So you’ve decided to take the leap and hire custom home builders to build a new house!
Maybe you’re fulfilling a lifelong dream of choosing a piece of land and designing a
home that your family will cherish for generations. Maybe you can’t find any houses for
sale that you like due to the ongoing housing shortage in the United States. But no
matter what has brought you to this point, you’re probably wondering one major thing:
just when, exactly, is my new home going to be ready?
It's no secret that building a house from scratch is a lengthy process. You should expect
that it will take about two years to go from the first planning session to move-in day. The
actual construction phase – the time between breaking ground and completing the
house – depends on multiple factors and could take months or weeks. Square footage,
lot size, conditions, design complexity, and design changes in the future can all play a
part in slowing down or speeding up the process.
At Artisan Constructors, we are custom home builders committed to keeping our
projects on schedule. To do this, we plan each project carefully, taking into account the
size of the home and the complexity of the design in order to develop a realistic
timeline.
It’s also important to recognize that, as the homeowner, your primary role in the
construction process is to make decisions. You’ll have to choose between different
building materials and design elements at every phase of the project. At Artisan
Constructors, we partner with our clients by giving them clear instructions regarding
what decisions they need to make and when. By completing crucial decisions on time,
you can help prevent unnecessary delays.
Artisan Constructors divides each project into seven phases: pre-construction planning;
site preparation and foundation; framing; mechanical and roofing; exterior finishes and
insulation; interior finishes; and final touches. The first phase, pre-construction planning,
is usually the longest.
Pre-Construction Planning
For custom homes this phase can last anywhere from six to nine months. You’ll start by
meeting with architects and builders as you work to finalize a home design and budget.
We highly recommend that you include your general contractor in discussions with your
architect as early as possible. That way, the contractor can make sure that all proposed
ideas fit within your budget and can be completed according to best-value construction
practices.
During the planning phase, your contractor will obtain permits from your county or local municipality to ensure that the project will follow established building codes. They’ll also
examine the building site and identify problems that need to be addressed before
construction can begin. If there will be any issues connecting the property to utilities or
digging a well for water access, it’s crucial to know right away.
Site Preparation and Foundation
Once permits have been pulled and the property has been approved for building, your
team can finally get to work. They’ll start by clearing trees from the construction site and
excavating a space for the basement. Next, they’ll pour the concrete footings and
foundation, which will provide support for the entire home. To protect your new
foundation from cracks caused by water seepage, the team will also install drain tile and
other waterproofing measures, such as a sump pump.
Your utilities, including electric, water, and septic, will also be installed or connected at
this time.
The entire site preparation and foundation phase usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks.
Framing
Over the next 8 to 10 weeks, a team of carpenters will assemble the frame of the house.
Using wood, they’ll build a structure to support the walls, floor, and roof. This is the part
where you can see the house starting to take shape, especially once the exterior doors
and windows are installed. Even though much of the house will look like a jungle gym of
wooden boards, you’ll finally be able to walk through your new front door!
Mechanical and Roofing
During this phase, utilities are installed throughout the frame. This process is also called
“rough-in.” Plumbers will install pipes for sewage and water and connect them to the
rooms designated as the kitchen and bathrooms. HVAC technicians will build a system
of ductwork for heating and cooling, and electricians will lay wires and install a panel to
ensure each room can access electricity.
The roof and any fireplace inserts will also be installed at this time. The entire
mechanical and roofing phase should take about 4-6 weeks.
Exterior Finishes and Insulation
Lasting from 4 to 6 weeks, this phase is when the exterior of the house really comes
together. Siding, brick, and stonework will be installed according to your design for the
home, along with gutters to keep your new roof and walls safe from rainwater. When
this phase is completed, you’ll finally be able to see the house that you’ve been
picturing for so long.
Inside the house, the team will be busy adding insulation and drywall. From now on, the house will have clearly-defined rooms, all of them waiting to be decorated.
Interior Finishes
This is another long phase, lasting from 12 to 16 weeks. Even though the major exterior
work is over, there are myriad tasks to complete indoors that will transform your house
from an empty shell into the warm, welcoming space you’ve dreamed about. The walls
will be painted, and trim and baseboards will be applied. You’ll also get flooring, whether
you’ve chosen hardwood, carpet, tilework, or some combination of these.
If you were especially excited to design your kitchen, this is the moment when it will be
brought to life. All of the cabinets, appliances, tilework, and countertops will be installed,
ready for cooking and entertaining. Countertops will also be installed in the bathrooms,
as well as mirrors, lighting, and other hardware throughout the home.
Final Touches
At this point, the house is almost ready. Only a few things are left to do over the next 4
to 6 weeks. The driveway will be laid out, and a gardening team will add landscaping
and irrigation. The house will need to go through a series of final inspections to make
sure all work and utility installations were completed according to code. Your contractor
will also be sure to address any punch-list items, or blemishes and errors that occurred
during construction.
After one last cleaning, your house will be finished. All that’s left for you to do is move
in, unpack, and enjoy.
Factors that Impact the Timeline
Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts and intentions, issues can come up with
custom built homes that disrupt the schedule. Weather, for instance, is a major variable
for construction crews. It can be difficult or even dangerous to work in rain, snow, and
excessive heat or cold. Building phases that take place outside, such as excavation,
framing, and exterior finishing, will proceed more slowly in times of extreme weather.
Supply chain issues can also slow down your timeline, especially if you’re importing
specialty windows or other custom fixtures. In addition, if your design includes intricate
details or complex architectural features, it may take more time to complete.
There’s no doubt about it: building a custom home is a lengthy, challenging process. But
with the right team on your side, it can be an exciting, rewarding time for you and your
family.
Your Custom Home Builders
If you want to learn more about how Artisan Constructors helps clients build their dream
homes as smoothly as possible, schedule a free consultation today.
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