Nevada’s population has been growing at a steady rate of 1.2% since 2010, and it’s easy to see why: a warm climate, plentiful outdoor activities, good schools, and numerous attractions make this a great place to settle down. All this growth, however, means a lack of housing, which is why many decide to hire a contractor and build their own home.
Before you start dreaming of the perfect rugs to bring a sense of Nevada’s wide-open skies into your home, you’ll need to understand the construction process, including what experts to hire and what their qualifications should be. This article will explore the many facets of building a new home in Nevada, including who you’ll be working with and how they will proceed.
Buy Land and Decide on Your Dream Design
First, of course, you need a lot that is in the proper zoning area and matches your specifications. Once this is completed, it’s time to think about exactly what you want in a home. If you’re building a home from scratch, you will likely hire an architect who can guide you through the design process and draft the plans, which will be handed off to the general contractor and their subcontractors.
Things to consider during this process are whether you want one floor or more, how many rooms you would like and what size they should be, whether you want a traditional layout or a more open-plan layout, and what style the home should be in. Many Nevada homes are in the Southwest style, which features tiled roofs, rounded corners, asymmetrical floor plans, overhanging eaves, and stucco exteriors.
Find a Great General Contractor
Any construction is a complicated process that requires numerous professionals, but at the head of it all is a general contractor. Specialists who work primarily on residential homes hold a Class B license in the state of Nevada, meaning they are qualified to build or renovate commercial properties, homes, and prefabricated housing.
To become this type of professional, contractors must gain real-world experience and then take an exam, which covers construction principles, Nevada law, and business management. Truly outstanding pros will sign up for RocketCert’s Nevada B general building contractor license test preparation program to help supplement their training with an in-depth study of each item covered on the Nevada general contractor exam, such as green building, masonry, and OSHA standards. When they’ve completed this course and passed their test, they’re ready to bid on projects just like yours.
You can ensure that you have a good contractor by searching for customer reviews, checking their standing with the Better Business Bureau, and asking for references for prior jobs. Careful research will protect you from finding yourself with a shoddy home that falls apart within just a few years.
Obtain Permits and Prep the Property
Your general contractor will help you gather the permits necessary for your municipality, making sure that they are filed before any work begins in the area. After this, they will clear the land and level it so that you’ll have a perfectly flat surface to work on, then start to prepare for the foundation by digging sewer lines, utility infrastructure, and the trenches for the foundation to sit on.
Place the Footing, Foundation, and Utilities
Next, your contractor will supervise the placing of the footing and the foundation. The footing is generally used in warm areas like Nevada, where basements are uncommon because the frost line is very low; foundations need to be above the line at which the soil freezes in order to protect it from cracking, which is why Midwestern and Northeast homes typically have basements.
The foundation is then poured. When it’s cured, workers will install drains, sewers, and plumbing in the pre-dug trenches around the foundation before an inspector comes to ensure that the foundation is safe and secure.
Install the Frame, Sheathing, Windows, and Doors
Atop the approved foundation, workers will frame the house and place a sheathing around this frame to protect it from water damage; this may be insulated and then wrapped in a protective layer, though this may not be necessary in Nevada. The final step of this section is putting in the doors and windows, which are determined by the framing of the house.
Place Utilities and Install Drywall
At this time, the home is really taking shape, and it’s time to put in the utilities like electricity, plumbing, an HVAC system, and any insulation you may choose to have placed to protect your home from chilly Nevada winters. Your general contractor will work with a roofer to place the top on your property, clad in whatever material you chose – terracotta tile is common, but you may also choose metal or asphalt roofing.
Back into the interior, contractors will put up the drywall, which may be sprayed with a texture in order to provide some design interest. The surface will be primed for painting, indicating that the home is almost ready for your special touch.
Customize According to Your Style
At last, any homeowner’s favorite part: designing and decorating the interior. You’re now free to install the siding, flooring, cabinets, cabinets, countertops, light fixtures, mirrors, and all the other features that make a house truly a home. Painting, landscaping, and hardscaping are all essentials too!
Now, before you move in, a building inspector will come out one final time to ensure that everything is according to standard, and you’re ready to enjoy your new home.
Building a Nevada property is both rewarding and difficult, but it’s made much easier by working with a qualified professional holding a B General Building Contractor license. Find a team of great professionals, and you’ll be moving in to a picture-perfect desert oasis before you know it.
