What to expect
from construction
Here’s what is headed your way, and how to set yourself up for an easier process.
This guide was built in partnership with the AIA.
It was fact-checked by licensed professionals and building experts.
Consult a builder or architect for specifics to your situation.
First, Take a deep breath
This has been a helluva journey and you should be very proud of how much work and stress it’s taken to get here. You’ve made it through design, permitting, and financing, the hardest, most bureaucratic part - Now you’re finally moving into the stage where it all becomes real.
Breaking ground is exciting, but it’s also messy, loud, and sometimes emotional. Here’s what’s ahead, and how to keep it from feeling overwhelming.
1.
Secure your job site
A job site is a magnet for theft. Ask your contractor if they plan to put up fencing. If not, you’ll need to arrange it yourself. Make sure this is locked and coupled with motion activated lights and security cameras hidden out of sight.
TIPS:
Make sure the job site is fully fenced and locked.
Put up “No Trespassing, You Are Being Recorded” signs
Use solar powered lights with an alarm sound on them, if you have no power
Use trail cameras (which record to a memory card) since you won’t have wifi.
2.
It won’t look like a house for a while.
The first few months are all about invisible work - grading, foundation, plumbing trenches, framing, and rough wiring.
You’ll see a lot of dirt, rebar, and pipes before anything starts to resemble the drawings. That’s normal. Every build looks chaotic before it looks like progress.
Pro Tip
Take photos of everything (each wall/ceiling in each room, outside utility trenches) at every stage even if you think the work or progress looks innocuous. They help later if there’s a dispute or warranty question - and it’s amazing to see how far you’ve come.
3.
Expect noise, dust, and daily change
Even with a great builder, the site will be full of activity.
Subcontractors come and go, materials arrive in waves, and communication can feel scattered. It’s the job of the GC to orchestrate all of this activity, so don’t feel responsible for organizing activity on the job site.
Stay patient and focused on milestones, not the day-to-day chaos.
What to ask for:
Short weekly updates, even a two-sentence email or photo summary from your builder can keep you in the loop without constant stress. If you have an architect on board for construction administration, they should provide weekly updates with their own photos and observations to demonstrate that they are checking the work for alignment with your design.
“At the end of the day, no one knows your future home better than you. If you have the time to visit the project site frequently, your eyes will also catch things that are important to you that your architect or project manager may not be as focused on.”
- Jessica Orlando, Vice President, AIA
Pro Tip:
“Either you, your architect or your project manager should keep a living document listing action items/corrections so your contractor does not drop the ball on any small or large details.”
- Jodie Mendelson, Project Manager, AIA
4.
Inspections will happen often
Before each phase moves forward, the county or city will inspect the work:
Foundation,
Framing
Electrical
Plumbing & insulation
Final.
Don’t be alarmed if they find small issues; that’s literally their job. Your builder must fix them before the next phase.
“It’s the responsibility of the GC to coordinate all inspections and to ensure compliance with their requirements–they have to deliver a final product that is in compliance with the design and inspections. You can be as involved in these as you want–let your GC know if you want to be there for inspections, or if you want them to handle and report back to you”
- Jodie Mendelson, Project Manager, AIA
Keep copies of all sign-off sheets: You’ll need them later for your occupancy certificate and insurance.
5.
Change orders may pop up - choose them wisely
Once construction starts, it’s tempting to tweak things, just don’t forget that every “small” change (tile, window, fixture) adds cost and time.
Weigh whether the change is dear to your heart, improves safety, function, or long-term comfort against how much it will cost.
“Keep in mind that you will need funds to pay for change orders outside of your control–sometimes a product cost may go up based on your initial selection, and the GC will need additional funds if you want to keep the same product, for example. Ideally, you will have a contingency built in the budget to pay for these type of things, but make sure you don’t spend your contingency or any extra funds you may have only on “wish list” items, you need to conserve funds for items that you can’t foresee at the beginning as well.”
- Jessica Orlando, California Licensed Architect & Vice President, AIA
TIP
Make sure you get all change order costs in writing, and that the work is spelled out explicitly. Work on any change should not start until you have a change order signed–this is now a part of your contract and legally binding.
6.
there will be quiet stretches, then sudden bursts
You might go a week where nothing seems to happen, then suddenly ten trades show up at once. Delays can be weather, inspections, or back-ordered materials, not necessarily a bad sign.
Pro Tip
Ask for a revised timeline every month. Small delays are normal; silence isn’t.
7.
You’ll start to feel ownership again
Watching your home rise from the ground is emotional. Many survivors describe this stage as when hope starts to feel real again.
Celebrate the small wins: framing up, drywall going in, that first door installed.
TIP
Document the milestone moments. You’ll thank yourself later.
8.
The final stretch Can Take A While
The last 10% (paint, trim, flooring, fixtures) can take what feels like forever. Don’t rush it.
Final inspections, punch lists, and cleaning all need to be done carefully to avoid costly rework.
Pro TIPs
from the field:
Walk the site weekly, but don’t interrupt crews while they’re working
Keep all communication in writing and respect the chain of command from the contractor to their subcontractors
Don’t be a Karen - Having issues or complaints is normal, but ask questions before assuming negligence.
Don’t be a doormat - Trust your gut on whether you’re being given the runaround when you ask questions about things that look like mistakes.
Bring coffee or donuts once in a while - good crews remember good clients.
Be nice to everyone on the job site - Not just the GC