New Construction Finalized on Private Residence
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Work on the East Freetown residence has completed within a year of construction by general contractor Washburn Construction. 8TFive Studio had provided the architectural design and development for the 2600 sf private residence. This was part of our latest Residential project.
Key Takeaways
- General contractor Washburn Construction completed the new construction on a private residence in East Freetown within a year.
- 8TFive Studio designed a 2600 sf open concept home focused on family function and future expansions.
- The project utilized structural steel for large overhangs and open spans, optimizing window orientation for usability.
- The team consulted on various construction details including trim work, fixtures, and appliance selections.
- Professional photos of the finished project have been taken by Design Imaging Studios and can be viewed online.
Table of Contents
Design Development
The plan for the project was to create an open concept home that centers on family function. We highlight more details in on the design as part of our Featured Residential project.
Structural steel was utilized to maintain the large overhangs for future additions. It also helped with open spans within the first floor and second story.
Windows are oriented for time of day, family function and seasonal weather influences.
SEE ALSO: Washburn Construction in New Bedford, MA
Construction Detailing
To some extent, we relied on the experience and craftsmanship of the general contractor. This was to finalize some of the less developed areas of the design such as column construction and deck styling.
During the construction process, our Services extended to consulting on the trim work, tile finishes, door panels, major appliances, lighting, and plumbing fixtures. We also consulted on much more.
The quality of construction was great. The next steps were to implement the first stages of landscaping design and interior finishing.
We do plan on posting finished photos of the project but we are currently seeking an architectural photographer to collaborate with. Once we have identified a consultant we will upload images.
Feel free to check-in with us if you have any questions.
SEE ALSO: Year in Review 2017
Q&A – New Construction Private Residence
From land purchase to move-in, the process generally takes 8 to 18 months. Custom builds trend toward the longer side, often requiring 10 to 16 months for the physical construction phase alone, plus several months for initial site due diligence and permitting.
The process is typically divided into five major phases:
Pre-construction: Site acquisition, architecture design, and securing permits.
Site Work and Foundation: Clearing the lot, grading, and pouring the concrete foundation.
Framing and Shell: Building the structural skeleton and completing the roof, windows, and exterior.
Rough-ins and Systems: Installing critical HVAC, plumbing, and electrical lines before sealing walls.
Finishes and Finalization: Installing drywall, flooring, and fixtures, followed by final inspections.
Due to ongoing material price fluctuations and labor shortages, it is recommended to include a 10% to 15% contingency fund in your budget. This covers cost escalations or supply chain impacts that may occur after the contract is signed.
Most buyers use construction-to-permanent loans, which provide funds in “draws” to the builder during construction and then convert into a traditional mortgage once the home is finished. Other options include lot loans for purchasing land separately or builder-provided in-house financing.
Inspections are critical at key milestones to ensure code compliance and structural integrity. The most vital checks occur after the foundation is poured, once framing and rough-ins are complete but before drywall is added, and during the final walkthrough for the certificate of occupancy.
*Update – Professional Photos*
We have recently had architectural photography taken by Design Imaging Studios of the project:
Neil has over 20 years’ experience on a range of large (15,000 sf) and small (500 sf) residential, non-profit, and commercial projects with a small business focus. He has two kids with his wife, Victoria, and loves family time camping, hiking, and traveling. While he grew up in New England, Neil is a diehard Buffalo Bills fan!
