Page 25 - What You Need to Know to Find the Right Builder

have variations as to how they like to proceed, but this is a pretty good

representation of how you should expect your project to proceed.

• Beginning Construction. Once the final construction plans are completed,
or often while the final plans are being drawn, and after permits are in
hand, the excavation and site work may begin. If the builder is ready to go
and the final plans are not yet completed, it is sometimes possible for the
architect to put a rush on the foundation plan so that the builder can
proceed with the excavation, foundation, under slab plumbing, well, etc.,

while the remainder of the plans are being finalized. This way the builder
can start the framing as soon as final plans are completed. Of course, this is
all up to the individual architect and their schedule.

• Well drilling. It may be possible to get a feel for the depth needed to locate
water on your property by speaking with adjacent homeowners, though
this is never a guarantee. In New England, wells typically fall under the 800-
foot range. You'll want to have the water tested soon after drilling to
determine whether it’s safe or requires any additional treatment for
drinkability. Later in the project, typically after the roof is on, your well
drilling professional will install an electric pump to bring the water to the
home.

Very often, your builder will want to have the well drilled early in the project.
There are a few benefits to this.

1. This is often an allowance item because the depth of the well and the
amount of steel casing needed is unknown until the well is drilled. It’s

good for the client to know what the actual cost is early into the
project since it may affect any future allowance decisions.
2. The drill is loud so workers never like being around while the well
trucks are operating if they don’t have to be.
3. Once the lot has been cleared and a rough grade has been
determined, it’s good to drill the well since the process involves
bringing quite a bit of water and sediment to the surface. It’s best to
control this by having the excavator dig a pit near the well so that the
sediment fills the pit instead of just running down a hill.

Environmental concerns such as preventing this sediment from

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