The Building Process
Three Easy Steps. Endless Possibilities.
Step 1 - Explore, Dream, Consult
1.1 | Research Plans and Galleries
The journey to building your Woodhouse home begins with inspiration. By exploring our extensive collection of floor plans and home galleries, plus other digital and in-print resources, you can visualize what’s possible and gather ideas tailored to your unique vision. This step is all about understanding what you love and what will make your future home truly yours, serving as the foundation for the customized Woodhouse experience ahead.
1.2 | Consult with Woodhouse RPM
Once you’ve gathered your initial ideas, you’ll consult with your dedicated Regional Project Manager (RPM), a Woodhouse specialist ready to guide you through each phase of the project. This experienced advisor will work closely with you to refine your ideas, answer any questions, and provide insights into what can be achieved. Your RPM will act as both your point of contact and your advocate throughout the process, ensuring that every detail aligns with your goals and the Woodhouse standards.
1.3 | Define Scope, Timeline, and Budget
With a clearer vision in mind, you’ll work with your RPM to define the key parameters of your project: scope, timeline, and budget. During this step, you’ll set realistic expectations for the scale of the home, the features you’d like included, and the estimated duration for completion. Your RPM will offer guidance on potential costs and help tailor your vision to match your financial plan, so your dream home comes to life with full transparency and clarity.
1.4 | Defining The Woodhouse Building System
The Woodhouse building system is the heart of every home we craft. Together with your RPM, you’ll define how this system will work specifically for your home, balancing structure, aesthetics, and sustainability. From timber framing and structural insulated panels (SIPs), to windows and doors, you’ll have the opportunity to select the components that best meet your lifestyle and energy-efficiency goals. This phase ensures that every choice you make aligns with the performance and quality you expect from a Woodhouse home.
1.5 | Finding a Builder
A crucial part of turning your dream into reality is finding the right builder to construct your home and your Woodhouse RPM can help. Woodhouse has a trusted network of experienced builders in key markets across the US and we can also help find a builder you can trust in your specific area. This step involves interviewing potential builders, reviewing their portfolios, and ensuring they meet Woodhouse’s high standards. Working with the right builder ensures that your vision is brought to life with precision and professionalism.
1.6 | Site Visit
With the initial planning underway, visiting the site becomes an essential step to align your vision with the land itself. During this visit, you’ll be joined by your Regional Project Manager (RPM) and, if possible, your chosen builder. Together, you’ll assess the land’s unique characteristics, including topography, orientation, and natural features, helping refine the design to suit the environment. Even if the builder is unable to attend, your RPM will gather the insights needed to ensure that the layout, orientation, and features of your Woodhouse home harmonize beautifully with the site’s natural landscape.
Step 2 - Define and Design
2.1 | Confirm Scope, Timeline, and Budget
After the initial consultations, it’s time to finalize the scope, timeline, and budget for your Woodhouse home. This step involves reviewing and confirming all key project details with your RPM, including the scale of the home, selected features, estimated costs, and projected completion timeline. At this stage, any adjustments can be made to ensure that all aspects align with your vision and financial plan, setting the stage for a well-defined and smooth design process ahead.
2.2 | Enter Into a Design Agreement
With a clear vision in place, the next step is to formalize the design phase through a Design Agreement. This agreement outlines the design process, details the scope of work, and secures the resources needed to move forward. The Design Agreement also marks the transition from concept to creation, as you begin to work more closely with the Woodhouse team to bring your ideas to life.
- Custom Process
Work one-on-one with our design team to design a home entirely unique to your vision, customizing every element from layout to finishes. - Predesign Process
Start with a proven plan and modify it with our design team to suit your lifestyle, blending efficiency with personalized adjustments.
2.3 | Meet with the Woodhouse Architect / Design Team
Once your agreement and design path are in place, you’ll meet with the Woodhouse architect and design team to begin shaping your home. Guided by a series of design interviews, this collaborative session allows you to discuss preferences, clarify your design objectives, and ensure that the team has a thorough understanding of your vision. These experts will guide you through options for layout, materials, and aesthetics, laying the foundation for a design that captures your dream home’s essence.
2.4 | Design Phase
In the Design Phase, your Woodhouse home starts to take shape. Through a series of collaborative discussions and adjustments, the design team will refine your layout, floor plans, and architectural features. This phase ensures that each detail aligns with your vision, capturing the character and functionality of your future home.
- 2D and 3D Renderings with Fly-Throughs
2D and 3D Renderings with Fly-Throughs to bring your design to life visually, Woodhouse provides 2D and 3D renderings, along with immersive Fly-Throughs. These tools give you a comprehensive look at the layout, structure, and flow of your home. The fly-throughs allow you to explore spaces virtually, providing invaluable insight into the home’s feel and helping you make informed decisions on the final design.
2.5 | Enter Into a Purchase Agreement
Once your home design is finalized, you’ll enter into a Purchase Agreement. This agreement secures a manufacturing schedule and directs the design team to create full construction drawings. It includes the finalized specifications, materials, and costs, ensuring all parties are aligned and ready for the construction phase. With this agreement in place, the dream of your Woodhouse home is ready to move from design to reality.
Step 3 - Build
3.1 | Engineered Plans
With the design finalized, Woodhouse engineers will create detailed plans tailored to your home’s structural requirements and local building codes. These engineered plans provide the technical foundation for your builder, ensuring that each aspect of construction meets Woodhouse’s high standards for quality and durability. Woodhouse construction drawings provide your code enforcement officer with what is needed to secure your building permit.
3.2 | Pre-Woodhouse Build
Before the Woodhouse package arrives, key preparatory steps are taken on your site to lay the groundwork for your home. These steps include:
- Layout and Permit
Finalizing the layout on-site and securing necessary permits to begin construction. - Site Clearing and Driveway Install
Clearing the land and establishing access to the site. - Excavation
Preparing the site's foundation area by excavating soil as needed. - Foundation and Slab
Laying the foundation and pouring the concrete slab for a solid base. - Floor System
Installing the floor structure that will support the home's framing. - Backfill
Filling in soil around the foundation to secure and stabilize it and improve access.
3.3 | Woodhouse Package Delivery
Once the site is ready, the Woodhouse package—containing all materials needed for your home’s timber frame, and insulated shell—will be delivered to your site. Each component is precision-crafted to ensure efficient assembly and quality and is carefully coordinated to arrive as your builder requires it
3.4 | Woodhouse Tech Rep During Package Assembly
During the package assembly, a Woodhouse Technical Representative will be on-site to guide the builder through the process. This expert support ensures that the frame and structure are assembled correctly and meet the standards set by Woodhouse, providing peace of mind as your home takes shape.
3.5 | Post-Woodhouse Build
After the Woodhouse package is assembled, your builder completes additional phases to finish your home. These steps include:
- Decks and Porches
Installing outdoor living spaces that extend your home's functionality and integrate it with the surrounding environment. - Interior Framing
Building the interior wall frames to define each room's layout and structure within the home. - Mechanicals
Installing HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems that form the operational backbone of your home. - Soffit and Fascia
Adding soffit and fascia for a finished look around the roof edges and to provide ventilation and weatherproofing. - Roof Install
Completing the roof installation with final coverings that protect your home from the elements. - Siding Install
Adding exterior siding that provides aesthetic appeal and weather resistance. - Exterior Timber Install
Finalizing any additional timber elements on the exterior, enhancing your home's unique timber-framed style. - Interior Timber Finish
Cleaning, sanding, and finishing interior timbers, adding warmth and architectural detail inside your home. - Drywall Hanging and Finishing
Installing and finishing drywall on all interior walls and ceilings to create a smooth, finished surface - Prime, Paint, and Finish
Priming, painting, and adding final finishes to walls and ceilings, bringing color and polish to your interior spaces. - Flooring
Installing chosen flooring materials, from hardwood to carpet to tile, to complete each room’s foundation and style. - Fireplaces
Installing fireplaces, where planned, to provide warmth and a focal point in the home’s living areas. - Cabinets, Vanities, and Horizontal Install
Setting cabinets, vanities, and the stone, tile, or man-made horizontal surfaces in place, providing functional and aesthetic features in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas. - Finish Electric and Plumbing
Installing all electrical and plumbing fixtures to ensure all systems are fully operational. - Interior Trim
Installing baseboard and interior trim around windows, doors, and other areas to provide a finished, polished look throughout your home.
