equally important. Poorly installed windows that leak or let in too much cold air can cause long-term damage or short-term expensive heating bills. ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING Now that the exterior of the home is taking shape, it’s time to install the electrical and the plumbing. These steps seem relatively straightforward, but often cause the biggest headaches at final inspection. A crossed wire or incorrectly installed water line can cause significant re- work prior to receiving the certificate of occupancy. Again, this costs both time and money. STEP 11 STEP 12 INSULATION This is another critical step that buyers often overlook and where many builders might take a short cut. Don’t do it. Poor insulation will lead to higher heating bills and dissatisfied renters. Ultimately, word will get around that you cut corners in this critical area and it will impact your reputation in this neighborhood and future neighborhoods as well. DRYWALL At this point, the construction project is starting to look like a home. Once drywall is installed, it’s easier to see what the home ultimately will look like. At this time, most homeowners can start to envision how they will furnish and decorate. STEP 13 STEP 14 PAINT Once the drywall is up, now it’s time to truly bring the home to life by putting some color on the walls. Most real estate experts will tell you to go with neutral
STEP 7 POURING THE SLAB This is another step with long-term ramifications if mistakes are made now. A poor foundation can cause long-term structural damage that will ultimately erode a home’s value over time. This isn’t the type of thing an average homeowner will notice, and in the short-term, a poor foundation won’t make a difference. But, as soon as you go to sell, a home inspector will spot good from bad with ease. Much like the neighborhood infrastructure, a solid foundation will pay off in the long run. FRAMING THE HOUSE Next, it’s time to bring in a crew to frame the house. The biggest challenge with framing today is a tight labor supply. Builders are often competing for labor, and STEP 8 talented framers are in demand. Having a go-to crew can ensure a high-quality job at a reasonable price. As with anything in business, relationships matter and keeping your framing crew happy will pay off with reasonable rates in the short run and a quality job over the long haul. PUTTING ON THE ROOF This is another step that has long-term implications. If your goal is to hold on to these properties for a long time, the last thing you want is to have to replace the roof prematurely. And, even in a quick flip situation, a home inspector will call out a poorly constructed roof when you try to sell. Much like pouring the slab, there is little reason to cut corners here. STEP 9 STEP 10 WINDOWS From an aesthetic standpoint, good-looking windows can significantly impact curb appeal. Their functionality is
Bruce McNeilage is the managing member and a co-founder of Kinloch Partners and a partner in Harpeth Development.. He is a passionate advocate for housing affordability and homeownership, and invests heavily in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as throughout the southeast. Learn more about his projects, including single-family built-to-rent communities and the Solo East and North condominium projects at www.Kinlochpartners.net.
70 | think realty magazine :: november 2020
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