The timeline for building a custom home typically takes longer than other home types. While the exact length depends on location and size, you can expect to wait an average of 12-18 months before moving into your dream home.
Another variable that many new homebuyers should account for is the current construction market. For instance, many areas are recently experiencing a construction material shortage.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index, 71 percent of general contractors are recently facing a shortage in at least one type of material. The most common is lumber, while also shortages in steel, electrical, and lighting supplies
While the current market is putting more pressure on homebuilders, there are still many reasons to be optimistic:
As you consider relocating to a new home, one of the questions you might ask is whether to buy or build.
The answer? Build a custom home.
Custom home builders team up with you to customize every inch of your new home.
Dennis Miller Homes, a St. George custom home builder, gives Southern Utah homebuyers the tools and services needed to bring their vision to life. As your custom home building partner, we will work with you to select the perfect lot, design the perfect plans, and build the perfect home.
Our unique home-building process also ensures an efficient custom home-building timeline. The process includes:
Along with a proven construction process, Dennis Miller Homes dedicates our custom home building services to providing experiences that will last a lifetime.
As you count on us to bring your dream home to life, we will give you complete control over every aspect of the building process. From selecting the materials to designing the floor plan, you have the final say in what stays and what goes.
Although the custom home building process isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, most custom home builders follow a similar timeline.
In short, the total construction of a custom home ranges from about 12-18 months. Along with building time, your will also need to account for design and plan approval time.
Typically, design takes an average of 2-3 months, while city/county approval can take 4-8 weeks.
After these steps, your custom home builder will begin the actual construction process, which can take about a year to 18 months.
To help you fully understand the average time to build a house, our team takes an in-depth look at the custom home building timeline step-by-step.
Before building a custom home, you must undergo the planning and design stage. You will need to select a lot to build your home. You will also need to find an architect, interior designer, and partner with a custom home builder, either simultaneously or after finding a lot.
After acquiring a place to build your custom home, you will work closely with your design team to develop a series of plans detailing the scope of your project.
Your architect and builder will work together to create a preliminary design that is both functional and beautiful. The builder then builds an estimate that is based on your budget and fits your needs.
While you and your interior designer make the first phase of design selections, your custom builder will provide a few different things. These include:
During this time, your builder or general contractor will also sign on subcontractors to install the major systems required in your new home plan.
The new construction phase will also include finalizing all remaining design decisions. Together, you will determine your flooring, cabinetry, lighting, and bathroom fixtures. It might be overwhelming, but your team will be by your side to help guide you to the best choice.
In total, the items finalized in the new home construction step includes developing:
Along with designing the home, your custom home building team will help you acquire all required approvals and permits. These will include:
Overall, this phase of the custom home build timeline will take 4-6 months.
Now that the design team completed your custom home plans, it will be time to pour the foundation. After preparing the site, your builder will begin to lay the foundation. Usually, site preparation only takes a few weeks.
Once the site is ready, your builder will pour concrete footers. Then, the next step will depend on whether your house calls for a basic slab foundation or a full basement layout.
The timeline for the foundation can range from 2-4 weeks, starting from the beginning of site prep to when the foundation fully cures.
Once your custom home has a strong foundation, it is ready for the frame. This is where the floor plans you spent weeks drawing with your architect and design team are put to the test.
Your builder will take those designs and erect the basic framework of the home, including the roof structure, internal walls, staircases, and more.
Throughout this phase of the process, you can rely on your builder and construction manager to oversee the project. They will work carefully to ensure that all the work goes smoothly and that there are no mistakes or rework required.
This stage is usually quick, but your custom home builder will keep you updated with a realistic timeline to keep your entire project on schedule and budget.
After the contracting team nails down the skeleton of the home to the foundation, it is time to install the major systems of your new home.
Most custom home builders hire subcontractors to complete the plumbing and electrical work on a custom home. These teams provide niche services that require extensive knowledge and skill to install.
At Dennis Miller Homes, we have a relationship with some of the top subcontractors in the southern Utah area. These long-standing relationships give our clients the utmost confidence that all the major systems in their new homes will run in tip-top shape for years to come.
The timeline you can expect for these different systems include:
Another factor you might want to consider when building a custom home is increasing system efficiency with energy-efficient construction. If you require such an elaborate system, your timeline may slightly increase.
Other variables in plumbing and electrical work that might affect your timeline include installing:
Altogether, this step in the custom home building process usually takes about four months to complete.
After your builder or subcontracting team finishes installing the wiring and plumbing throughout your new home, it is time to complete the design.
This next step in the custom home building process is all about finishes. From the drywall and interior finishes to the roofing and exterior finishes, your home building team will work hard to make your dream come to fruition.
During this phase, you can expect your building team to install several items, including:
Since the quality and complexity of a custom home design require a higher level of craftsmanship and materials than other home types, this phase of the process may take longer than usual.
An average custom home building timeline for these materials may look like this:
During this time, your custom home builder will keep you updated on your exact timeline, so you know what to expect.
The length of time it takes to build a new custom home usually takes less than two years, depending on various factors. Some of these variables include:
Contractor Recommendation: Make all your decisions ahead of time and stick to them to shorten the custom home building timeline.
If you are considering working with a St. George custom home builder, you may be asking, "What's the busy season?" Fortunately, St. George is one of the few places in Utah that doesn't experience any serious construction delays related to weather or season changes.
Southern Utah homebuyers aren't constricted to a certain building schedule. Unlike Utah homebuyers in the northern part of the state who experience frequent construction delays due to snow and rain, St. George's warm climate keeps things rolling year-round. In fact, our custom home builders work with ideal circumstances when building new homes.
So, whenever you want to build your new custom home in St George, Utah, Dennis Miller Homes will be ready to make it happen.
How to Build A Custom Home...Now
Begin the custom home building timeline by contacting Dennis Miller Homes today. Call us old-timers, but our custom home builders still believe in the fundamental qualities of any good business— honesty, communication, and genuine care. As the leading custom home building team in St. George, we know what it takes to build a southern Utah dream home.
Whether you are looking for a second home for vacations or a new family home for day-to-day living, Dennis Miller Homes is dedicated to making your home-building experience as stress-free as possible. Together, we will create a home that grows with you.
We offer custom home building services throughout southern Utah, including:
We understand that while every client has different needs, we can do our part to make our services equipped and ready to bring your dream home to life. Count on our 35 years of experience building custom homes in St. George to make your home building timeline quick, efficient, and fun.
