One of the biggest question homeowners have, apart from how much is this going to cost me, is how long is this going to take?

Gone are the days of the basic trussed rancher or 2-storey boxes that were mass produced in the late 70's / early 80's with next to know bylaws, bare-bones construction plans on demand, 1-2 day plan review and 4 month build time.

Thrown together in a short amount of time by developers with no consideration towards the construction, the energy efficiency, and design— how homeowners truly live. While I miss the simplicity, I don't miss the homes.

Here's the truth— 

Most custom homes take longer than you think.

Why? Because of all the detailed steps involved in the process. While we won’t cover each step here, you can get the full picture by downloading our free Home Project Process Guide & Checklist for a comprehensive breakdown.

Design

Planning takes time and most don’t understand its importance until it's too late. With proper planning, you can make informed decisions, prioritize goals, allocate resources effectively, and ensure a smooth, efficient build. From your vision to your project objectives, and additional documents and bylaws that direct the design, expect nothing less than 6 months. If you're looking to speed that up, you can look at your Architect/ural Designers past projects and see if any would work for you and your property. With minimal changes, this could save you months (and the cost of custom).

Depending on the size/scope of the project, expect 6-12(+) months to design.

Permits

The permitting process can be excruciating because no one likes to just wait. Once you've applied, find out how long permits are currently taking to be issued. While your team is taking care of anything that comes up during that process, you have a lot of work to do.Use this time to schedule your rough start date, lock-in your budget, get your interior design completed, take our 21-Day Decision Challenge and narrow down your decisions during the build, and get ready for the build.

Depending on the complexity of the City and permit demands, expect 6-12 months.

Build

Building a home may seem overwhelming, but your team has done this many times over. The site and house may be different, but the steps are the same. From the work you'll do with your Contractor (site visits, invoicing, inspections, etc.) to the build itself— excavation, foundation, framing, roofing and so on— enjoy them, and if you feel overwhelmed that’s what we’re here for.

Depending on the size/scope of the project, expect 1-2 years to build.

So now you know how long it takes to go from the initial design phase to the final build of your home project. While the timeline can feel overwhelming, being prepared and informed is half the battle. With the right resources and guidance, you can navigate the process smoothly and avoid unnecessary delays. Don't forget to grab our free Home Project Process Guide & Checklist to set yourself up for success from day one.

And if you’re ready to dive even deeper, our Home Hub offers the ultimate checklist and programs that guide you through every phase, from design to build, helping you stay organized and confident throughout your home project.