Definitions
Understanding these key terms will help you get the most out of this guide.
Building Permit
A building permit is the authorization Classic must obtain from the local building authority (here, the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department) before residential construction can begin. Securing one involves an application process that can take roughly two to four weeks after the buyer's Start Package is signed.
The permit confirms the approved plans and specifications meet code, and obtaining it is one of several pre-construction tasks that, along with weather and time of year, can affect the start date and early stages of construction.
Home Review Conference
The Home Start Conference is the first of the buyer's scheduled meetings with Classic, typically arranged before construction begins. Lasting roughly 30 to 90 minutes, it covers a comprehensive review of the plans and specifications and the building process itself.
Discussion includes the Job Information Sheet, plot plan, excavation, rough and fine grade, color chart, late change orders, working hours, the inspection process, site safety, and how to handle questions. The buyer also receives a copy of their site plan at this meeting.
Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection
The Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection is a meeting held just after the rough mechanical stage and before insulation and drywall are installed, when the inner workings of the home are still visible. It usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes and lets the buyer see the quality built into the walls.
Although the window for making changes has closed, this meeting confirms that selections are being installed correctly and is an opportunity to review exterior items (rough grade, drainage, elevation, soils report) and interior items (framing, rough electrical, plumbing, heating). The delivery date target is also updated at this meeting.
Plans and Specifications
Plans and specifications are the approved drawings and written descriptions that define how a home is to be built, including materials, methods, and finishes. The regional building department must review and approve them, and Classic is required to comply with the approved set.
These documents also become part of the Classic's contracts with trade contractors and suppliers, and only written instructions from Classic can change them. Because each home is built to its own plans and specifications rather than to a displayed model, no two homes are exactly alike.
Soils Report
A soils report documents the results of testing the soil on a particular lot by an independent soils engineer. The findings are used to design a foundation specifically suited to that lot and the home being built on it.
Because soil conditions vary from lot to lot, the report can lead to different foundation types on neighboring homes. The buyer is provided a copy of the soils report for their home before closing.
Foundation
The foundation is the structural base on which the home is built. An independent soils engineer tests each lot and designs a foundation specific to that lot and the selected home, so foundation designs can differ between neighboring properties.
Foundation work in the construction sequence includes excavation, footer installation, forming and pouring walls, perimeter drains, damp proofing, backfill, and base plumbing, all of which must pass inspection before construction continues.
Excavation
Excavation is the digging of the ground to prepare the site for the foundation. It is one of the first physical steps in the construction sequence and is sometimes called an over-dig because extra space is removed beyond the foundation footprint to allow crews room to form, pour, waterproof, and backfill the walls.
An open-excavation inspection occurs early in the process, and buyers are cautioned to stay at least six feet from all excavations because of fall hazards.
Footer / Footing
A footer (also called a footing) is the wide concrete base installed beneath the foundation walls. It spreads the load of the structure over a larger area of soil to provide stable support.
In the construction sequence, footer installation follows excavation and precedes forming and pouring the foundation walls.
Form and Pour Walls
Form and pour walls describes the process of building temporary molds, called forms, into which concrete is poured to create the foundation walls. Once the concrete cures, the forms are removed.
This step follows footer installation in the foundation phase and precedes work such as perimeter drains, damp proofing, and backfill.
Perimeter Drain
A perimeter drain is a drainage system installed around the outside (and sometimes inside) of the foundation footings to collect and carry away groundwater. It helps prevent water from building up against and seeping through the foundation.
It is installed during the foundation phase, where applicable, after the foundation walls are formed and poured.
Damp Proofing
Damp proofing is a moisture-resistant coating applied to the outside of foundation walls to help keep soil moisture from penetrating into the basement or crawl space.
It is applied during the foundation phase, after the walls are formed and poured and before backfilling against them.
Backfill
Backfill is the soil placed back against the foundation walls to fill the space that was excavated around them. It is done after the foundation walls are formed, poured, drained, and damp proofed.
Proper backfilling supports the foundation and helps establish the ground levels around the home.
Base Plumbing
Base plumbing refers to the plumbing supply and drain lines that are installed during the foundation phase, typically before interior concrete flatwork (slabs) is poured over them.
Installing these lines early ensures they are correctly positioned beneath the floors before the concrete encloses them.
Concrete Flatwork
Flatwork is flat, horizontal concrete work such as interior floor slabs, driveways, sidewalks, and patios. Interior concrete flatwork is poured during the foundation phase, while exterior concrete is placed later in the exterior sequence.
Flatwork is weather-sensitive: extended wet or freezing conditions can delay pouring and curing, which in turn can affect the delivery date.
Framing
Framing is the construction of the home's structural skeleton, including the first and second floors, walls, roof trusses, and roof sheathing. It gives the home its basic shape and defines the rooms before mechanicals and finishes are added.
Framing progresses at different speeds: large expanses of wall go up quickly, while detail work such as framing soffits and closets proceeds more slowly. Framing is reviewed by the buyer during the Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection.
Roof Trusses
Roof trusses are engineered, pre-fabricated wood frameworks, typically triangular, that span the home and support the roof. They are set in place during the framing phase after the floor and wall framing are complete.
Once the trusses are up, roof sheathing is applied over them to create the surface for roofing materials.
Sheathing
Sheathing is the layer of structural panels (such as plywood or OSB) attached to the framing of the roof and exterior walls. Roof sheathing is installed over the trusses, and wall sheathing is applied during the exterior phase.
Sheathing strengthens the structure and provides the base onto which roofing, siding, and other exterior finish materials are attached.
Dry-In / Enclosed Structure
An enclosed structure, sometimes called being dried-in, is the stage when the roof is on and the home is closed up against the elements. Reaching this point is significant because, until it is achieved, weather can dramatically affect the delivery date.
Even after the home is enclosed and past the worst weather-related delays, weather can still impact later outdoor work such as utility installation, grading, and concrete flatwork.
Valley Flashing
During the roofing phase, an underlayment of felt or paper is laid over the roof sheathing as a water-resistant barrier, and valley flashing (metal pieces) is installed where two roof slopes meet to channel water away and prevent leaks.
These components are installed before the shingles, which form the final weatherproof roof surface.
Fascia
Fascia refers to the boards installed at the ends of the rafters along the edges of the roof. They cover the rafter ends and provide a finished edge, and are often the surface to which gutters are attached.
Fascia is installed as part of the exterior trim work during the exterior phase of construction.
Exterior Trim and Finish Materials
Exterior trim and finish materials are the visible outer coverings and decorative elements applied to the home, including siding, stone or stucco, and the trim around windows, doors, and edges. They are installed over the wall sheathing during the exterior phase.
The specific exterior finish can vary based on the slope and conditions of the homesite, and community architect requirements can also affect appearance between communities.
Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters are channels mounted along the roof edge (often on the fascia) that collect rainwater, and downspouts are the vertical pipes that carry that water down and away from the home. Together they help protect the foundation and landscaping from water damage.
They are installed during the exterior phase of construction where applicable.
Grading
Grading is the shaping and sloping of the soil around the home to control drainage and direct water away from the foundation. Rough grade establishes the approximate ground levels earlier in the process, while fine grade (fine grading) refines the surface near completion before landscaping.
Grading is weather-sensitive and reviewed at the Home Start Conference and Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection. Proper grade, along with drainage and the home's elevation, helps protect the home from water intrusion.
Drainage
Drainage refers to how water is directed away from the home so it does not collect against the foundation. It is achieved through grading, perimeter drains, gutters and downspouts, and the overall elevation of the home on its site.
Drainage is one of the exterior items reviewed with the buyer during the Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection, alongside rough grade and elevation of the home.
Elevation of Home
Elevation has two related meanings in homebuilding. It can refer to how high the home is positioned on its site, which affects drainage and how water moves away from the foundation. It also refers to the exterior elevations, the views of each face of the home, whose appearance is affected by the slope and topography of the homesite.
Because each homesite is shaped differently, elevation can influence driveways, walks, the number of steps, where rails occur, and whether retaining walls are needed.
Topography
Topography is the natural shape and surface contours of a piece of land. Because each homesite has its own topography, the position of a home on its site and the appearance of its exterior elevations can vary from others in the community.
Slope from topography can affect the configuration of the driveway and walks, the number of steps and placement of rails, the exterior finish, and whether retaining walls are needed for extreme conditions.
Retaining Wall
A retaining wall is a structure built to hold back soil and stabilize changes in ground level. On homesites with significant slope, retaining walls help manage grade and make the site usable.
They are sometimes needed for extreme site conditions and are one of the ways the topography of a homesite affects how a home is built.
Site Plan / Plot Plan
A site plan (also referred to as a plot plan) is a drawing that shows where the home is positioned on its homesite. The buyer receives a copy at the Home Start Conference, where the plot plan is reviewed along with excavation and grading details.
Because each homesite is shaped differently, the site plan reflects the specific position of the home and helps explain variations from other homes in the community.
Mechanicals / Rough-In
Mechanicals are the working systems of a home, including HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning), plumbing, electrical, and low-voltage wiring. The rough-in is the stage when these systems are installed within the open framing, before insulation and drywall enclose the walls.
The rough mechanical stage is when extra outlets must be installed and is the point at which the Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection takes place, since the inner workings of the home are still visible.
HVAC
HVAC stands for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning, the system that controls a home's temperature and air circulation. It is one of the mechanical systems installed during the rough-in stage of the interior phase.
The HVAC rough-in is roughed into the open framing along with plumbing, electrical, and low-voltage wiring, then completed (along with fixtures and registers) during finish work.
Low Voltage
Low voltage refers to wiring for systems that operate at lower electrical power than standard household current, such as telephone, cable/TV, internet, and security or smart-home wiring. This wiring is installed during the mechanical rough-in stage.
Running low-voltage wiring while the walls are open ensures it is correctly placed before insulation and drywall close up the framing.
Rough Electrical
Rough electrical is the stage when electrical wiring, outlet and switch boxes, and panel connections are installed in the open framing, before insulation and drywall. Any extra outlets the buyer wants must be added at this point.
Rough electrical is reviewed during the Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection and must pass a rough inspection before insulation and drywall are installed.
Insulation
Insulation is material placed in walls, floors, and ceilings to slow the transfer of heat and improve energy efficiency and comfort. It is installed after the mechanical rough-ins pass their rough inspections and after the Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection, but before drywall is hung.
Because insulation hides the systems behind it, the Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection is intentionally scheduled before insulation so the buyer can still see inside the walls.
Drywall
Drywall is the panel material used to create finished interior walls and ceilings. It is installed in stages: first the panels are hung, then the joints are taped and the surface is textured to prepare it for paint.
Drywall goes up after insulation, which is why the Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection is held beforehand. Drywall compound (used for taping and texturing) is a wet material present during this phase, and paint and drywall touch-ups are completed at the end of construction rather than throughout the build.
Interior Trim
Interior trim is the finished woodwork installed inside the home after drywall, including interior doors, baseboards, door and window casings, and applicable built-ins. It gives rooms their finished, detailed appearance.
Interior trim is part of the finish stages of construction and precedes paint, stain, and final finish work such as cabinets and flooring.
Finish Work
Finish work is the collection of final installation stages that complete the interior of the home. It includes tile, cabinets, countertops, light and plumbing fixtures, floor coverings, appliances, hardware, and screens, followed by construction cleaning and final detailing.
These stages occur near the end of the interior sequence, after paint and stain. Many delivery-date details become controllable at this point, allowing Classic to be more precise about the completion date.
Certificate of Occupancy
A certificate of occupancy is the document issued by the building authority confirming that a completed home meets code and is approved for occupancy. It is one of the final milestones in the construction sequence, after final cleaning.
Obtaining the certificate of occupancy, along with completion of details handled by the lender, utilities, and title company, is part of what must happen before keys can be delivered at closing.
Building Department Inspection
Building department inspections are reviews conducted by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, a third party, at several defined points during construction, such as at open excavation, after the mechanical rough-ins, and at other stages. The home must pass each inspection before construction continues.
These inspections are part of the planned construction sequence and are a common reason progress appears to pause, since work waits while the home awaits its scheduled inspection. Classic also performs its own quality-control inspections in addition to these third-party reviews.
Trade Contractor / Trade Partner
Trade contractors (also called trade partners or trades) are the specialized companies and craftspeople Classic hires to perform specific portions of the work, such as excavation, foundation, framing, mechanicals, insulation, drywall, trim, and finish work. Each works on only a limited part of the home.
Classic selects all trade contractors, who must follow the approved plans and specifications and may not make changes without written authorization. They are required by their trade agreements to attend safety training and company meetings, and have no authority to enter into agreements on the Classic's behalf.
Lead Time
Lead time is the period, often days or weeks, by which each trade is scheduled in advance of the actual work on a home. A set amount of time is allotted for each trade to complete its portion.
Lead time explains why progress can appear to stall: if one trade finishes early, the next trade already has an assigned time slot that usually cannot be moved up on short notice, creating gaps when it looks like nothing is happening.
Construction Sequence
The construction sequence is the general order in which a home is built: construction start, foundation, framing, roofing, exterior, interior (including mechanical rough-in, insulation, drywall, trim, and finish work), and finally closing and move-in. The specific order can vary somewhat, and in later stages interior and exterior work occur simultaneously.
Understanding the sequence helps buyers know what to expect, including planned pauses for building department inspections and stages where progress is fast or slow.
Delivery Date
The delivery date is the projected date the finished home will be ready to be handed over to the buyer. It begins as an estimate because weather and other factors can affect early construction, and a guaranteed date is unrealistic in the early stages.
Classic provides an estimated delivery time-frame window at each construction meeting and becomes more precise as completion nears and more factors come under its control. The final walk is typically set 35 days or more before delivery, and buyers are advised not to finalize move arrangements until then.
New Home Presentation (NHP)
The New Home Presentation (NHP) is a scheduled buyer meeting near the end of the process, after construction is essentially complete and before closing, where the finished home is reviewed with the buyer. Its dates are set by Classic and confirmed within weeks after the Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection.
If a buyer hires a private home inspector, that inspection is typically scheduled about a week before the New Home Presentation.
Welcome Home Orientation
The Welcome Home Orientation is one of the scheduled buyer meetings in the closing and move-in phase of the construction sequence. It is an opportunity for Classic to orient the new owner to their completed home.
It appears alongside the New Home Presentation, Closing, and Warranty Visits as part of the meetings scheduled with the buyer near and after delivery.
Job Information Sheet / Start Sheet
The Job Information Sheet and Start Sheet are the Classic's documents that record the specific details of how a particular home is to be built. At the Home Start Conference, the Job Information Sheet and start sheet are reviewed against the plans, drawings, and color chart for accuracy.
Reviewing these together with the buyer helps catch discrepancies early, before construction proceeds.
Hard Hat
A hard hat is protective headgear that guards against head injuries from falling objects and overhead hazards on a construction site. Classic requires buyers to wear one during any site visit.
Hard hats are provided and checked out to visitors at check-in, for example before a Pre Drywall Quality Assurance Inspection or a Scheduled site visits are arranged through your Sales Counselor.
Quality Control
Quality Control refers to how Classic thinks about quality, acceptable tolerances, and personal standards. At some point quality ceases to be an absolute and acceptable levels become a matter of personal taste; in some areas opinions may differ, and in a few your personal standards may be higher than the Classic's. The Classic's commitment is to deliver what was promised — a home matching the standards shown in the model homes and described in your purchase documents.
Tolerances
Tolerances are the acceptable levels of variation in a finished home. Because a home is handcrafted rather than built in a controlled factory environment, quality at some point ceases to be an absolute and acceptable tolerances become a matter of personal taste. In some areas the Classic's and buyer's opinions may differ, and in a few cases a buyer's personal standards may be even higher than the Classic's.
Cosmetic Surfaces
Cosmetic surfaces are the visible finished surfaces of the home, such as countertops, flooring, walls, and trim. During the New Home Presentation Classic confirms that all surfaces are in good and acceptable condition, and any details needing attention are listed on the form.
Cosmetic surface damage caused during construction is readily noticeable during the walk-through and will be corrected. However, repair of cosmetic surface damage that occurs after move-in — such as a mover scratching the entry floor or a packing box staple scratching a counter — is the homeowner's responsibility, and is specifically excluded from the Limited Warranty.
Cosmetic Defects
Cosmetic defects are surface-level imperfections noted during the New Home Presentation and Welcome Home Orientation. Classic Homes corrects the cosmetic defects listed during these appointments, with listed items typically completed within 30 days of closing unless you are otherwise notified. Repair of cosmetic damage that occurs after move-in is the homeowner's responsibility.
Model Home
A model home is the Classic's display home that demonstrates the standards of quality and finish buyers can expect. A central purpose of the New Home Presentation is to confirm that the overall quality of your home equals the overall quality of the model home, and that it meets the standards described in your purchase documents.
GFCI Outlets
GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets are special electrical outlets designed to protect against electric shock by quickly cutting power when they detect a ground fault. They are required in areas near water — kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and exteriors — and are checked in each of these areas during the New Home Presentation.
Hose Bibs
Hose bibs are the outdoor water faucets, or spigots, mounted on the exterior of the home for connecting a garden hose. They are reviewed as part of the exterior inspection during the New Home Presentation.
Swales
Swales are shallow, gently sloped channels formed in the ground to collect and direct surface water away from the home and toward proper drainage. Along with grading and berms, swales are part of the lot's drainage system and are checked during the exterior review.
Berms
Berms are raised mounds of soil shaped to control the flow of surface water and aid drainage around the home. Together with grading and swales, berms help keep water moving away from the foundation, and they are inspected during the exterior portion of the walk-through.
Property Pins
Property pins are survey markers placed in the ground to mark the legal corners and boundaries of your lot. During the New Home Presentation Classic confirms that the property pins are located so you know where your property lines are.
Masonry
Masonry is the brick, stone, or block work on the exterior of the home. It is one of the exterior items Classic reviews during the New Home Presentation.
Stucco
Stucco is a durable cement-based plaster applied as an exterior wall finish. During the New Home Presentation Classic checks the stucco (and siding) for any needed touch-up as part of the exterior review.
Tipouts
Tipouts are the small angled extensions or deflectors at the base of downspouts that channel roof runoff away from the foundation. They are reviewed together with the gutters and downspouts during the exterior portion of the New Home Presentation.
Roof Vents
Roof vents are openings installed on the roof to allow air to circulate through the attic, releasing trapped heat and moisture and helping protect the roof structure. The roof and roof vents are reviewed during the exterior inspection.
Mechanical Room
The mechanical room is the dedicated space that houses the home's major mechanical equipment and controls — including the water meter, water heater, furnace and air cleaner, floor drain, and the water, sprinkler, and gas shut-offs. During the New Home Presentation Classic shows you this room and points out the key controls you may need.
Water Shut-off
A water shut-off is a valve used to stop the flow of water — either the main water shut-off for the whole home, located in the mechanical room, or individual shut-offs serving specific fixtures and appliances. Classic identifies the main water, sprinkler, and gas shut-offs during the New Home Presentation so you can locate them in an emergency.
Floor Drain
A floor drain is a drain installed at floor level, commonly in the mechanical room or basement, that channels away water from spills, appliance leaks, or condensation. It is one of the items reviewed in the mechanical room during the New Home Presentation.
Air Cleaner
An air cleaner is a filtration device installed with the furnace to remove dust and airborne particles from the air circulating through the home's heating and cooling system. The furnace and air cleaner are reviewed in the mechanical room during the New Home Presentation.
Low Voltage Panel
A low voltage panel is a central hub that organizes and distributes the home's low-voltage wiring — such as telephone, internet, television/cable, and structured media connections. It is located in the mechanical room and reviewed during the New Home Presentation.
Electrical Panel
The electrical panel (or breaker panel) is the central box containing the circuit breakers that distribute power to the home's circuits and protect them from overload. Classic shows you the electrical panel and breakers, typically in the garage, during the New Home Presentation.
Circuit Breakers
Breakers, or circuit breakers, are the switches inside the electrical panel that automatically interrupt power to a circuit when it is overloaded or faults, and which you can reset manually. During the New Home Presentation you are encouraged to take a hands-on approach and flip breakers so you remember how they work.
Sump Pump
A sump pump is a pump installed in a sump pit, usually in the basement, that collects groundwater and pumps it away from the home to help prevent flooding. The sump pump and pit are reviewed during the basement portion of the New Home Presentation when applicable to your home.
Plumbing Clean-outs
Plumbing clean-outs are accessible, capped fittings in the drain plumbing that provide a way to clear blockages from the lines if they become clogged. Classic points out the plumbing clean-outs during the basement review of the New Home Presentation.
Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal is the motorized unit installed under the kitchen sink that grinds food scraps so they can be flushed down the drain. It is reviewed in the kitchen during the New Home Presentation, and you are encouraged to turn it on yourself as part of the hands-on walk-through.
Grout
Grout is the cement- or sand-based filler applied between tiles to seal the joints and hold the tile in place. Tile and grout are reviewed together in kitchens, baths, and other tiled areas during the New Home Presentation to confirm they are in good condition.
Attic Access
Attic access is the hatch, scuttle, or pull-down opening that allows entry into the attic. Classic shows you the attic access — commonly located in the garage or an upper-level ceiling — during the New Home Presentation.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are safety devices installed throughout the home that sense smoke and sound an alarm to warn of fire. They are checked on each level during the New Home Presentation.
Utility Meters
Utility meters are the devices that measure how much water, gas, or electricity the home uses. Classic points out the exterior utility meters and the water meter (in the mechanical room) during the New Home Presentation so you know where they are located.
Frost Penetration
Frost penetration is the depth to which freezing temperatures extend into the soil. Because frozen ground prevents certain outdoor work, frost penetration is one of the weather-related factors — along with temperature, precipitation, and the inspection process — that affects when seasonal work can be completed.