Building a custom home is an exciting process, but one of the first questions most homeowners have is: How long will it take?
For a typical custom home, Mountain View Building generally estimates about 4 to 8 months from groundbreaking to move-in, with approximately 5 months being a good average for a custom home build timeline. However, the overall process can take considerably longer when you include planning, design, permitting, and preparing the property before construction begins.
Here are some things to consider to help you have a better understanding of how long your custom home build will take.
The Custom Home Building Planning & Design Stage
Before any of the construction can actually begin, you and your custom home builder will need to figure out what exactly you want to build, finalize those plans, and get the property itself ready to go. This stage can vary dramatically from one homeowner to another.
Some people have a clear vision and are ready to move forward almost right away. Others take considerably longer to finalize their plans. When a change is made, it takes time for your builder to go back to the drawing board to put that plan together with design and building artifacts.
Either way, the planning stage is very important, no matter how long it takes to get the plan and design exactly as you want it. Taking the time to plan carefully can help avoid changes and delays once construction begins.
Permits & Pre-Construction Timeline Before a Custom Home Build
Permitting generally happens before groundbreaking. For a straightforward build without significant stormwater requirements, permits may be obtained in less than a month.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that the municipality for your property is unique from others. Some townships are much easier to work with while others may have specific additional requirements. Your property might also need complex stormwater management or a septic permit while others may not.
The condition of your site can also make a difference. For example, excavation may be delayed when winter weather leaves the ground too frozen to work.
Gathering a list of all of your unique property requirements and the guidelines from your municipality can help to speed up the permitting and pre-construction process to shorten the timeline for your custom home building project.
The Actual Construction Process in the Custom Home Building Timeline
Once you’re ready to break ground on your custom home build, the actual construction time for a typical home with Mountain View Building is about 5 months. 4 to 8 months is what we typically project as a broader look at things. That timeframe includes all of the major stages of construction from start to finish.
A highly customized or very complex home, such as one with a unique kitchen feature, may take longer, while a smaller, simpler ranch home build may be relatively quicker. These differences are typical and expected. There are several aspects particular to the project that can affect the timeframe including home size, design, site conditions, materials, weather and other factors. Your custom home builder can offer you a better estimate for a custom build timetable depending on the precise details of your construction project.
Be Realistic With the Timeline You Expect
Rather than planning around an exact date for moving into your new home, it’s better to think of the project in stages.
- Planning & design: can vary based on how quickly decisions are made and plans are finalized
- Permitting & pre-construction: often straightforward but keep the special requirements for your property from your municipality in mind
- Construction: anywhere from 4 to 8 months to complete from groundbreak depending on the complexity of your home
Learn More About a Custom Home Build Timeline From Mountain View Building
Get in touch today with Mountain View Building to start discussing your home build project. Once we know more about your wants and needs and the conditions of your property, we can give you an accurate estimate on how long we think your home build will take. Contact us today!
