September 23, 2025

Building a New Home: What to Expect

Stages 5-10 Continued from Last Week

For aspiring new home buyers, the prospect of buying a house that has yet to be built can be daunting. But looking at the stages in a comprehensive list can make things less overwhelming.

Last week we explored the first four stages of building a new home in Looking Glass | Parker. By Stage 4, the structure of your new home has been erected on its foundation and is framed in with windows, doors and a roof to make it weather-proof.

Stage 5: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (3-5 Weeks) – Critical Systems

Stage 5 is the point at which the home’s major systems are installed before walls are closed up and flooring is put into place.

  • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning): Ductwork and units are placed.
  • Plumbing: Pipes for freshwater, waste, and gas are routed through walls and floors.
  • Electrical: Wiring for outlets, switches, appliances, and lighting is installed.
  • Low-voltage wiring: Security, networking, and entertainment systems are added.
  • Inspections: To verify safety and compliance before the walls are closed up.
Stage 6: Insulation and Drywall (3-5 Weeks)
  • Insulation: Installation in walls, ceilings, and floors
  • Drywall is hung, taped and finished creating the interior walls and ceilings.
  • Texturing: Texture to walls and ceilings is applied.
  • Priming: First coat of primer seals the walls to prep for painting.
Stage 7: Interior Finishes (4–8 Weeks)

As a new home buyer, this might be the most exciting part of the process – as your home is becoming more recognizable, with the choices you’ve been making along the way. Here’s what happens during one of the longest of all 10 stages:

  • Painting: All walls, ceilings, and trim are painted or stained.
  • Flooring: Hardwood, tile, carpet, and/or other flooring materials are installed.
  • Cabinetry and countertops are added to kitchens, bathrooms, and built-ins.
  • Interior doors and trim: Baseboards, crown molding, and interior doors are set in place.
  • Lighting and plumbing fixtures: Sinks, faucets, toilets, and lighting are installed.
  • Appliances: Delivery and setup of kitchen and laundry appliances.
Stage 8: Landscaping (2–4 Weeks)
  • Landscaping: If the builder has included or landscaping is an opt-in possibility, it’s time for grading, planting trees, shrubs, and sod.
Stage 9: Final Inspections and Move-In (2-3 Weeks)

As the project nears completion, thorough reviews take place.

  • Final inspections: For code compliance and safety then a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is issued.
  • Punch list walkthrough: Builder and homeowner(s) identify and correct minor issues—touch-up paint, hardware adjustments, etc.
  • Professional cleaning: Remaining debris is removed and the home is tidied up.
Stage 10: Move In!
  • Move-in: Once the CO is issued, you can move into your new home!

New Home Construction in Parker

The Looking Glass builders welcome questions from prospective home buyers and encourage you to be part of the process, from selecting your model, to choosing all the interior finishes that make the home your own. The master-planned community is full of trails, paths and parks, community connections and nearby recreation, entertainment and shopping for all your wants and needs. Check out the wide variety of possibilities and tour model homes from Dream Finders Homes, Taylor Morrison and D.R. Horton, today!