Most of the people that intend to start building a custom home for themselves usually don’t know exactly the how the entire process works, and often find themselves wondering about the correct steps in completing it or the timeline of these steps. Although each home-building process may have some variation in the stages based upon factors such as location and weather, for the most part, the process moves in a step-by-step fashion.
Some people might choose to merge some of these steps or switch their order, but the correct ones in a typical custom home process are as follows:
1. Decide you’re ready to tackle the custom home process.
2. Meet with financial experts and get organized.
3. Prepare cash flow with financing on your existing house.
4. Find land and make an offer.
5. Obtain land financing.
6. Close escrow on the lot.
7. Get surveys and soil reports.
8. Get well and septic approvals if required.
9. Interview and pick an architect, if applicable.
10. Create the house’s preliminary design.
11. Get zoning and design review approval.
12. Pick all your fixtures and materials.
13. Submit the plans for building approval.
14. Make the required plan changes.
15. Put the plans out to bid with contractors.
16. Interview and choose a contractor.
17. Apply for a construction loan.
18. Get an appraisal based on future value.
19. Get final approval for permits and pay fees.
20. Close escrow on the construction loan.
21. Set up disbursement account.
22. Set up communications with contractor and subs.
23. Prepare the building site for work.
24. Grade and/or excavate the property.
25. Trench for foundation, water, and sewer.
26. Pour the concrete for foundation and let cure.
27. Frame the exterior.
28. Frame the interior.
29. Install the windows.
30. Install the fireplaces.
31. Install the rough HVAC.
32. Install the rough plumbing.
33. Install the rough electrical.
34. Install the roof.
35. Install the outer sheathing.
36. Apply the exterior siding or stucco and paint.
37. Install the drywall.
38. Install the cabinetry and millwork.
39. Install tile, counters, moldings, and finish carpentry.
40. Install the doors.
41. Paint the interior and finish woodwork.
42. Install the plumbing fixtures.
43. Install the electrical fixtures and hardware.
44. Install the flooring.
45. Request the final loan disbursement.
46. Request final inspection and receive certificate of occupancy.
47. Roll to permanent financing.
48. Install the landscaping, including deck, pool, spa, and so on.
49. Sell your old house.
50. Move in.
When it comes to the timeline of such a project, things are also very subjective, since the process depends on a wide variety of factors. These factors can affect the time frame that the
overall project can stretch from six months to six years.
Although some of the steps mentioned above might be skipped, the whole process can be divided into four typical rough timelines.
- Land acquisition
Since land is hard to find, the exact duration of this step is hard to estimate and it depends upon the availability of land in the area you desire, ranging between three and nine months for finding it and another 30 days to six months for purchasing it.
- Custom home design and approval process
This stage usually lasts between three and six months, but can also extend to around two years in some cases. The design and approval process requires that everything goes perfectly and you can quickly make your choices.
- Construction
This phase depends on the availability of labor and the size of the project. Smaller houses or kit homes may go up in six to nine months, while large detailed mansions may need 18 months.
- Landscaping and moving in
This last stage is very subjective, depending entirely on your specific preferences. You may be required to finish landscaping in some neighborhoods within a year of completion, but the average duration of this stage is less than six months.
This being said, it would be advisable however to be patient and take your time in building your dream custom home since want to have a house you love for the rest of your life rather than years of regret because you rushed everything.