SAAMAAN MAGAZINE- ISSUE 5

Management checklist for building a new single-family house

Writer: Mehran Safapour, M.Arch

Photo: Ali Doroodchi

Any significant and challenging undertaking requires a strategic, and comprehensive plan. Without this plan and road map, it would be like navigating in the dark and therefore exposed to many unknown risks.

While having comprehensive drawings and excellent contractors are perquisites to a good building, an accurate and detailed plan and checklist is crucial. Without this, a project may face significant delays, incur unexpected costs, inherit unwanted design defects, face conflict with subcontractors and/or clients, legal complications and ultimately and accumulatively, deciding the fate of the project, delineating between success and failure.

This topic will be discussed for the first time in this edition and will continue for several subsequent edition. And will continue for several subsequent editions. The writer welcome readers’ feedback and collaboration on this topic.

• Basement Framing Stage Checklist

1- This stage of framing must be done after the basement concrete slab has been done (see stage of Conc. drain works)

2- Checking all windows and exterior doors have been installed properly by concrete nailing (or Topcon) and injected by low pressure foam to the concrete walls

3- Checking the layout of basement to be according to the architectural plans

4- Checking the exterior studs’ space to the concrete foundation walls to be proper for necessary insulation according to the architectural specification and details (possible lateral foundation support)

5- Checking vapour barrier under the studs before nailing to the basement conc. slab

6- Making sure foam insulation to be sprayed on concrete foundation walls according to the building code before framing

7- Checking all studs to be nailed by concrete nails or Topcon to the basement concrete slab and making sure the heated floor pipes not to be damaged by nailing

8- Making sure the steel posts have been welded strapped to the wood framing

9- Checking all fire stoppers

10- Checking special framing for elevator(s) according to the elevator shop drawings *

11- Order the HVAC and plumbing contractors to start rough-in stage

• Stairs Framing Checklist

1- Check the height of finished concrete slab of the basement to the first floor and provide it to the stairs company

2- Receiving the shop drawing of the stairs from stairs company

3- Coordination with the stairs company and the framer regarding all necessary details at the job site

4- Checking with the owner of property (if the owner is different from the builder or interior designer involved) about the type of steps (closed or open risers)

5- Checking with the owner (if the owner is different from the builder or interior designer involved) about the type of stringers (open or closed)

6- Checking with the owner (if the owner is different from the builder or interior designer involved) about all special or minor details (for example the shape of first step etc.)

7-Checking with the owner or interior designer (if the owner is different from the builder or interior designer involved) about the material of stairs (treads, risers, stringer) to be stain or paint grade

8- Checking with the owner or interior designer (if the owner is different from the builder or interior designer involved) about the type and material of railing (metal or wood pickets) with the main large post at the beginnings or the corners or not

9- Checking with the stairs company about the thickness of flooring of all floors and basement

10- Order the stairs company to install the stairs (after the finished concrete slab of the basement is done

11- Checking the bolts of the connection of stringer to the framing

12- Checking the first and last steps to be equal as the other steps after the flooring of each floor will be done

13- Checking the stringer of the second-floor stairs to sit on the structural beams not on joists or the space between joists

14- Order the framer to strap under the stairs for drywall (if the stairs are closed risers)

15- Making sure the nails of strapping not to go through and comes out from top of the steps or risers

16- Making sure the framing around the stairs has been properly done in order to have enough and constant space for drywall

*   If applicable.