Home Building Construction Process & Timeline

Building a custom home shouldn’t be a mystery. Below is the start-to-finish timeline we follow at Walnut Ridge Construction — clear stages, homeowner touchpoints, and what “done” looks like at each step.

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Building Process Steps

Build Starts (Mobilization)

We stake the site, verify benchmarks, lock the schedule, and hold a quick kickoff meeting so you know exactly what happens next.

Site Prep

Clearing, grading, erosion control, temporary utilities, and access. We preserve view corridors and drainage integrity from day one.

Foundation

Footings, walls or slab, under-slab plumbing, moisture barriers, and inspections (where required). Cure times vary by weather and mix.

Framing

Floors, walls, roof structure, sheathing, and housewrap. Once the shell stands, you can feel the flow of the plan in real space.

Roof On (Dry-In) & Electrical Walkthrough

After the roof is dried-in, we schedule your Electrical Walkthrough to place outlets, switches, lighting, exterior lights, low-voltage, and any smart-home rough-ins exactly where you want them. Tip: Bring notes for furniture placement — outlet and sconce locations will be perfect the first time.

Rough-Ins (MEP)

Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC rough-ins route behind the walls. We verify all selections that drive heights and locations (e.g., shower valves, ovens, hoods, tubs).

Monroe County Note: Only state electrical rough/final inspections are required.

Insulation

Thermal and sound insulation per plan. Optional upgrades (spray foam, extra sound batts) happen here.

Drywall

Hang, tape, mud, sand, and texture if specified. It finally looks like a home.

Paint

Prime and first coats set the mood. We confirm color and sheen on walls, ceilings, and trim.

Trimming

Interior doors, casings, baseboards, built-ins, mantels, and custom details. Craftsmanship shows here.

Cabinets & Countertops

Cabinets are set, then we field-template countertops, fabricate, and install. Sinks, faucets, and appliance specs must match your selections.

Flooring

Tile, hardwood/LVP, and carpet go in per room schedule. We protect high-traffic areas to keep finishes pristine.

Lighting & Finishes

We install lighting fixtures, devices, plumbing trim, door hardware, mirrors, and shower glass. Systems are started and tested.

Punchout

Builder punch + trade callbacks. You’ll get a simple checklist; we handle the rest. Paint touch-ups and detail passes happen here.

Professional Cleaning

Construction clean, then a final clean so your home is spotless for orientation and photos.

Final Walkthrough & Closeout

We walk every room together, demo systems, hand over keys and warranties, and set expectations for post-move support.

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Design Selection Timeline

Phase	Milestone / Scope	Typical Duration*	Homeowner Actions	Deliverables & Notes
Build Starts	Mobilization, site staking, schedule lock	~1 week	Confirm communication cadence; verify selection approvals	Kickoff meeting; final plan set & permits on file
Site Prep	Clearing, grading, erosion control, utilities rough	1–2 weeks	Approve any tree-saving or view-window adjustments	Pad ready; rough driveway access; silt & safety in place
Foundation	Footings, stem walls/crawl or slab, under-slab plumbing	1–3 weeks (cure time varies)	Walk pad height & steps; confirm porch edges	Foundation complete; survey pins verified
Framing	Floors, walls, trusses/rafters, sheathing	2–5 weeks	Walk rooms for any layout tweaks before rough-ins	Framed shell; windows/doors ready to order/install
Roof On (Dry-In)	Roof deck, underlayment, shingles/metal start	~1 week	Schedule Electrical Walkthrough date	House protected from weather; interior rough-ins can begin
MEP Rough-Ins	Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing lines & boxes	1–3 weeks	Electrical Walkthrough: choose outlet/switch/lighting locations; low-voltage & exterior lighting points	Rough-in complete; ready for insulation
Inspections**	Jurisdictional checks (where required)	Varies by county	N/A	**Monroe County: State electrical rough & final only
Insulation	Walls/attic per spec; sound batts where planned	~1 week	Confirm any optional sound-deadening locations	Thermal envelope ready for drywall
Drywall	Hang, tape, mud, sand, texture (if any)	1–2 weeks	Approve texture and any feature walls	Walls/ceilings complete; ready for trim & paint
Paint	Prime, ceilings, walls, first coats	~1 week	Confirm final interior colors & sheens	Color set; ready for finish carpentry
Trimming	Doors, casings, baseboards, built-ins, mantle	1–2 weeks	Approve profiles & built-in details	Finish carpentry complete; ready for cabinets
Cabinets & Countertops	Set cabinets; field template; fabricate & install tops	1–3 weeks (depends on slab lead-time)	Approve slab/edge; confirm sink & faucet models	Kitchens & baths take shape; ready for tile & plumbing trim
Flooring	Tile, hardwood/LVP, carpet install	1–2 weeks	Confirm transitions & grout colors	Floors complete; protect high-wear areas
Lighting & Finishes	Light fixtures, switches, outlets, plumbing trim, hardware, mirrors, shower glass	1–2 weeks	Provide any owner-supplied fixtures on site	Home functionally complete; systems on & tested
Punchout	Builder punch + trade callbacks	~1 week	Submit punch list items (we’ll provide a checklist)	Defects addressed; paint touch-ups complete
Professional Cleaning	Construction clean, then final clean	2–3 days	Walk home pre-orientation	Home showcase-ready for orientation
Final Walkthrough & Closeout	Owner orientation, systems demos, keys, warranty docs	~1 day	Sign off; note any final touch-ups	Move-in ready; warranty kicks in
*Durations are typical ranges. Weather, selections, inspections, change orders, and supply lead-times can affect schedules.

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Our available inventory changes frequently. Contact Walnut Ridge Construction to see current listings, schedule a showing, or learn about upcoming builds nearing completion.

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Testimonials

Tellico Village

“We interviewed several builders before choosing Walnut Ridge, but what sold us was their open-book pricing and constant communication. We saw every invoice and cost, and there were zero surprises. The process was honest and smooth from start to finish.”

Sarah & Mark L.

Rarity Bay

“From our very first meeting, we knew we were in good hands. Kenny and his team took the time to understand our needs, our land, and our budget. Our home fits our lot perfectly and turned out even better than we imagined.”

Tom & Rachel B.

Loudon County

“The craftsmanship is outstanding. Every trim line, cabinet, and stone detail feels intentional. It’s clear Walnut Ridge Construction takes pride in every home they build.”

Greg & Melissa K.

WindRiver Community

“We were building from Florida, and Kenny kept us updated with progress photos, budget reports, and quick responses. We never felt out of the loop, even from hundreds of miles away.”

David & Karen T.

Monroe County

“We’ve built before, and this was by far the best experience. The cost-plus contract gave us peace of mind, and the workmanship exceeded expectations. We would recommend Walnut Ridge to anyone building in Tennessee.”

Mark & Sheila R.

Blount County

“I've had the pleasure of knowing the general contractor of Walnut Ridge Construction, Kenny Schmidt, for over 20 years. So, when it came time to build a house, there's only one person I trusted to take care of me. You'll never meet a more honest person in your life.”

David M. & Melanie W.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the entire build take?

Typical range is 6–12 months, depending on design complexity, selections, inspections, weather, and site conditions.

When do we lock electrical and plumbing locations?

During the Electrical Walkthrough (after dry-in) and at rough-in verifications. We confirm heights and locations before drywall.

What can change the schedule?

Weather, long-lead materials, change orders, and county inspection availability.

East Tennessee’s trusted builder for custom homes, additions, and renovations crafted with care and a foundation of honesty, transparency, and integrity. Trust your home with Walnut Ridge Construction.