The days when individuals build house by themselves have long since passed. Building a house is now a team effort. General contractors hire skilled contractors who specialize in the various phases of construction. Part of the job of the general contractor is to develop a schedule for building a house so that each subcontractor specialist is there to perform each given task at the right time.

Who are some of the players? First, someone has to excavate the lot, digging a hole for the foundation. Next, a subcontractor has to pour the footings, on which the house will rest. A subcontractor will then place the foundation on top of the footings.

Once the foundation is in place, a new group of subcontractors comes to the site. Someone has to frame the house, which is the skeleton that provides the supports for the interior and exterior walls, the flooring and the roof. A siding contractor is needed to install the exterior siding material. A roofing subcontractor needs to apply the shingles or other roofing materials. Someone needs to install the windows and doors to finish closing up the house.

When the house is closed up there is still a lot interior work to be done. An electrical subcontractor needs to install all of the necessary wiring. A plumbing subcontractor installs the pipes for the water system. And a specialist needs to install the heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) system. As houses have become larger and more complex , many of these trades require a greater level of expertise than in bygone generations.

The house is now ready for the finishing touches. Once the plumbing, electrical and HVAC work is installed, a subcontractor comes in to install insulation. Another must hang the interior walls and ceiling These then have to be painted by another sub. The cabinets and appliances for the kitchen need to be installed. The flooring and carpeting need to be laid. Once again, these tasks must be scheduled in the correct order.

Subcontractors also work on the outside of the house. Someone must grade and landscape the property. Houses with driveways and decks may have still other subcontractors who come to the site.

As houses have become larger and filled with more features and options for people's comfort, house construction has become more specialized. Nonetheless, more than one of these tasks may be performed by a particular subcontractor .

This large team of different trades people who participate in the construction of new homes is good news for local economies. All of these subcontractors are earning wages, paying taxes, and spending money in their communities. The money is spread out rather than concentrated and can create an economic ripple effect. That's a good reason to want to see new houses built in community and to support you local "home team."