Residential construction is the process of building, expanding, renovating, or repairing properties designed primarily for people to live in. It can include custom homes, new single-family houses, townhouses, apartments, home additions, whole-home renovations, and smaller remodeling projects.
The U.S. Census Bureau classifies residential building construction as work involving the construction, remodeling, and renovation of single-family and multifamily residential buildings. It also separates residential projects from buildings used primarily for commercial, industrial, or institutional purposes.
For homeowners and property owners in Longview and surrounding East Texas communities, residential construction may involve building a house from the ground up, modifying an existing floor plan, replacing aging materials, or improving part of a property to make it more functional.
What Types of Projects Are Considered Residential Construction?
Residential construction is a broad category. It includes much more than constructing a traditional detached house.
Common residential construction projects include:
- Custom home construction
- New single-family homes
- Spec homes
- Build-to-rent homes
- Townhouses
- Duplexes and certain multifamily properties
- Home additions
- Whole-home renovations
- Kitchen remodeling
- Bathroom remodeling
- Structural repairs
- Roof installation and replacement
- Framing and carpentry
- Cabinet and countertop installation
- Exterior improvements
The Census Bureau includes new houses and townhouses built for sale or rent within its single-family residential construction classification. New apartments and condominiums are generally classified as multifamily residential construction.
KRL Construction & Development provides residential services that include custom home building, new construction, remodeling, roofing, building and framing, carpentry, painting, fencing, retaining walls, sod installation, and cabinet and countertop work.
What Is New Residential Construction?
New residential construction refers to the creation of a new housing unit rather than the modification of an existing one.
According to the Census Bureau, the broad statistical process for new residential construction includes housing units that have been authorized, started, placed under construction, and completed. A new single-family housing start is recorded when excavation begins for the home’s footing or foundation.
A new-home project may involve:
- Evaluating the land
- Developing or selecting a floor plan
- Establishing construction specifications
- Preparing the property
- Constructing the foundation
- Framing the structure
- Installing the roof and exterior materials
- Completing plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work
- Adding insulation and drywall
- Installing cabinets, countertops, flooring, and fixtures
- Painting and completing finish work
- Conducting inspections and a final walkthrough
The exact order and requirements can vary based on the property, design, local rules, weather, material availability, and construction agreement.
KRL Construction describes its new-construction service as a complete process extending from planning through project completion.
What Is Custom Residential Construction?
Custom residential construction involves building a home around the owner’s property, preferences, and approved project plans.
A custom home may allow the owner to make decisions about:
- The floor plan
- Number and arrangement of rooms
- Storage
- Exterior appearance
- Roofing design
- Cabinets and countertops
- Flooring
- Lighting
- Plumbing fixtures
- Interior finishes
- Outdoor living areas
- Accessibility features
Custom construction does not mean every component must be unusual or expensive. It means the plans and selections are developed for the particular project instead of requiring the owner to accept a completely predetermined home.
KRL Construction identifies itself as a custom home builder in Longview, Texas, specializing in new construction, remodeling, and custom building projects for homes and businesses.
Is Remodeling Part of Residential Construction?
Yes. Residential construction includes remodeling, renovation, additions, alterations, and major repairs to existing homes.
The Census Bureau’s residential building classification includes companies primarily responsible for both new construction and the remodeling or renovation of residential properties.
Remodeling may involve changing the appearance of a space, improving its functionality, repairing deterioration, or modifying the layout.
A kitchen remodel could include cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, painting, plumbing fixtures, and changes to the room’s layout. A whole-home renovation may involve several rooms and require coordinated work from carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, flooring installers, and other trades.
KRL Construction offers kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home remodeling services tailored to the needs of the property owner.
What Is the Difference Between Residential and Commercial Construction?
The primary difference is the building’s intended use.
Residential construction focuses on properties where people live. Commercial construction generally concerns buildings where companies provide goods, services, office space, hospitality, or other business activities.
Residential properties may include:
- Detached houses
- Townhouses
- Duplexes
- Apartments
- Condominiums
- Rental homes
Commercial properties may include:
- Offices
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Warehouses
- Medical offices
- Service businesses
Residential and commercial projects may use some of the same materials and trades, but they can have different design requirements, occupancy rules, accessibility standards, fire-protection systems, permitting procedures, and construction methods.
The project should be classified according to its actual use and the requirements that apply in the jurisdiction where it is located.
KRL Construction serves homeowners, businesses, and property owners with residential and commercial construction services.
Who Is Involved in Residential Construction?
A residential construction project may involve many people and companies. The number of participants depends on the project’s size and complexity.
The project team may include:
- The property owner
- A home builder or general contractor
- An architect or residential designer
- An engineer
- Surveyors
- Material suppliers
- Equipment operators
- Concrete professionals
- Framers
- Roofers
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- HVAC contractors
- Insulation installers
- Drywall installers
- Painters
- Carpenters
- Flooring installers
- Cabinet installers
- Inspectors
A homeowner may not communicate directly with every trade. A builder or general contractor commonly coordinates the participants, schedules the phases of work, orders materials, monitors progress, and provides a main point of communication.
This coordination is particularly important because one phase can affect the next. Framing must be positioned correctly before mechanical systems and finishes can be installed. Delays or errors during an early stage may affect several later stages.
What Are the Main Stages of Residential Construction?
Although every project is different, residential construction can generally be divided into four broad stages.
Planning and Design
During planning, the owner and builder discuss the property, desired result, floor plan, features, priorities, schedule, and project scope.
For a new home, this stage may involve surveys, plans, engineering, material specifications, utility considerations, and an evaluation of the building site. For remodeling, it may include inspecting the existing structure and determining which components will remain or change.
Preconstruction
Preconstruction prepares the project for physical work. Depending on the job, this phase may include finalizing the agreement, confirming selections, ordering materials, arranging permits, scheduling subcontractors, and preparing the site.
Important decisions should be documented before construction begins. Unresolved plans or material selections can affect estimates, orders, and scheduling.
Physical Construction
This is the stage when the planned work is performed.
For a new home, physical construction may include site work, foundation construction, framing, roofing, exterior installation, mechanical systems, insulation, drywall, cabinets, flooring, painting, and finish carpentry.
For remodeling, the work may begin with demolition and repair before moving into reconstruction and finishing.
Inspection and Completion
The final stage may include required inspections, corrections, testing, cleaning, a walkthrough, and completion of remaining items.
The owner should compare the completed project with the approved plans, specifications, selections, and written agreement. Any unfinished or corrective items should be documented clearly.
KRL Construction’s published process includes contacting the company, discussing the project’s goals and timeline, receiving a plan and estimate, and moving into project completion.
Does Residential Construction Require Permits?
Some residential projects require building permits and inspections, while others may not. The answer depends on the type of work, the location of the property, and the applicable local requirements.
New homes, structural additions, major electrical changes, plumbing work, HVAC installation, and substantial alterations commonly receive more regulatory review than minor cosmetic improvements.
Property owners should not assume that rules are identical throughout Texas. A property inside city limits may be subject to different procedures from one in an unincorporated area. Subdivisions and homeowners associations may also impose additional restrictions.
Before work begins, ask the builder or contractor:
- Which permits apply?
- Who will obtain them?
- Which inspections are required?
- Which trades need regulated professionals?
- Are there neighborhood restrictions?
- Who will address inspection corrections?
Texas has an established residential construction industry that includes builders, remodelers, developers, suppliers, and specialty professionals. The Texas Association of Builders also maintains resources and contracts intended to address current Texas residential construction requirements.
How Long Does Residential Construction Take?
There is no universal residential construction timeline.
A small painting or cabinet project may require considerably less coordination than a whole-home remodel. A complete custom home requires planning, site work, multiple trades, inspections, deliveries, and many owner selections.
The schedule may be affected by:
- Project size
- Design complexity
- Site conditions
- Weather
- Material availability
- Permit processing
- Inspections
- Subcontractor scheduling
- Utility work
- Owner-requested changes
A responsible builder should discuss the anticipated schedule while explaining that certain factors may change as the project develops. Homeowners should be cautious of promises that do not account for the actual plans, property, and scope.
How Do You Choose a Residential Construction Company?
Selecting a residential construction company should involve more than comparing advertisements or choosing the lowest proposal.
Look for a company with experience relevant to the type of work you need. A contractor that performs small repairs may not have the same systems required to manage a complete custom home.
Before hiring a company, review:
- Comparable completed projects
- Customer references
- Insurance information
- Written estimates
- Project exclusions
- Material allowances
- Payment terms
- Change-order procedures
- Communication practices
- Permit responsibilities
- Inspection procedures
- Project-management experience
Ask who will supervise the project and how often you will receive updates. You should also understand which work the company performs directly and which portions will be assigned to subcontractors.
A detailed written scope gives both parties a clearer understanding of the expected work.
Residential Construction in Longview, Texas
Residential construction in East Texas can include new custom homes, rental properties, remodels, repairs, roofing, framing, exterior improvements, and interior finish work.
The requirements of each project depend on the land, existing structure, design, utilities, drainage, access, materials, and intended use of the property.
KRL Construction & Development is based in Longview and serves surrounding East Texas communities within approximately 60 miles. Its stated service area may include Tyler, Marshall, Carthage, Henderson, and nearby locations.
The company works on residential and commercial projects ranging from smaller updates to large-scale builds. Its residential offerings include custom home construction, new homes, spec homes, build-to-rent projects, remodeling, roofing, framing, and related property improvements.
What Is Residential Construction?
Residential construction is the building, renovation, addition, or repair of properties intended for people to live in. It includes both new housing and improvements to existing homes.
A residential project can be as focused as replacing cabinets or as extensive as constructing a complete custom home. The work may involve one specialty contractor or a coordinated team of builders, subcontractors, designers, suppliers, and inspectors.
For property owners in Longview and East Texas, the first step is defining what the project needs to accomplish. The property, plans, materials, schedule, and construction responsibilities can then be reviewed before a detailed estimate and agreement are prepared.
KRL Construction & Development works with customers to discuss their goals, needs, and timeline before developing a project plan and estimate. That planning process helps establish a clear foundation for residential construction, whether the project involves a new home, remodel, structural improvement, or another property upgrade.