process depends on a number of different factors including the concrete mix, water content, and temperature.

As much as we wish we could control Mother Nature, we can’t. The weather significantly impacts when concrete can be poured and how long it will take to cure. The foundation has to have the strength to carry the weight of your house, that’s why we don’t take short cuts. While this may be a time consuming process, that doesn’t mean work has halted on your new home.

As we allow time to let the concrete foundation fully cure we will continue working with you to design your dream. During this time a number of deliveries will be made, such as lumbar, in preparation for the next step of framing the house.

Owning a new home is not out of reach, give us a call and we can work with you to make your dreams of owning a new home a reality. There are many options open to people who are looking to grow into a new home. We can help you find financing and even trade-in your old home towards a brand new construction home. There are possibilities and we can help you explore them all! Check back in November for month 3 of the home building process!

We get a number of questions from people asking what the steps to building a house look like over the course of 6 months. It can be a daunting task thinking about building a home from the ground up. That’s why we want to provide you with a roadmap through the entire home building process. This guide will shed light on what to expect from the moment you walk through our doors until the keys to your new home are in your hands.

STEP 1 – CONTACT

So you’re thinking of building a new home? That’s great! You’ve made one of the hardest decisions already. Once you make the decision to build your new home instead of buying used, you’ll start the process of finding the right builder for your needs. That’s where we come in. From the moment you reach out to us we want you to have a positive experience. During our initial consultation we will be asking you a lot of questions. We aren’t building you a house, we are helping you craft a home. We want to talk to you about what you are looking for and what your families’ needs are. Some people have very black and white ideas about what they want their home to look like. They come with pictures or Pinterest articles and color swatches. Other people come to us with more abstract ideas and basic concepts. There is no right or wrong answer. Brainstorming ideas with you gives us all the pieces we need in order to put together a complete vision of your new home.

STEP 2 – DECISIONS

Once you’ve made the decision to move forward with a new build we work with you to find the best financing solution for your needs. There are many financing options to consider when building a new home, one of them is our home trade-in program. This program allows us to purchase your current home on the same day that you buy a new construction home. Leave the details to us, we take care of having your existing home appraised which means you don’t pay for the appraisal now and you won’t have to pay realtor fees down the road.

There are a number of people who are unhappy with their current home, but are even unhappier thinking about the prospect of having to sell that home to get into a new one! We can remove that burden from your shoulders.

After you have selected the financing option that works for you, we will begin drafting house plans, estimating costs, and creating your building contract. Our hands on approach means that we will walk you through the numbers, plans, and lot selection, keeping you informed every step of the way.

It is also during this time period that we begin working with you on the details of your upcoming project. You will be able to choose the upgrades and finishes you want and better solidify the conceptual ideas we talked about during the initial consultation meeting. By laying this information out well in advance we are able to order the materials needed to customize your home in a timely manner. Making these choices early also means that there are no hidden surprises when it comes to cost.

We coordinate all the necessary tasks to get your home underway as soon as possible. You are always kept up to date and well informed. A home is very personal, that’s why we strive to keep the experience of building a home very personal as well.

STEP 3 – YOU’RE READY!

Are you ready to consider your new home construction options? Owning a new home is not out of reach, give us a call and we can work with you to make your dreams of owning a new home a reality. Check back in October for month 2 of the home building process!