Free New Home Construction Checklist (PDF, Excel)

Author – Joe Stephenson, REALTOR®

This checklist includes key phases and deliverables to manage various types of construction work from start to finish, providing structure for estimating, scheduling, and tracking completion. Use it to communicate responsibilities across trades, validate inspections, and keep your job site running smoothly.

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Get the complete New Home Construction Checklist to print, use on your tablet, or customize in a spreadsheet.

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Benefits of Multiple Formats

• Customize & Track Budgets > The Excel format allows you to add columns for budget tracking, notes, and vendor info.
• Take It On-Site > Use the PDF on a tablet or print a physical copy for walk-throughs with your builder.
• Stay Organized Offline > Keep a printed copy in your project binder for easy reference without needing a device.
• Share with Stakeholders > Easily share digital or printed copies with your partner, architect, or lender to keep everyone aligned.

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New Home Construction Checklist

Tap a phase to see the checklist items:

Phase 1: Building Foundations +

Assessing and Preparing the Soil

Check for problem soils like clay or silt. Ensure the soil is capable of supporting the house. Consult with a building inspector for advice on local soil conditions. If necessary, consult a soils engineer for recommendations. Remove organic matter from the proposed excavation area. Ensure footings rest on undisturbed soil. Use a jumping jack compactor to re-consolidate soil where stumps or rocks were removed. Clean loose material from footing trenches with hand tools.

Excavation and Layout

Determine the correct elevation for the bottom of the excavation in advance. Check the bottom of the opening for elevation and levelness as you excavate. For a basement, excavate an opening a few feet wider and longer than the house. For a crawlspace, scrape organic matter but leave the grade. For a monolithic slab, scrape organic matter off the surface. Set up a leveling instrument to establish a level plane. Use offset stakes to preserve the preliminary layout. Record the desired top-of-foundation elevation relative to a benchmark. Mark the excavation area with a line 4 ft. outside the corner stakes. Calculate the exact depth of the excavation based on the top-of-foundation elevation.

Footings and Walls

Dig footing trenches to the required depth, below the frost line for your area. Form the footings according to the plan, ensuring the walls will be centered over them. Install rebar as required by local code. Have the footing examined by the building inspector before pouring concrete. Pour the concrete for the footings and form a keyway if specified. After the concrete hardens, lay out the foundation walls on the footings. Check the layout for squareness by measuring the diagonals. Build the foundation walls using poured concrete, concrete blocks, or a permanent wood foundation. For concrete block walls, install rebar and cleanouts in the footings. Grout block cavities as needed.

Phase 2: Framing Floors, Walls, and Ceilings +

Floors

Measure the foundation to check for squareness and levelness. Snap a chalkline to mark the location of the mudsill. Correct for any low spots on the foundation using shims or patching material. Correct high spots with a grinder or by making adjustments later when installing joists. Attach the mudsills, drilling accurately to fit over anchor bolts. Install a sill seal or caulk to prevent air infiltration. Install girders or basement bearing walls. Sort and crown the joist material before installation. Lay out joist locations on the mudsill, accounting for critical details like stairwells and plumbing. Install rim joists. Install the floor joists, toenailing to the mudsill and nailing to the rim joist. Install the floor sheathing, leaving a small gap for expansion. Follow the specified nailing schedule for the sheathing. Provide for wiring and plumbing by installing blocking.

Walls

Lay out the locations of exterior and intersecting walls on the floor. Lay out the details for all exterior wall plates, including rough openings for doors and windows. Fabricate wall components like corners, T-intersections, and headers. Assemble the exterior walls. Sheathe the walls before or after raising them. Raise and brace the exterior walls, ensuring they are plumb and straight. Build and install interior walls. Install the second top plate, overlapping intersecting walls for rigidity. Install blocking and backing for fire protection and to support future installations like cabinets and handrails.

Ceilings

Lay out ceiling joist locations on the top plates of the walls. Lay out large openings for stairwells and chimneys. Install joists with the crown up, toenailing to the top plates. Frame a gable-end wall if applicable.

Phase 3: Framing Roofs 1: Raftered Roofs +

Gable Roof

Find the hypotenuse of the pitch triangle. Determine the dimensions of the measuring triangle to find the height of the ridge and rafter length. Rip the ridge to the correct height and use posts to hold it in place. Install planking across the joists and screw it in place for a work platform. Lay out rafter locations on the ridge. Lay out, cut, and assemble the rafters. Install the rafters, nailing them to the ridge and toenailing to the top plate.

Hip Roof

Lay out rafter locations on the walls for king common, hip, and jack rafters. Take key measurements off the top plates. Install ceiling joists and provide backing for drywall where necessary. Cut and install the ridge. Lay out and install the common rafters. Lay out and cut the hip rafters, ripping the material to the correct width and angle. Lay out, cut, and install the jack rafters.

Roof with a True Valley

Lay out and install the ridges and common rafters. Prep and install the valley material. Lay out, cut, and install the jack rafters.

Doghouse Dormer

Build the opening to the correct size. Frame the walls, cutting plates and studs to match the roof pitch. Cut and install the ridge. Cut and install the common rafters. Lay out and install the valley plate. Lay out and install the valley jack rafters.

Phase 4: Framing Roofs 2: Trusses, Eaves, Rakes, and Sheathing +

Trusses

Order trusses with a clear understanding of the design loads and roof shape. Store and handle trusses correctly to avoid damage. Set trusses using a crane, telehandler, or by hand. Align trusses using a stringline, laser level, or marks on the bottom chord. Install temporary and permanent bracing as specified in the truss design drawings.

Eaves and Rakes

Install subfascia, ripping the top edge to match the roof slope for a full nailing surface. For rake overhangs, build a ladder-type rake or a cantilevered rake. Install the rake boards and rake frieze. For cantilevered rakes, install lookouts and a barge rafter.

Sheathing

Install roof sheathing with the long side perpendicular to the rafters/trusses. Leave a 1/8-in. gap between panels for expansion. Follow the specified nailing schedule. Stagger the courses of sheathing. Use H-clips on trussed roofs between panels.

Phase 5: Closing the House to the Weather +

Roofing the House

Check for the minimum roof pitch required for asphalt shingles. Install an underlayment and drip edge. Lay out the shingle pattern, marking horizontal courses and bond lines. Install the starter course and main courses. Cut shingles to fit around pipes, vents, and other obstacles. Install flashing for all penetrations and junctures. Install ridge and hip caps and vents. Perform a final inspection to clean up dropped nails and seal exposed fasteners.

Installing Windows, Exterior Doors, Siding, and Trim

Install a weather-resistive barrier (WRB) on exterior walls, detailing around openings. Flash the bottom, sides, and top of window and door openings. Install windows and exterior doors, ensuring they are plumb and square. Install exterior trim, including corner boards, fascia, and frieze. Seal the end grain of all cut wood or fiber cement siding/trim. Install exterior siding, ensuring all joints allow for movement.

Phase 6: Finishing the House – Interior +

Wall and Floor Coverings

Order the correct size and quantity of drywall to minimize butt joints. Hang ceilings first, then walls, cutting drywall for all openings and fixtures. Fasten drywall securely and finish all joints and corners with tape and compound. Install solid-sawn tongue-and-groove or plywood paneling if desired. Install wood floors over a layer of tar paper, or install ceramic tile with a proper substrate.

Doors

Measure and install prehung doors, ensuring they are plumb, level, and the gaps are consistent. For new doors in existing openings, check the opening and custom-fit the door. Install hardware for all doors. For French, pocket, or bifold doors, follow specific installation and framing instructions.

Trim and Cabinets

Install door and window casing, ensuring the jambs are flush with the drywall. Install baseboard, chair rail, and crown molding, using proper joints and cuts. Install backing blocks for crown molding if needed. Check for drawer and appliance clearances before installing cabinets. Install wall cabinets first, followed by base cabinets.

Stairs

Build stairs, adhering to code requirements for dimensions and safety. For exterior stairs, use durable materials and protect against frost heave. For interior stairs, account for finished floor thicknesses and a precise fit. Install newel posts, skirtboards, risers, and treads in the correct sequence. Install the balustrade, ensuring balusters are evenly spaced to meet code.

Disclaimer

This checklist is for informational purposes only and serves as a general guide. It may not cover specific requirements for all regions or projects. Please check your local building codes, regulations, and laws to ensure compliance for your new home construction project.

I love the process of the exciting journey of a new home build. I’ve been doing it for so long, and I still get excited watching a house become a complete work. I find that taking on a custom home construction project has maintained is complexity over the years. There are so many specific details to consider along the way. It can be easy to overlook aspects that might become an issues later.I’d like to help you keep yourself organized. I find that having a detailed new home construction checklist (pdf) is a great way to keep things together.

The construction industry thrives on checklists. It makes sense if you think about it. You can keep all of the clear expectations in a punch list format. Your home plan will stay organized and ultimately create a more efficient and predictable new build. You could be estimating remodel costs and managing tasks on a custom home. You’ll find that a detailed checklist can clarify what to expect, when things matter most, and what to do before you sign any work order.

This checklist can serve as your trusty tracker that guides you through each construction phase. You want to make sure you meet each specific requirement and building requirements while keeping your vision intact. With 20+ years of experience helping clients bring their dream homes to life, I’ve designed this resource to cover everything. I’ve included the design specifications, and exterior structures. You’ll also find how I approach tracking the finishing touches like the interior walls, storage solutions, and laundry room.

Careful planning and attention to every detail, down to the final walk through, are necessary to get your home so that it aligns with your unique preferences. Please, I invite you to download this pdf file to access a comprehensive checklist that takes the guesswork out of your project and ensures every aspect of your construction is executed consistently.

Questions for Real Estate Agent about Building New Home

Need some more guidance on what to ask? No problem. Here are a list of questions you can to Joe if they apply to you. These can get things going, and then we can do more of a discovery discussion.

• What steps should I take when looking to purchase land to build a custom home? How can you help guide me through this process as my real estate agent?
• What type of floor plan and square footage would you recommend for the land I’m considering, given factors like lot size and terrain?
• How can we design an optimal floor plan that includes all the rooms and features on my wish list, like a spacious garage and open concept main floor?
• What are the rules and regulations for new home construction in this area? Will I need to get permits or approval before construction begins?
• How do I go about hiring a qualified general contractor and home builder? Can you recommend any reputable contractors you’ve worked with before?
• What should I look for when evaluating and selecting the home builder? Are there specific questions I should ask or qualifications to look for?
• How can I make sure I choose the right materials and finishes like flooring, cabinets, countertops, paint grade, and light fixtures while staying within my budget?
• What energy efficient features like new windows or blown in insulation would you recommend I invest in?
• How soon in advance should I contact the power company before appliances and electrical finishes are installed?
• What steps should I take to prepare for the final inspection? What happens during a final walkthrough?
• Do you have any recommendations for saving money during the custom home building process?
• What should I consider when thinking about future plans and renovations down the road? How can I design the home to easily accommodate future needs?
• As my real estate agent, how can you best advise me throughout the entire home building process as a one-stop shop?

Contact Joe

Contact Joe and Let’s Talk About Building a Custom Home

Building your own custom home is an exciting yet complicated process. To make sure you stay on track, use a comprehensive home building checklist covering everything from purchasing land to the final inspection. I can get you started with Kansas City home builders.

Contact me at 913-661-6700 or fill out this form to email me.

Check Back for Updates to this House Building Checklist (Excel, PDF, Doc)

Having a dynamic construction process and ever-improving safety standards and quality standards will help you always have the best tools for your project. We are committed to regularly updating our home construction checklist template and other construction templates.

Check back here for the latest versions designed for superior project management. Our goal is to help project managers and construction teams stay on the same page at the job site. Future updates to our house building checklist excel and other excel templates will offer even better ways to track progress on all project requirements, from the first square feet of the foundation until your new home is move in ready. Don’t miss out on the next version of this powerful free checklist.