All phases
7
Exterior Finishes
Skin, water management, and everything the appraiser sees first.
Typical duration: 3–6 weeks
2 steps
0/10 complete
12–4 weeks
Siding, Stucco or Masonry Veneer
Install the cladding system with a working drainage plane behind it.
Exterior Skin
Prerequisites & handoff
- WRB and flashings complete and inspected
- Windows flashed
Critical measurements & tolerances
- Min 6" clearance from siding to finished grade, 2" above hard surfaces such as walks and decks
- Lap siding: manufacturer's minimum overlap (commonly 1-1/4"), nails into studs, no face-nailing where prohibited
- Stucco: 3-coat over two layers of WRB, total nominal 7/8" thickness, weep screed at base, control joints per area limits
- Masonry veneer: 1" min air space, weeps max 33" on center at the base course, ties every 16" vertical / 24" horizontal
- Sealant joints at all dissimilar materials with backer rod, joint depth roughly half the width
Permits & inspection milestones
- Lath / weather barrier inspection before stucco scratch coat
- Cladding inspection where required
Field tips & tricks
- Never let stucco or siding bridge the weep screed to grade — it wicks water straight into the framing.
- Keep the drainage plane continuous. Every penetration gets flashed or sealed the same day it's cut.
- Confirm the brick ledge air space is actually clear of mortar droppings before you close the wall.
Reference documents
View in library →- DuPont Tyvek WRB & Flashing Installation Guide · Install guide
- James Hardie Siding Installation Guide · Install guide
Field checklist
0 / 5 complete- Lath / WRB inspected
- Cladding installed to spec
- Weeps and air space clear
- Clearances to grade verified
- Penetrations flashed and sealed
21–2 weeks
Flatwork, Grading, Gutters & Drainage
Driveway, walks, final grade, and roof water routed away from the house.
Flatwork & Grading
Concrete
Prerequisites & handoff
- Cladding complete
- Utilities trenches backfilled and compacted
Critical measurements & tolerances
- Driveway slab typically 4"–6" thick with control joints at 8'–12' spacing (max ~30x slab thickness)
- Walk cross-slope max 2% for accessibility comfort; slope away from the house
- Final grade falls min 6" in the first 10' from the foundation
- Gutters: downspout for roughly every 600–800 sq ft of roof, discharge min 5'–10' from the foundation
- Backfill compacted in lifts to prevent settling at the foundation
Permits & inspection milestones
- Right-of-way / driveway approach inspection
- Final grading and drainage inspection
Field tips & tricks
- Saw or tool control joints within 6–12 hours of the pour. Late joints mean random cracks.
- Extend downspouts before the first storm. Water at the foundation is the most common warranty claim in year one.
- Never pour flatwork tight against siding; keep the required clearance and use an expansion joint at the house.
Reference documents
View in library →- Call 811 Before You Dig · Industry standard
- ACI Concrete Field Reference & Cold/Hot Weather Guides · Industry standard
Field checklist
0 / 5 complete- Sub-base compacted
- Flatwork poured and jointed
- Final grade sloped away
- Gutters and extensions installed
- Drainage verified with a hose test