How long does it take to build a house?

Steps

1. 1

   Feasibility and program

   Weeks to a few months to align budget, brief, and site constraints before heavy design spend.

2. 2

   Design and documentation

   Often months—longer for complex sites or high-performance targets. Renovations can take longer to document than new builds.

3. 3

   Permitting

   Highly variable by jurisdiction; plan for review cycles, not a single submission date.

4. 4

   Construction

   Many custom homes run many months on site after permit; scope and trade availability dominate.

5. 5

   Closeout

   Inspections, punch list, and occupancy—often underestimated in homeowner expectations.