SOUTHWEST IDAHO ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILD ON YOUR LAND CUSTOM HOMES AND BUILDING | INNOVATIVE DESIGN | BUILDING SCIENCE | FINE CRAFTSMANSHIP
PROJECT CONSULTATION -
• THE INITIAL CONSULTATION - This step is often conducted over the phone after we have received the basic information for your project thru one of several methods of reaching out to us. This initial stage is typically where we can both determine if the building relationship is a good fit for both of us. We will discuss the basics of the potential project and determine if on onsite meeting and consultation is a good direction for both parties involved.
• ONSITE MEETING AND FOLLOW-UP CONSULTATION - This stage is where we gather some additional basic information regarding your project. Typically this is conducted onsite at the location of the project and depending on the extent and scope of the project may also involve taking measurements, notes and a basic sketch of the proposed plan. Very often however this onsite consultation is utilized to provide Mountain Modern Design+Build with the information required to provide you with the first agreement in our design+build process which we refer to as the Proposal of Estimated Costs & Design, Drafting and Preconstruction Services Agreement.
DESIGN AND PRE-CONSTRUCTION
• DESIGN AND PRE-CONSTRUCTION - This stage is focused around building the plans and designs, refining plans and designs and creating a target budget range with an estimated cost to build. During the pre-construction stage, a myriad of activities happen behind the scenes to set up a smooth construction process. This is the phase where site preparations, permits, HOA approvals, and other necessary steps are taken care of. This stage is initiated by the preparation, review and execution of our Proposal of Estimated Costs & Design, Drafting and Preconstruction Services Agreement. This agreement if focused around providing our clients with the proposal of the estimated costs for this stage as well as the details, allowances for expected costs to provide for the various aspects of this stage. This stage also focuses on identifying the specifications, selections, finishes and items and various items which will this custom home or building your own.
The final step of the design and pre-construction stage is where we will finalize your design choices, selections and decisions so that we can present a clear and detailed budget before moving to construction. The final step is the review and execution of the Project Proposal of Estimated Costs to Build and Construction Services Agreement.
CONSTRUCTION - (not all steps in the construction process will be relevant to every project, nut the level of detail involved remains the same)
SITE PREP AND EXCAVATION / FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATIONS -
Finally, it’s time to really get things moving!
Here, the site excavation begins and the foundation of your dream home starts to take shape. This is one of the initial steps to build a house or building in Idaho, and it includes prepping the building pad and initiating the septic and drainage field if required, drilling and prepping the well if required as well underground plumbing and electrical work to bring services to your building.
EXTERIOR WALL SYSTEMS, ROOF SYSTEMS AND PARTITIONS -
ThIs stage is an exciting part of the home-building process. Its where you will see the bones of the structure put in place, roof systems installed, timberworks and other framing systems if included, as well as windows, doors, and exterior finish systems. During this time, you’ll see the structure of your home coming together. This is when your house starts becoming a physical reality.
HVAC, PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL ROUGH-IN -
During this stage you will see the items of the home or building that make it work being installed and you can begin to see how finishes will be included in a later stage. The walk-thru after the trades have completed there work allows us to ensure that items are where and as you envisioned they would be. Its easier to make changes now than when the insulation and drywall have been installed.
INSULATION AND DRYWALL -
During this stage of the building process before the insulation is installed, we typically initiate a blower door test to find any points where the air tight barrier of your home is not in the best way it can be. A blower door test helps us identify this as well as being one of the stages in providing your home with a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score and the steps to providing the certifications required for any additional incentives or other items you may qualify for.
INSULATION - We typically utilize high density spray foam insulation systems from the base of the concrete footing to the underside of the subfloor, in all the exterior walls creating a vapor barrier as well as ensuring our airtight layer, and to the peak of the roof over conditioned areas of the building or home. In the crawlspace this spray foam insulation not only insulates the home to below the frost line for the local area but also seals a 15 mil taped and sealed crawlspace vapor barrier to the footing and foundation wall (if the building is utilizing a footing and foundation system with an open crawlspace). This makes our crawlspaces part of the conditioned space of the home and follows within the guidelines of not only sustainable energy efficiency focused zero energy ready home and the Indoor AirPLUS guidelines as well.
DRYWALL - We typically utilize 5/8" drywall with a level five smooth finish on all our custom homes and other buildings where this applies. We feel it increases the rigidity of the home as well as assists with the attenuation of sound transmission.
INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR FINISHES -
In this stage of the new construction timeline, all the choices you made during the design phase, such as cabinetry, countertops, and flooring, come together. This part of building a house in southwest Idaho is where the dream truly comes to life. Exterior finishes, railings, gutters, stonework, and other custom touches, like shutters or brackets, will be installed.
When the interior finishes are being installed, the order does matter. For logistical purposes, some things are left for the end because they could more easily get damaged while installing other elements. So, lighting fixtures, mirrors, carpet, appliances, a final coat of paint, and window screens will finish out this step.
FINAL CLEANING AND CLOSEOUT -
After construction is complete, a meticulous clean-up takes place. You will then have the opportunity for a final walk-through to ensure everything meets your standards. You and your contractor might make a final punch list to make sure everything is perfect on move-in day.