Conclusion of Stages

This concludes the series on the different stages of construction. If you missed any posts, please review them here.

Once all construction is finished, the homebuyer receives an orientation about their new home. Warranty information is explained and all of the home’s features are described and illustrated so that homebuyers become familiar with their home.

The orientation allows us to explain the feature and functions of your home. If there are any items that need correction they will be documented at this orientation for correction. The orientation is also an opportunity to review important manufacturer warranty and maintenance information.

Orientations are typically scheduled for 8:00 am and 2:00 pm Monday through Friday. There are three to five business days between the Orientation and the close of escrow/key release date.

Typically, the title appointment is scheduled the same day as the orientation. It is a good idea to call two working days before your title company appointment to make sure your lender has the loan documents and any funding conditions to the title company. The following items are required at this appointment:  A Cashier’s Check for the Balance Due, and Proper identification as well as any documentation required by your lender as a funding condition. Be advised that it may take a couple of days to fund and record.  It’s best to plan on leaving a couple of days open just in case there is a problem.

Today continues a series about the stages of construction. Our goal is to help you understand the stages of construction, learn about how we do things and what you can expect during each stage. In this series, we have covered 7 additional stages of construction. To see the previous stages of construction, click here.

During this stage, the carpet is installed and the home is cleaned in preparation for the homebuyer orientation and final inspection by the local municipality building & safety inspector. The lot has a final raking and the grade certification is completed. This certification is provided by an independent survey company. Any final questions and problems are also addressed at this time.

All finished surfaces are cleaned prior to pre-carpet paint touch-up. This includes windows, tubs, cabinets, tile, mirrors and counter-tops. Most paint touch-up is done prior to carpet installation, but a final touch-up is always needed after carpet.

A Fulton Homes Construction Manager or Area Manager assures each home meets Fulton Homes Quality standards prior to installation of flooring. At this time, the home should be nearing completion except for the flooring and appliances. Any items found during this quality assurance inspection will be addressed before move in.

You will have a pre-orientation meeting to confirm options and address any concerns.

A final inspection for certificate of occupancy is performed by the local municipality building & safety inspector.

Floor covering installations is one of the last things to be done on the home. Minor floor preparation is done prior to floor coverings installation.

The Fulton Homes Detail Technician is utilized to put the finishing touches on the home prior to the orientation. The Fulton Homes Detail Technician is also required to accompany the Orientation Specialist during the orientation, to take care of any minor adjustments necessary.

The appliances will be installed the day of Close of Escrow. It is company policy not to install appliances until at this time due to theft and insurance issues!

We hope this helps you further understand the different stages of construction.

Today continues a series about the stages of construction. Our goal is to help you understand the stages of construction, learn about how we do things and what you can expect during each stage. In this series, we will cover 1 additional stage of construction. To see the previous stages of construction, click here.

In Stage 7, the final coat of stucco is applied to the home and readied for exterior painting, the fences are installed, the final grading is completed, the roof is finished and the exterior of the home is completed then painted. The mirror and shower doors are also installed at this time. Towards the end of this stage is the completion of flatwork and interior & exterior trims; this includes plumbing trims & fixtures, HVAC adjustments and electrical trims & fixtures.

Stucco is applied in two applications, a base coat, sometimes called a brown coat, and a finish or texture coat. The exterior paint is applied after the stucco system has cured.

Stucco is susceptible to cracking due to expansion and contraction. Cracks should be expected during the lifetime of the home due to fluctuating temperatures. This is normal and does not reduce the function of the stucco in any way. Your Limited Warranty does not cover normal hairline cracks in stucco. The white, powdery substance that sometimes accumulates on stucco surfaces is called efflorescence. This is a natural phenomenon and cannot be prevented. Consult your home center or hardware store for commercial products to remove efflorescence.

The plumbing trim includes the water heater, tubs, toilets, shower valves, sinks, faucets and garbage disposal. Installation of these items is scheduled after the tile and countertops are installed. Electrical, HVAC, and low voltage trims can begin as soon as the interior paint is done. All finish trims are completed prior to installation of hardwood or carpet.

Drywall touch-up is scheduled to take place after all finish trims are complete. Drywall damage of some sort is inevitable throughout the course of construction.

Fence footers are installed and the masonry fence block is installed. Please be advised that fence heights will vary depending on your lot and neighboring lot elevation changes.

At the exterior of the home, the final grade will be cut once all of the flatwork is complete, scaffolding is removed, masonry fences installed and the home-site are free of debris.

We hope this helps you understand more about the different stages of construction!

Today continues a series about the stages of construction. Our goal is to help you understand the stages of construction, learn about how we do things and what you can expect during each stage. In this series, we will cover 2 additional stages of construction. To see the previous stages of construction, click here.

In Stage 6, Tile is installed on the floors, countertops and bath areas. Granite and marble tops are also installed. Additionally, masonry work is completed where specified.

The tile and countertops are installed after the cabinets have been installed. If you have made cultured marble or granite selections, they are measured after cabinets are installed. Typically these tops and surrounds will be installed after they are measured. The finished edges of some marble and granite tiles may need to be routed and polished. This is an expensive and time-consuming process. Marble and granite selections, as well as their availability, will be confirmed at the Design Center Meeting.

The fabrications of granite slab countertops are done off-site and may take several weeks from the measure date to install. The slabs are cut to size, polished and edges are routed before they leave the shop. Sink and cook-top cut-outs are done on-site. Back-splashes and seams are cut and fitted on-site as well. The seams in granite slab countertops may vary in placement from that of a model home or your neighbor’s home. This is due to the size of the slabs you may have selected and the natural stability of the slab.

Please note: granite slabs are selected to best match those samples seen and are a natural material and will never match the color, grain and texture samples seen or those in the model or existing homes.

We hope this helps you understand more about the stages of construction!

Today continues a series about the stages of construction. Our goal is to help you understand the stages of construction, learn about how we do things and what you can expect during each stage. In this series, we will cover 3 additional stages of construction. To see the previous stages of construction, click here.

In Stage 5, the interior doors and trim are installed. All interior painting and staining is completed. Once the painting is completed, the cabinets are installed in the kitchen and bathrooms. Marble tubs and shower pans are also installed at this time. A written notice will be sent by Fulton Homes giving your orientation and closing/key release dates, as well as other valuable information pertaining to the closing process.

The interior trim package includes wall caps, interior doors & casings, window sill options, baseboards, closet shelves & poles, plus any crown, or decorative molding. Many of the surface materials used in the interior trim are manufactured wood products.

The interior trim is then prepped for paint. Trim is caulked to the drywall and nail holes are filled. Ceilings “other than bathrooms and laundry rooms” are painted with “flat” paint. Walls are painted with semi gloss eggshell paint. Wood/Masonite interior doors, door casings, baseboards, paint grade wood caps, and paint grade wood stair railing are painted with lacquer acrylic gloss enamel.

Stain grade handrails are stained per the customer’s selection. The stain on handrails is never guaranteed to match the cabinet color due to the type and natural characteristics of the wood used on handrails. All natural woods accept stain differently. Please be advised that cabinet stain color and darkness will not always be an exact match to what you see in the models or at the design center. This is also due to the type and natural characteristics of wood used on cabinets.

Cabinets are delivered when painting is completed.

This sums up the 5th stage of construction. Stay tuned for more stages and information!

Today continues a series about the stages of construction. Our goal is to help you understand the stages of construction, learn about how we do things and what you can expect during each stage. In this series, we will cover 4 additional stages of construction. To see the previous stages of construction, click here.

During Stage 4, insulation is installed throughout the home and the drywall is hung, taped and textured. Ceilings and walls are then sanded in preparation for paint. To avoid knocking the stucco off of the exterior walls, drywall is hung before any stucco is applied to the exterior. The stucco brown coat is applied as soon as the drywall is hung.

The insulation is installed after passing the frame inspection. Typically, insulation batts are used in walls, while ceiling or attic insulation is blown in after the dry-wall is hung. Optional blow-in wall insulation is installed at this time.  Drywall, or sheet rock, is hung after the insulation passes inspection by the Fulton Homes Project Manager.

The stucco lathing is inspected by the local municipality building & safety inspector and the Fulton Homes Project Manager. The stucco brown coat is then applied and allowed to cure.

A router is used to trim drywall at openings for windows and doors. It is not uncommon to slip and over-cut these areas from time to time. Minor cuts in the drywall, if they occur will be repaired as needed.

Once the drywall is hung, a sheetrock nailing inspection is required by the local municipality building & safety inspector. Next, the gas piping system is pressurized and inspected.

Having passed the nail inspection, the dry-wall seams are taped. A paper tape is embedded in dry-wall taping compound to seal these joints and reduce cracking.  Once the tape joints are dry, they are topped with a similar compound.  This second coat is used to level off these joints and fill-in any voids or nail holes.  A skim coat is then applied as need prior to the texture-coat. The texture coat is manually applied as a skip trowel with a large trowel blade. Each coat must dry thoroughly before the next coat is applied. Wet or cold weather may add several days to this process. Once the drywall is textured, it must dry and then be lightly sanded prior to trim carpentry and painting. Please keep in mind that the texture coat is a custom hand applied texture and will typically show inconsistent patterns. This is normal and considered part of the custom application.

We hopes this helps you understand a little more about the stages of construction!

Today continues a series about the stages of construction. Our goal is to help you understand the stages of construction, learn about how we do things and what you can expect during each stage. In this series, we will cover 5 additional stages of construction. To see the previous stages of construction, click here.

Stage 3

Introduction

In Stage 3, the rough mechanical work for the heating and air conditioning systems “HVAC” is completed and plumbing pipes, electrical wiring and low voltage wiring are installed. The roof dry-in is completed and the exterior walls are covered with a moisture barrier wrap prior to stucco or siding installation. Foam lathing & wire are then installed. The Phase II Pre-drywall Meeting with the homebuyer is also scheduled at this time.

The process of installing the mechanical “roughs” begins once the shear inspection is passed. The HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), plumbing, and electrical roughs are installed in order. Once the HVAC and plumbing roof penetrations are completed, the roof dry-in will be performed.

Plumbing lines, waste lines, and gas lines are installed within the interior wall studs prior to drywall. The plumber will install the waste lines first, water lines second and gas lines third. All plumbing lines, tubs and shower pans are put on test for any possible leaks. This test is also inspected by the local municipality building & safety inspector. The roof penetrations for the plumbing vent lines and HVAC are cut before the roof is papered or “dried in.”

The electrical roughs will begin after the HVAC and plumbing roughs are complete. All low voltage wiring is installed after the mechanical and electrical roughs are complete. Variations in framing due to a variety of reasons may cause standard phone, cable or electrical locations to vary slightly.

Typically, utility trenches are dug after the electrical rough-in is completed. These trenches are then inspected for proper location, depth and distance for gas, water and electric. The various conduits and utilities are then installed. Please keep in mind that rainy weather conditions can delay this process .

The roof dry-in is the process of installing a roof felt cover and battens. Battens are wood cleats that roof tiles sit on. This can be done only after the roof sheeting has passed shear inspection as well as the completion of all plumbing and HVAC roof penetrations. Once the roof is dried-in, the installation of the HVAC will begin The HVAC includes all ducts, vents, and furnace installation. The HVAC contractor also installs flashings as needed.

The exterior walls are covered with a moisture barrier wrap prior to lath, stucco and siding installation. The installation of exterior siding or pre-stucco lath typically takes place after the plumbing, HVAC and electrical roughs. Once the gutters, roof flashings and paper are installed, the siding or pre-stucco lath will go up on areas above the roofline.

The installation of exterior pre-stucco lath and wire is next and must be inspected and passed by the local municipality building & safety inspector before stucco is applied.

As you can see, a great deal of coordination and cooperation is required from every trade partner involved at this stage. To keep on schedule the finish materials for the home will need to be ordered in advance.

A frame inspection is required after roof tile is loaded, siding and pre-stucco lath, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical roughs are complete. Again, all rough mechanicals including plumbing, HVAC, electrical, lath materials and hardware are inspected by the local municipality building & safety inspector and your Fulton Homes Project Manager. During this phase of construction the Fulton Homes Phase 2 inspection is performed by your Project Manager for proper installation of your options and all other work performed.

In a case where an extensive network of audio/ visual or computer wiring is to be installed, you will be scheduled to meet with the low voltage wiring installer to confirm the lay out and locations of your chosen options. This meeting will be scheduled before the pre-drywall meeting with your Project Manage. Please note: this is a critical appointment.

Next, after all of the Stage 3 items are complete, you will be asked to attend a pre-drywall meeting with your Project Manager to review your home. Your Sales Associate will schedule this appointment with your Project Manager. This meeting is a good opportunity to review the entire home. At this meeting, the homeowners and Fulton Homes will compare paperwork for errors or omissions and discuss all options and upgrades.

This information is provided simply to give you a better understanding of what to expect. Feel free to just sit back, relax and be Proud to Own because we are Proud to Build for you!

Today continues a series about the stages of construction. Our goal is to help you understand the stages of construction, learn about how we do things and what you can expect during each stage. In this series, we will cover 6 additional stages of construction.

Stage 2

Introduction

Once the slab has been poured, the home begins to take shape. In Stage 2, the process is as follows: the framing walls are snapped, plated & detailed, and then braced, plumb and lined. On two story homes, floor joists are installed and the process is repeated on the second floor. The roof trusses are then loaded and “rolled” and roof sheeting is completed. The shear inspection follows when all required framing is complete.

Snap, Plate and Detail is when the footprint of the home is “snapped out” on the slab using a chalk line. These lines are used to ensure that the walls are placed square and straight.

Framing begins with installation of the walls. Once the walls are framed and stood upright, they are plumb and lined. “Plumb & Line” refers to the process used when bracing the walls of the home. The corners of the home are set “plumb”. Then a string line is pulled tight from one corner to another, along the top of the wall. By sighting down this string it is easy to push or pull the top of the wall to set it straight. Braces are nailed to hold the walls in place. Per engineered plans the exterior wall bottom plates are typically anchored with foundation bolts and hold downs or “hardware”.

Roof trusses can then be loaded on single story plans or floor joists on two story homes. These braces will remain in place until the roof trusses are up and braced properly and the sheeting is nailed off.

Floor joists are installed on top of the first floor walls. Once they are “rolled” and nailed in place, the sub-floor is installed. After the sub-floor is down the second floor frame is much like the first. 

When framing, the roof trusses are loaded by crane. Once the trusses are installed or “rolled”, the plywood or roof sheeting is then cut and nailed per plan.

The outside walls of the framework are “sheared” or covered with plywood in areas designated by the engineers. Inspections by the local municipality building & safety inspectors are then completed.

“Shear” is the terminology used to define the areas of the home, which the engineers design to withstand roof & structure weight loads, wind loads and soil conditions. This design is accomplished through the use of various sheet sizes or thickness of plywood or OSB, which is “oriented strand board”. In addition, the use of hardware such as metal straps, bolts and hold-downs are installed according to the engineered plans.

A shear inspection is required to ensure that the proper material and hardware was used and has been installed properly in the locations called out per plan. Engineered shear requirements vary per structural calculations.

Roof trusses are anchored to these shear panels, which are anchored to bolts in the foundation creating the shear system designed to resist wind and transfer the roof and structural weight down to the slab.

The exterior sliding glass doors, windows and fireplaces are also installed at this time.

At this stage, your home begins to take shape.  Rooms look larger and you can begin to get a feel for the space. Please keep in mind, crooked studs or framing members will be corrected just prior to installing drywall. Correcting this condition at this time is not practical, as frame lumber will continue to dry and move in the sunlight. It is common practice to repair any areas just before the drywall is hung. Studs with knot holes and bark skin is normal wood characteristics and do not affect the structural integrity of the stud.

Temporary “pony” walls are often left up for safety reasons. In addition, metal safety rails are installed on any plans with stairs or open lofted areas where a falling hazard could occur. In the event you schedule a visit to your new home during this or any other stage of construction and there is no safety rail installed do not enter the home when an unsafe condition may exist.

Cabinet delivery and installation is scheduled at this time.

This information is provided simply to give you a better understanding of what to expect. Feel free to just sit back, relax and be Proud to Own because we are Proud to Build for you!

Today starts a series about the stages of construction. Our goal is to help you understand the stages of construction, learn about how we do things and what you can expect during each stage. In this series, we will cover 7 additional stages of construction.

Stage 1

Stage 1 includes the following: lot survey, finish floor survey, home layout, concrete form setting, under-slab plumbing, plumbing inspections, under-slab electrical, gravel fill, steel/hardware, post tension steel cable installation, pre-slab 3^rd party inspection, pre-slab local municipality building & safety inspection, Fulton Homes phase 1 inspection, slab & driveway concrete pour, concrete flatwork and rough grading. Flatwork is defined as concrete or brick paver walkways, driveways and patios.

The home layout begins by painting the lines of the home on the ground. The perimeter footing turn downs, interior bearing footings and plumbing trenches are all marked on the homesite with marking paint.

Forms are the next step in the process. Form setting follows the paint line layout on the homesite. Form setting is the process of setting the exterior perimeter requirements of the concrete slab. Form setting is also the process of creating the channel in which the perimeter footing turn down and interior bearing footings are poured with concrete.

The under-slab plumbing is installed next. ABS drain and waste lines are installed, followed by the water supply lines. The terrain, size of the home, weather and soil conditions will determine the time it takes to layout and trench for plumbing.

The term “steel” refers to the rebar that is used to reinforce the concrete footings. The term “hardware” refers to the bolts and or straps that secure the framing to the concrete foundation/slab. The term “cables” refers to the Post Tension system used to reinforce the concrete slabs. Footing depth, steel and hardware placement varies with soil conditions and engineering per plan.

Once the rebar, cables, footings and underground plumbing have passed inspection the footings and slab will be poured. Again, these inspections are conducted by the Fulton Homes Project Manager, an independent third party inspection company and the local municipality building & safety inspectors. The plumbing trenches are then back-filled and gravel is spread within the interior of the home. A typical slab is set up on this bed of gravel per the plans and engineering requirements. The under-slab electrical conduits are installed in the gravel at this time.

Please note that Fulton Homes is proud to use the Post Tension foundation system in all of their homes.

Post tension cables and rebar are used to reinforce the concrete slab. Plumbing and electrical protrusions are then prepped for inspection.

The pre-slab 3^rd party and local municipality building & safety inspections are then conducted to ensure that the gravel has been installed at the proper depth, there is ample room to the top of the forms for the required slab depth and that rebar, post tension cables, and structural hold-down hardware are installed per engineered plans & specifications. A Fulton Homes Phase 1 pre-slab inspection is also performed at this time. This Fulton Homes inspection includes the verification that the buyers chosen options have been installed.

The slab is now ready to be poured. After the concrete has cure per the engineering requirements, the cables will be tensioned and excess cable ends will be cut off.

You must never cut or drill into this slab as structural damage can occur if a cable is cut. This is extremely dangerous. There is a great possibility of injury when a cut cable snaps trough the concrete. If Fulton Homes must cut into the concrete for any reason we acquire extensive engineering prior to performing this work.