The Custom Home Building Process

The building of a new custom home can be a very exciting time. As a homeowner, however, it can also be somewhat confusing unless you know what to expect and when. By better understanding the process of building a custom home, you can find answers to your questions and more fully enjoy this exciting time as your new home take shape from the ground up.

A custom home has many different components which all need to come together seamlessly to produce the finished product. In general, a custom home will take 8-10 months from permitting to move-in. In the timeline below we follow the process of building a custom home from the planning stages through the final closing and move-in.

PLANNING
- Determine where to build home
- Design home with architect
- Secure financing
- Find a contractor (or decide to owner build)
- Finalize home plans and plot plan on lot

PERMITTING
- Turn in permit application: plot plan, sealed architectural drawings, truss plans, energy calculations, subcontractor cards and recorded Notice of Commencement

CONSTRUCTION
- Place foundation: underground A/C, electric and plumbing
- Set up walls
- Set trusses
- Dry in house: roof, windows and extensor doors
- Rough framing, interior walls
- Rough in: A/C, plumbing, electric and gas (if required)
- Finish outside walls: stucco, etc.
- Insulate walls
- Hang and finish drywall
- Install millwork: interior doors and trim
- Paint interior
- Install floor tile and wall tile
- Set cabinets
- Paint exterior

FINISHING TOUCHES
- Final trim out: electric, A/C, plumbing and appliances
- Pour drives and sidewalks
- Install landscaping
- Install finish flooring: carpet, etc.
- Final touch-up, punch list and inspection
- Final closing with lender
- Move in and live happily ever after