The foundation is the concrete structure that supports your entire house. The time required to build a foundation varies depending on your city's inspection codes and your geographic location. In Denver, for example, frost zones must be considered while, in California they have to think about earthquakes. Soil conditions, integrity of the ground, government requirements, wind, and the size of the home need to also be taken into consideration. Ultimately, a structural engineer determines the best foundation system for your home. Then the superintendent sets forms, pours the foundation and installs rough plumbing.

The frame is the skeleton of your home. Most of our homes have wood frames but sometimes we use cement block or other materials. Windows and fireplaces are placed in the frame and, in some cases, wall paneling. This phase takes between 1 - 4 weeks.

If the frame is the skeleton, then the rough mechanicals are the internal organs of your home. During this 1 - 3 week phase, air-conditioning, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and electrical wiring are introduced to the structure. If you've opted for any special security systems, central vacuum, or pre-wiring for your stereo and entertainment centers, installation takes place at this point.

Typically, you'll be invited down to the site for a "frame walk" or orientation to verify that all the options you selected are in place.

This is the midway point of the building process. The finish is the skin of your home, including drywall, stucco, roofing, siding, concrete walls, the driveway, property line fences and all major interior and exterior surfaces. All of these finishing touches really help your house start to look like home. Countertops and cabinets are installed, the house is painted and stained. Tile is laid in the kitchen and bath, and any additional plumbing and electrical projects come to completion.

During this two-week phase, you will begin to recognize the home you designed and imagine the future you'll create. The team installs faucets and sinks, light switches, towel bars, doorknobs and all of the small hardware you'll be using on a daily basis.

Workers wait until this final week to install the flooring in the interest of protecting your carpets and hardwood from boots, nails and dust. Any minor adjustments take place now, like window screens, drywall and paint touchups. The house is given a thorough cleaning and is ready for the final orientation.

After weeks of hard work and patience, it's time to do the final walk through. You gather with the same team from the pre-construction and inspect the premises. At this point you sign the closing papers, wait for the escrow to clear and then move into your own new home.