Home Addition Checklist
An addition is the longest and most weather-dependent project we do, and it is the one where your purchasing decisions have the largest effect on the calendar. A kitchen can absorb a late decision. An addition usually cannot.
Download the printable PDFMaterials on site — how this works on an addition
We do not build around materials that are still in transit. On a remodel that means everything is at the house before day one. An addition runs five or six months, though, and parking your interior finishes on an active site that long invites damage, weather and theft. So we stage it instead.
- 1Before we break ground. Every long-lead item ordered, with a written delivery date from the supplier in our hands.
- 2Before dry-in. Windows, exterior doors and roofing at the house. The building cannot be closed to the weather without them, and nothing inside starts until it is.
- 3After rough framing, before drywall. Every interior finish material at the house — flooring, trim, doors, lighting, fixtures, hardware.
Miss the third deadline and we do not hang drywall. The job holds where it stands, and your completion date moves by however long the materials take. Staged is not the same as flexible.
The only exceptions are made to fit after construction starts: the countertop slab, cut once your cabinets are set, and shower glass if the addition includes a bath — the glass company measures after the tile is complete and brings you the style and finish options at that visit.
One item outranks everything else on this list: your windows and exterior doors. They run six to sixteen weeks, they cannot be installed until the framing is up, and nothing inside the addition can start until they are in and the building is closed to the weather. If your windows are late, every single phase after framing slides by exactly that much.
How to use this checklist
- Tick the box once the item is bought and the spec sheet or model number is sent to us — not when you have decided on it. A decision we cannot see is not a decision we can build from.
- Send specs to Tony.KVIConstruction@gmail.com. A photo of the model sticker or a link to the product page is enough.
- The "Due by" column tells you which of the three deadlines above each item falls under. Anything marked "Before we start" is a decision we need from you, not something you deliver.
- If a line does not apply to your scope, cross it off with us at the pre-construction walkthrough so nothing is left looking unanswered.
What you purchase, and when it is due
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Approvals before anything starts
None of this is construction. All of it can stop construction.
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your submission to the HOA, sent as early as possible. Some boards meet monthly and take six to eight weeks to answer | Immediately | ||
| A current survey if your jurisdiction requires one or the addition is near a setback or easement | Before permit application | ||
| Signed and approved plans, with structural engineering where required | Before permit application | ||
| Only if the addition does not meet setback or lot coverage rules. This adds weeks — we will tell you early if it applies | Before permit application |
Your submission to the HOA, sent as early as possible. Some boards meet monthly and take six to eight weeks to answer
Due by: Immediately
A current survey if your jurisdiction requires one or the addition is near a setback or easement
Due by: Before permit application
Signed and approved plans, with structural engineering where required
Due by: Before permit application
Only if the addition does not meet setback or lot coverage rules. This adds weeks — we will tell you early if it applies
Due by: Before permit application
Long-lead orders
Order these the week the job is booked. They are the difference between a six-month addition and a nine-month one.
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand, line, color, grille pattern, and glass package. Six to sixteen weeks. This is the single item most likely to move your finish date | On site before dry-in | ||
| Brand, style, swing direction, color, and hardware finish. Same lead times as windows | On site before dry-in | ||
| Brand and color, matched as closely as possible to your existing roof | On site before dry-in | ||
| Product and color. If you have leftover material from the original build, give it to us — exact matches on older homes are often discontinued | On site before siding | ||
| Your confirmation of the roofline and pitch so we can order. Trusses are engineered to order | Before framing |
Brand, line, color, grille pattern, and glass package. Six to sixteen weeks. This is the single item most likely to move your finish date
Due by: On site before dry-in
Brand, style, swing direction, color, and hardware finish. Same lead times as windows
Due by: On site before dry-in
Brand and color, matched as closely as possible to your existing roof
Due by: On site before dry-in
Product and color. If you have leftover material from the original build, give it to us — exact matches on older homes are often discontinued
Due by: On site before siding
Your confirmation of the roofline and pitch so we can order. Trusses are engineered to order
Due by: Before framing
Exterior finishes
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color, and where you want the water to discharge | On site before siding | ||
| Colors, matched to the existing house | On site before siding | ||
| Model numbers and count for entry, soffit, and any flood lighting | On site before drywall | ||
| Style and finish, if the addition changes your entry | On site before drywall | ||
| If the addition ties into outdoor space, our Patio and Deck checklist applies too. Ask us for that sheet | Before we start |
Color, and where you want the water to discharge
Due by: On site before siding
Colors, matched to the existing house
Due by: On site before siding
Model numbers and count for entry, soffit, and any flood lighting
Due by: On site before drywall
Style and finish, if the addition changes your entry
Due by: On site before drywall
If the addition ties into outdoor space, our Patio and Deck checklist applies too. Ask us for that sheet
Due by: Before we start
Mechanical and systems
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extend the existing system, add a dedicated system, or use a mini-split. An addition often exceeds what the current furnace can carry | Before we start | ||
| If the addition includes a bathroom, your current water heater may need to be upsized | Before we start | ||
| An addition frequently triggers a panel upgrade or a subpanel. We will confirm this during design | Before we start |
Extend the existing system, add a dedicated system, or use a mini-split. An addition often exceeds what the current furnace can carry
Due by: Before we start
If the addition includes a bathroom, your current water heater may need to be upsized
Due by: Before we start
An addition frequently triggers a panel upgrade or a subpanel. We will confirm this during design
Due by: Before we start
Interior finishes
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material with 10% overage. Decide now whether you are matching the existing floor or transitioning to something new | On site before drywall | ||
| Style, solid or hollow core, plus hardware finish and count | On site before drywall | ||
| Baseboard and casing profile, matched to the existing house | Before we start | ||
| Brand, color name and number, and sheen for walls, ceilings and trim | Before we start | ||
| Model numbers, counts, and weights for anything that needs blocking | On site before drywall | ||
| White, almond, or black, plus plate style | Before we start | ||
| Configuration for each closet and any built-in cabinetry | On site before drywall |
Material with 10% overage. Decide now whether you are matching the existing floor or transitioning to something new
Due by: On site before drywall
Style, solid or hollow core, plus hardware finish and count
Due by: On site before drywall
Baseboard and casing profile, matched to the existing house
Due by: Before we start
Brand, color name and number, and sheen for walls, ceilings and trim
Due by: Before we start
Model numbers, counts, and weights for anything that needs blocking
Due by: On site before drywall
White, almond, or black, plus plate style
Due by: Before we start
Configuration for each closet and any built-in cabinetry
Due by: On site before drywall
If the addition includes a kitchen or bathroom
| Done | Item | What we need from you | Due by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every item on our Kitchen checklist applies, on the addition timeline: appliance specs before we break ground, the appliances and cabinets themselves at the house before drywall | On site before drywall | ||
| Every item on our Bathroom checklist applies. The shower valve and tub come earlier than the rest — they go in the wall at rough-in, which is before drywall | On site before rough-in |
Every item on our Kitchen checklist applies, on the addition timeline: appliance specs before we break ground, the appliances and cabinets themselves at the house before drywall
Due by: On site before drywall
Every item on our Bathroom checklist applies. The shower valve and tub come earlier than the rest — they go in the wall at rough-in, which is before drywall
Due by: On site before rough-in
Order these first, they decide when we can start
- Windows and exterior doors. Six to sixteen weeks, and the whole interior waits on them. Order them the week the job is booked.
- HOA approval. It is free and it takes weeks. Submit it before you have even finalized your finishes.
- Roof trusses. Engineered and built to order, and framing stops at the wall plates without them.
- Siding or masonry that matches your existing house. Older products get discontinued, and finding a match takes time you do not want to spend in September.
The order the work actually runs in
An addition runs longest and has the most phases outside our control — permits, inspections, and weather. We build realistic buffer for all three, and we will tell you the moment one of them moves.
The sequence below cannot be reordered. You cannot drywall a building that is not closed to the weather, and you cannot close it to the weather without your windows.
Every phase below assumes you hit the three materials deadlines on page 1. They are what the schedule is built on.
| # | Phase | Typical time | What must be settled or on site first |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Design, engineering and HOA approval | 3–10 weeks | Plans finalized, HOA submitted, survey obtained if required |
| 2 | Permit review and issuance | 2–8 weeks | On the jurisdiction’s clock. Nothing on site happens during this |
| 3 | Utility locates and site preparation | 2–5 days | Access to the yard, and anything you want protected moved out of the way |
| 4 | Excavation | 1–4 days | Dry enough ground to dig. Weather dependent |
| 5 | Footings and footing inspection | 2–5 days | Inspector availability |
| 6 | Foundation walls, block or pour | 3–7 days | Concrete needs cure time before we load it |
| 7 | Waterproofing, drain tile and backfill | 2–4 days | Nothing needed from you |
| 8 | Framing: floor, walls and roof | 5–15 days | Trusses delivered. This is the phase where it finally looks like a building |
| 9 | Roof dry-in and shingles | 2–5 days | Shingles on site, and two or three dry days |
| 10 | Windows and exterior doors install | 1–3 days | Windows and doors delivered and inspected. If they are late, everything after this waits |
| 11 | Siding, brick or stone | 5–12 days | On site before siding |
| 12 | Rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC | 5–10 days | All fixture and appliance specs, HVAC approach confirmed, panel capacity resolved |
| 13 | Rough inspections | 3–7 days | Multiple trades, often separate visits |
| 14 | Insulation and insulation inspection | 2–5 days | Inspector availability |
| 15 | Drywall: hang, tape, three coats, sand | 7–14 days | Nothing needed from you. It cannot be rushed without the finish showing it |
| 16 | Prime and paint | 3–6 days | Colors and sheens selected |
| 17 | Flooring | 2–5 days | On site before drywall |
| 18 | Trim, doors and interior finish | 4–8 days | Doors, hardware and trim on site |
| 19 | Finish plumbing, electrical and fixtures | 3–5 days | Every fixture and appliance on site |
| 20 | Final grade, gutters and exterior touch-up | 2–4 days | Gutter color confirmed, seed or sod decided |
| 21 | Final inspections, punch list and walkthrough | 1–2 weeks | You available to walk the job with us |
1. Design, engineering and HOA approval
Typical time: 3–10 weeks
Plans finalized, HOA submitted, survey obtained if required
2. Permit review and issuance
Typical time: 2–8 weeks
On the jurisdiction’s clock. Nothing on site happens during this
3. Utility locates and site preparation
Typical time: 2–5 days
Access to the yard, and anything you want protected moved out of the way
4. Excavation
Typical time: 1–4 days
Dry enough ground to dig. Weather dependent
5. Footings and footing inspection
Typical time: 2–5 days
Inspector availability
6. Foundation walls, block or pour
Typical time: 3–7 days
Concrete needs cure time before we load it
7. Waterproofing, drain tile and backfill
Typical time: 2–4 days
Nothing needed from you
8. Framing: floor, walls and roof
Typical time: 5–15 days
Trusses delivered. This is the phase where it finally looks like a building
9. Roof dry-in and shingles
Typical time: 2–5 days
Shingles on site, and two or three dry days
10. Windows and exterior doors install
Typical time: 1–3 days
Windows and doors delivered and inspected. If they are late, everything after this waits
11. Siding, brick or stone
Typical time: 5–12 days
On site before siding
12. Rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC
Typical time: 5–10 days
All fixture and appliance specs, HVAC approach confirmed, panel capacity resolved
13. Rough inspections
Typical time: 3–7 days
Multiple trades, often separate visits
14. Insulation and insulation inspection
Typical time: 2–5 days
Inspector availability
15. Drywall: hang, tape, three coats, sand
Typical time: 7–14 days
Nothing needed from you. It cannot be rushed without the finish showing it
16. Prime and paint
Typical time: 3–6 days
Colors and sheens selected
17. Flooring
Typical time: 2–5 days
On site before drywall
18. Trim, doors and interior finish
Typical time: 4–8 days
Doors, hardware and trim on site
19. Finish plumbing, electrical and fixtures
Typical time: 3–5 days
Every fixture and appliance on site
20. Final grade, gutters and exterior touch-up
Typical time: 2–4 days
Gutter color confirmed, seed or sod decided
21. Final inspections, punch list and walkthrough
Typical time: 1–2 weeks
You available to walk the job with us
Shaded rows are stretches where little or nothing happens on site. They are part of the schedule, not a sign the job has stalled.
The three most common delays on a home addition
- Window and exterior door lead times. This is the number one cause of a late addition, and it is entirely decided in the first week of the project. Order at signing.
- Permit review. Two weeks in one jurisdiction and eight in another, for the same set of plans. We submit as early as we can and then we wait with you.
- Weather during excavation, foundation and framing. Wet ground cannot be dug, fresh concrete cannot be loaded, and an open roof cannot be left open. We work around it but we cannot work through it.
Typical lead times
These are ranges we see in the Columbus market. Confirm the real number with your supplier when you buy, and tell us if it is longer than what is shown here.
| Item | Typical lead time | Order it by |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | 6–16 weeks | On site before dry-in |
| Exterior and patio doors | 6–16 weeks | On site before dry-in |
| Roof trusses | 3–8 weeks | As soon as the job is booked |
| Siding or masonry, standard colors | 2–6 weeks | 4 weeks before the siding phase |
| Siding or masonry, matching an older home | 4–12 weeks | As soon as the job is booked |
| HVAC equipment | 2–10 weeks | As soon as the job is booked |
| HOA architectural approval | 2–8 weeks | Before you finalize anything else |
| Permit review | 2–8 weeks | As soon as plans are stamped |
Windows
Typical lead time: 6–16 weeks
Order it by: On site before dry-in
Exterior and patio doors
Typical lead time: 6–16 weeks
Order it by: On site before dry-in
Roof trusses
Typical lead time: 3–8 weeks
Order it by: As soon as the job is booked
Siding or masonry, standard colors
Typical lead time: 2–6 weeks
Order it by: 4 weeks before the siding phase
Siding or masonry, matching an older home
Typical lead time: 4–12 weeks
Order it by: As soon as the job is booked
HVAC equipment
Typical lead time: 2–10 weeks
Order it by: As soon as the job is booked
HOA architectural approval
Typical lead time: 2–8 weeks
Order it by: Before you finalize anything else
Permit review
Typical lead time: 2–8 weeks
Order it by: As soon as plans are stamped
The other planning checklists
Lead times and durations on this page are typical ranges for the central Ohio market and are not a quote. Your project is scheduled from your own scope, selections and supplier confirmations.