Learn about the stages / phases of building project! - some people say stages, some people say phases 🤷‍♀️

The best way to do this is give you a quick overview of each stage and what is involved, we will also be looking at each stage in detail in following blogs (they will also give you great hints, hacks and pother info to help you save money). You can access all these blogs from within the MyBuild app if you need a quick reminder.

Lets get going 👍. before we "break ground" need to cover off a few pretty important steps..

1. Planning - Getting your plans approved by the relevant authorities. This will also include the need for building regulations, structural plans etc. Or, you are doing an internal renovation and you dont need any of that stuff. But always best to check to with an architect or planning office to ensure you dont get caught out in the future.

2. Sourcing your Builder- Finding a good builder and project team can be tough. Speak to friends/ family, architects. You need to be looking for recommendations. We like recommendation sites but our experience has not always been good even with 5 ⭐️ reviews. So a personal connection is always preferred. Once you have been recommended get at least 3 quotes if you can, visit some of their most recent projects, speak to their previous customers directly. If they dont want you to speak/see previous projects, serious red flags 🚩!!

Ok we are now ready to start the build 🎉. These are the main stages. Of course dependant on your project you might not need to do each stage but its good to learn anyway as in builds you never know what might happen and be around the next corner !! You may also find yourself managing many of these in tandem, its not a linear process. This list may not cover absolutely all elements but the majority are here

1. Preliminaries - things you need to get on site before you build can start

   1. Site services: like a temporary toilet for the builders to use, metal lock up

   2. Skips: provisions for making sure all teh waste can be removed from the site

   3. Fencing / Security: you may needs a metal fence erected or other enclosure to keep the site safe whilst work is being undertaken.
      

2. Demolition - knocking sh*t down, pretty self explanatory 🙂
   

3. Groundworks - everything needed to get your project "out of the ground"

   1. Excavation / Digging and removal of soil to prepare the site for construction.

   2. Foundations: Construction of the building's foundation, which provides support and stability, concrete footings

   3. Drainage: Installation of underground drainage systems to manage surface water and sewage.

   4. Services: Hooking up water / electricity (or making provisions for them)
      

4. Framing & Structures - the structural elements that you need to build

   1. Construction of the building's structure, including walls, floors, and roof.

   2. Installation of structural steel or timber frames, if applicable.

   3. Brick/Blockwork walls, stud walling / metal partitioning

   4. Forming the roof structure, installing flat roofs

   5. Scaffolding
      

5. Weatherproofing - making the building water tight the Americans 🇺🇸 call this "Enclosure" we sometimes call it "Envelope" phase

   1. Tiling the roof or waterproofing your flat roofs with membrane or fibreglass

   2. Installation of windows, roof lights, external doors

   3. Application of any sealants or membranes to stop water getting into your project
      

6. First Fix - also know as MEP (Mechanical, Electrical,Plumbing) all the stuff that is hidden in walls, floors and ceilings. This is a must read individual blog as you want to get this stage 100% right as there is often no way to change what goes in at this point.

   1. Wiring - installation of all the electrical cables, hooking up the mains

   2. Sockets and switches - Mounting of electrical outlets, switches, and other fixtures, including back boxes, external sockets (however this does not mean face plates or covers, these are just the mounting blocks.

   3. lighting - wiring for lighting, any hidden mountain blocks for lighting systems

   4. Data - cat 5 cabling, satellite cables.

   5. Security- hidden wiring for security camera's, sensors etc

   6. Pipework - all of the pipework for central heating systems, installing underfloor heating, hot/ cold water feeds for bathrooms and kitchen / utilities, internal drainage

   7. Heating- installation of underfloor heating (as above), actual installation or radiators, taps, will be done after "interior finishing"

   8. Fire systems - any integrated fire dampening systems and necessary connections to mains water.

   9. Air conditioning and conducting - electric wiring, pipework needed to feed air conditioning units.
      

7. Interior finishing - turning your project into the home you had always imagined 💭

   1. Plastering or wall cladding to internal walls and ceilings

   2. Bespoke constructions - kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, ummm swimming pools, jacuzzis, saunas, gyms (we wish 😂 ) etc

   3. Floor Finishes such as carpets, tiles or hardwood flooring

   4. Joinery and wood finishes, internal doors, picture rails, skirting boards, door surrounds, architraves

   5. Painting and decorating, We like a nice chalky farrow and ball paint (well we did until it became waaaaay to expensive!)

8. Second Fix - putting the polish on your project

   1. Installation of all door / kitchen furniture (handles, locks, stoppers)

   2. Putting the covers and connecting sockets & switches

   3. Final installation of lighting fixtures and fittings, recessed lighting, ceiling lighting etc

   4. Installation of taps, radiators, central heating system, shower units

9. Exterior finishing - making sure the water goes where you want and your project looks amazing!

   1. gutters, fascias, downpipes

   2. external cladding, rendering, painting

10. Landscaping - making your project as beautiful outside and inside

    1. Hard landscaping for example tiles, paths, driveways, walls, fencing etc

    2. Soft landscaping, you guessed it! Planting, lawns, trees

11. Defects / Snagging / Punch lists - everything that needs finishing so prior to sign off. OK this is the normal process but we strongly advise that snagging / defects/ punch lists are completed as you complete every stage. If you see something wrong deal with it when it happens!
    

12. Sign Off - time to party!!!! 🎉

OK there we go, you should have a good understanding of the journey you are about to take or even started already. In MyBuild your timeline is already grouped into these stages to make it easy for you to keep a record. You can make up your own ones if you want too as well 😂. There are blogs for each stage (some we have grouped together where it makes sense) to provide you with more advice including checklists and all sorts of goodies..Good luck!!