Updated: 28 June 2025 la 12:51. Articolul a fost revizuit pentru a reflecta informațiile disponibile la această dată.
Building a house is a complex process that requires planning, budgeting and adherence to essential steps. Whether you work with a specialist company or manage the project yourself, understanding the basic stages is vital to the project’s success. Here is a complete guide to the stages of building a house, from the foundation to the roof.
1. House design and obtaining a building permit
Everything begins with choosing a house design: bespoke or standard. You must work with an architect and a structural engineer to prepare the technical plans. This is followed by obtaining the building permit, a process involving documents such as the urban planning certificate, approvals, soil studies and other legal paperwork.
2. Setting out and excavating the foundation
On the authorised plot, the house’s exact position is marked out. The foundation excavation is carried out according to the depth and type of soil. This stage also involves pouring concrete into formwork and reinforcing the foundation for long-term stability.
3. Building the load-bearing structure
This is the house’s “skeleton”: support columns, beams, floor slabs and ring beams. Reinforced concrete and steel are used, and the quality of the work is essential to the safety of the building. This stage ends with pouring the slab above the ground floor, or above the upper floors where applicable.
Insulating the foundation (thermal and waterproofing)
Step 1: Foundation waterproofing
- Bituminous waterproofing (membrane or liquid mastic) is applied to the exterior of the foundation after the formwork is removed and the surface is cleaned.
- The waterproofing is protected with a drainage membrane or extruded polystyrene boards.
- A drainage system is installed at the base of the foundation to remove infiltrated water.
Step 2: Thermal insulation
- Extruded polystyrene (XPS) is applied to the outside of the foundation, usually in thicknesses of 5–10 cm.
- The XPS is bonded directly to the waterproofing, then protected with foil or a geotextile membrane.
- It is recommended that the insulation extend below slab level (above ground), including vertically and horizontally (under the slab, if a raft foundation is used).
4. External masonry and internal partitions
Walls made of AAC, brick or other thermal insulation materials are installed. After the exterior walls, work moves on to the internal partitions, according to the architectural plan. By the end of this stage, the house takes shape and its overall form becomes visible.
Insulating external walls
Common options:
- Expanded polystyrene (EPS) – the most widely used and affordable option.
- Rock wool – superior for sound insulation and fire resistance.
- Graphite polystyrene (EPS-G) – a premium version, more efficient than standard EPS.
The conventional method (ETICS system):
- Cleaning the wall
- Applying adhesive and installing thermal insulation boards
- Additional fixing with anchors
- Applying fibreglass mesh and base coat
- Decorative render or a ventilated façade
5. Installing the roof
A crucial stage in protecting the house. Rafters, the roof covering (tiles, metal sheeting, shingles, etc.) and the drainage system are installed. It is important that the roof is properly built to prevent water ingress and heat loss.
6. Electrical and plumbing installations
After the exterior joinery (doors and windows) is fitted, electrical and plumbing installations follow. Pipes, cables, sockets and circuits are installed, all in accordance with a specialist design. This is also the stage at which any smart-home systems, surveillance cameras, etc. are installed.
7. Interior and exterior finishes
Finishes are what turn a house into a home. Render, skim coat, washable paint, wall tiles, parquet flooring, floor tiles and the external insulation system, etc. are applied. This is also the stage at which sanitaryware, fitted furniture and major appliances are installed.
8. Final acceptance and moving in
At the end, the final acceptance of the works is carried out in accordance with the law. This involves checking the documentation, verifying that the work complies with the design, and obtaining the completion certificate. After acceptance, you can legally move into the house.
General tips for building a house:
- Plan your budget realistically, with a +10–15% reserve for unforeseen costs.
- Do not use undeclared tradespeople – you risk poor quality and legal problems.
- Request a warranty for the work and keep all paperwork in order.
- Carry out regular site inspections, even if you have a professional team.
- Always compare material offers, but do not sacrifice quality for price.
What is the best insulation, and why?
| Material | Main advantages | Where it is recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Extruded polystyrene (XPS) | Water resistance, high hardness, very good thermal insulation | Foundations, plinths, slabs, basements |
| Graphite polystyrene (EPS-G) | Low thermal conductivity, affordable price | External walls, especially in cold areas |
| Rock wool | Fire-resistant, excellent sound insulation, vapour permeability | Walls, ventilated façades, roofs |
| Polyurethane foam | Continuous insulation, excellent airtightness, quick application | Hard-to-reach areas, attics |
- For the foundation and plinth: extruded polystyrene (XPS) + bituminous waterproofing
- For external walls:
- If the budget allows: rock wool
- If you want high thermal performance: graphite EPS-G polystyrene
- For an effective compromise: EPS 80-100 with a minimum thickness of 10 cm
Important: All systems must be applied correctly, without thermal bridges (gaps between boards, interruptions at corners or unsealed joints).
Conclusion
Building a house is a journey full of challenges, but with careful planning and a good team of professionals, the dream of owning a home can become a reality. Following the construction stages and choosing the right materials are the keys to a successful project. If you are just getting started, consider building to the shell stage and completing the work in phases, according to your budget.
In the same context, see also XPS beneath a house slab: 5 cm, 10 cm or 15 cm? Grounding, waterproofing and 15 essentials for an efficient home, which presents additional relevant information.
