New Construction Service Work Reference
Why this matters
New construction work differs from service: tract builders, custom builds, additions, remodels. Volume often high; margins lower; competition intense. The tech who handles new construction well builds significant B2B revenue. This is the field card.
New construction landscape
Types:
- Tract / production builders: high volume, standardized
- Custom builders: single home, specific design
- Spec builders: built without buyer; sold completed
- Renovations / additions: existing structure modified
- Multi-family: apartments, condos, townhomes
Each has different dynamics.
Builder relationship
Builder typically:
- Coordinates multiple trades
- Pays subs
- Manages customer relationship
- Schedules
- Sets specifications
Your role:
- Specific trade scope
- Within builder's timeline
- Quality + speed
- Coordination with other trades
Differences from service
Service:
- Customer is occupant
- Direct relationship
- Higher margin
- Quality differentiation matters
- Reputation built per customer
New construction:
- Customer is builder
- Indirect to occupant
- Lower margin (volume)
- Speed + reliability matter
- Reputation built per builder
Bid + contract
For builder work:
Bid process:
- Builder requests pricing
- Specific scope
- Per square foot OR per house
- Standardized for tract
Contract terms:
- Pricing
- Scope
- Schedule
- Payment terms
- Warranty
- Insurance requirements
Master contract:
- Sometimes for ongoing
- Covers multiple homes
- Per-house orders separate
Volume + pricing
Tract builders:
- High volume
- Standardized plan
- Lower pricing
- Faster work expected
Custom:
- Lower volume
- Variable scope
- Higher pricing per job
- More attention per job
Find your spot:
- Some companies specialize
- Some mix
- Margin vs volume tradeoff
Sequencing on new construction
Typical sequence (residential):
- Site work (clearing, excavation, foundation)
- Foundation (footings, walls, slab)
- Framing (floor, walls, roof)
- Mechanical rough-in:
- HVAC (ductwork)
- Plumbing (supply + drain rough)
- Electrical (panel + circuits + boxes)
- Insulation
- Drywall (hang, tape, finish)
- Paint
- Trim work (cabinets, doors, trim)
- Flooring
- Mechanical finish:
- HVAC (equipment, registers)
- Plumbing (fixtures)
- Electrical (devices, fixtures)
- Final inspection
- Closing / occupancy
Your work fits within sequence.
Coordination
Pre-construction meeting:
- All trades present
- Schedule reviewed
- Conflicts identified
- Customer expectations
Weekly progress:
- Update on schedule
- Issues raised
- Coordination needed
Per-trade meetings:
- Issue-specific
- Direct coordination
Drawings + specifications
Provided to subs:
- Full set of drawings
- Specifications document
- Equipment schedules
- Engineering details
You're responsible for:
- Knowing your scope from drawings
- Asking questions (RFI)
- Coordinating with other trades
Scheduling
You're "pulled" when ready:
- Builder notifies when site ready
- You schedule promptly
- Don't show before site ready
You're "released" when done:
- Builder confirms work complete
- Inspection cleared
- Move to next site
Inspections
Each phase has inspection:
- Rough-in inspections
- Final inspections
- Building inspector
- Trade-specific
Your responsibility:
- Work passes inspection
- Address corrections promptly
- Schedule inspection (sometimes; builder usually)
Coordination with other trades
Common conflicts:
Plumbing wants this wall; HVAC also:
- Coordinate routes
- Often plumbing first (more restrictive)
Electrical box conflicts with plumbing:
- Adjust
- Coordinate before either commits
HVAC return conflicts with electrical chase:
- Reroute
- Discuss before completion
Quality vs speed
Builder pressure:
- Speed essential
- Margin tight
- Multiple subs
Don't sacrifice quality:
- Builder respects quality
- Code compliance non-negotiable
- Callbacks during warranty cost everyone
Balance: efficient quality work.
Materials handling
For builder work:
- Often builder supplies materials
- OR you supply per agreement
- Delivery + staging coordination
- Theft / damage prevention
Site organization:
- Don't store excessive material
- Don't block work areas
- Move when needed
Payment terms
Builder payment typically:
- Net 30 from invoice
- Per-house OR per-trade payment
- Sometimes draws (initial, progress, final)
- Sometimes lien waivers required
Cash flow management:
- Builder pays after you complete
- Multiple builders + projects = cash flow planning
- Track receivables religiously
Lien rights
For unpaid work:
- Mechanic's lien against property
- State-specific notice + filing
- Important leverage
- Common in commercial / new construction
Insurance + bonding
Builder requires:
- Liability insurance
- Workers' comp
- Bond (sometimes)
- Certificate of insurance (COI)
- Additional insured designation
Without these: builder can't legally use you.
Permit + license
Subs responsible:
- Trade-specific permits
- Licensed for trade
- Inspections coordinated
Builder pulls:
- Building permit
- Overall coordination
Documentation
For each new construction job:
- Signed contract
- Drawings (your copy with notes)
- Change orders
- Inspections records
- Photos of work
- Invoices
- Customer signature (final acceptance)
Punch list
End of project:
- Builder + customer walkthrough
- Outstanding items identified
- Per-trade items addressed
- Sign-off
You return to address punch items.
Warranty
Builder warranty:
- Typically 1 year on workmanship
- Manufacturer warranties on equipment
Your warranty:
- Per your trade's standard
- Matches OR exceeds builder warranty
- Define in contract
Specific trade considerations
HVAC:
- Manual J calculations
- Equipment sizing
- Ductwork rough-in
- Equipment install (final)
- Commissioning
Plumbing:
- Underground (slab homes) before pour
- In-wall rough
- Fixture install final
- Test all systems
Electrical:
- Service entry
- Panel install
- Rough-in (boxes + wire)
- Finish (devices + fixtures)
- Test all circuits
Roofing:
- Decking inspection
- Underlayment
- Shingles
- Flashing
- Final inspection
Common new-construction mistakes
- Showing up before site ready
- Working before drawings finalized
- Damaging other trades' work
- Skipping inspection step
- Not coordinating with builder
- Slow communication
- Surprises late in project
- Forgetting to register warranties
Builder relationship building
For long-term:
- Reliable scheduling
- Quality work
- Fair pricing
- Communication
- Punch list completion
- Warranty response
Reliable subs become preferred subs.
When builder is wrong
References
- IBC / IRC building codes
- AGC (Associated General Contractors)
- NAHB (National Association of Home Builders)
- State contractor licensing
- Manuall internal: Working With General Contractors, Multi-Trade Remodel Coordination