Understanding the right sequence of materials and inventory required to build a house is essential to streamline the process and ensure that you use the correct materials.
We have highlighted the importance of material lists or takeoff lists, which provide the required details of materials, including their dimensions and quantities.
Starting from where to select the materials to buying them, our article “Materials list for building a house” offers insights on everything you need to know before breaking ground on your dream home.
Table of Contents
Order of Building Materials
Building a house requires materials to be ordered and used in a specific order.
The order of building materials typically starts with the foundation, plumbing rough-in, and electrical conduit.
This is followed by the concrete slab, framing, deck, and cornice.
Once the framing is complete, windows and doors are installed, followed by roofing.
Next, the electrical rough-in and plumbing top-out are completed, followed by the installation of the furnace, ducts, and condenser line-set for HVAC.
The fireplace, siding, insulation, drywall, and trim work then follow. The house is finished with the installation of cabinetry, paint, finishes, flooring, and landscaping.
Semi-custom and production home builders typically have homeowners choose materials at the beginning of the project. In contrast, fully custom home builders will order materials as they go.
According to reports windows, brick, and garage doors have the longest delays and should be ordered first.
Materials List for Building a House
A materials list is a detailed inventory of all materials required to build a specific house plan.
It provides details on the type, dimensions, and quantities of materials needed, helping to reduce errors and minimize waste.
There are two primary reasons builders and contractors use a materials list: cost estimation and time-saving.
Creating a comprehensive materials list can take several hours, and it can be more complex for intricate designs.
Every plan in the house plan collection has a materials list available for purchase.
This is an essential purchase for anyone building a house plan as it helps to provide more accurate cost estimates for better budget planning.
Using a software program such as Snap Estimating, PlanSwift, or Esti-Mate can help generate a personalized materials list.
Subcontractors can also provide materials lists, but buying materials on your own ensures that you won’t face liens on the property.
It is essential to note that finish materials can add up to equal the cost of the shell materials, so they must be considered in the overall budget.
Delays on Building Materials (How to Work Around Them)
Building a house requires a careful and methodical plan to prevent unnecessary delays.
Some materials have longer lead times or delays before they are delivered to the job site. The longest delays are with windows, brick, and garage doors.
Therefore, it is best to order these items first to avoid delaying the construction process.
One way to prevent delays is to order all the materials at once. This is more common with fully custom home builders who order materials as they go.
In contrast, semi-custom and production home builders require homeowners to choose the materials at the beginning of the project. This allows trade partners to work off specific plans and schedules, reducing the overall timeline of the project.
Working with a builder or contractor who has strong relationships with vendors is also a wise move as this facilitates quicker delivery of materials on site.
Also, it is crucial to consider the availability of materials when choosing specific house plans. Some building supplies are only available in limited regions, which could increase the cost of a project if they need to be transported from a distant location.
Detailed Materials List: Cost Estimation and Time Saving
A materials list is a critical tool for builders and contractors needed in building a house.
It provides a detailed inventory of all the materials required to complete a specific house plan.
Purchasing a materials list ensures that there are no wasted materials or underestimation of the quantity of materials needed.
This reduces errors and minimizes waste, which ensures that the project remains on budget and is completed on time.
One essential reason builders and contractors use materials lists is cost estimation.
Each entry in the list indicates the type, dimensions, and quantities of materials needed, making it easy to generate a personalized cost estimate for better budget planning.
A materials list can help track the expenses of the project and ensure that the project stays within the initial budget.
Materials Lists Save Time
Another reason to use a materials list is time-saving.
Instead of breaking down the house plan and creating a list, purchasing a materials list saves time.
This allows the builder or contractor to focus on other essential aspects of the project, such as hiring subcontractors and purchasing necessary equipment.
Building a materials list can be time-consuming, and if the house plan is intricate and complex, it may take longer.
Software Can Help
However, there are software programs like Snap Estimating, PlanSwift, and Esti-Mate that builders and contractors can use to generate a personalized materials list.
Additionally, subcontractors can also provide materials lists, but purchasing materials on your own ensures that you won’t face liens on the property.
It is important to note that although the shell materials take up a significant part of the budget, finish materials, such as cabinetry, countertops, flooring, light fixtures, and plumbing fixtures, can add up to equal the cost.
Therefore, they must be considered in the overall budget.
Final Words
A detailed materials list saves time and aids with cost estimation in budget planning, it’s an essential purchase for anyone building a home.
Software programs like Snap Estimating, PlanSwift, and Esti-Mate can help create personalized materials lists, saving a lot of time and effort.
Finish materials must be considered in the overall budget as they can add up to equal the cost of the shell materials.
