The two most common questions we’re asked as custom homebuilders are: “What is this house going to cost me?” and "How long does it take to build a custom home?" The answer to both questions, of course, is: "It depends."
That’s part of the nature of the custom home-building process. Every project is unique, as are the steps to build a custom home. The short (and easy) answer is that you can probably count on the process taking many months, and the cost can range from $300,000 to more than $500,000.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Before discussing the exact average time to build a house, let's look at some factors that can impact the custom home-building process and how long it takes.
To answer the question: ‘How long does it take to build a custom home?’ – you need to understand the factors that can influence the home construction timeline. As custom home builders in Connecticut, we have experience crafting homes people love, so we have the experience to share the factors you need to know to prepare yourself
It’s probably stating the obvious, but the size of a home can influence how long it takes to build and how much it costs. Larger homes require more materials and labor. Fortunately, once you decide on your floor plan, an experienced builder should be able to provide you with a pretty accurate custom home construction schedule and cost estimate. That alone is one reason it’s important to build with an experienced builder like Sunwood.
All homes begin with a floor plan. For instance, at Sunwood, we offer 20 different floor plans from which to choose. But the beauty of a custom home is that it is tailored to your specific desires and needs. However, how much you change the basic floor plan can affect the time required to complete the home. It will take longer if a change to the original plan involves complex design and construction (for instance, unusual angles or ultra-customized features).
Not all lots are created equal. Some lots require extra excavation before the foundation can even be poured. If the lot you purchase needs an unusual amount of excavation before construction begins (due to slope or hidden obstacles), that can cause a delay in starting construction—and add to the time required to complete your home.
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Builders sometimes encounter material shortages. Generally, your builder will be aware of this before construction begins. Material shortages can significantly delay custom home construction by extending lead times for critical building materials. Builders may face challenges in sourcing specific products, leading to project slowdowns or requiring substitutions. These delays can disrupt the construction schedule, pushing back completion dates and potentially increasing overall costs.
Don’t get me wrong—we love to have homeowners involved in the process. After all, it’s your home! But sometimes homeowners aren’t aware of how their interactions can impact the building schedule. Here’s a brief look at a couple of areas where that happens.
Financing: It’s a good idea to have your financing before starting the home-building process. Don't let a delay in financing push your schedule back. Besides, knowing exactly what kind of loan you qualify for can help you select the right plan.
Finish Choices: With a custom home, you can choose the finishes for flooring, cabinets, countertops, and more. If you don't make those choices promptly, it can cause delays. Related to that, if you choose unusual or exotic materials, they may be harder to get or take longer to deliver.
Changes: Making changes to your original plan is part of building a new home. However, excessive changes can derail the schedule. This doesn’t mean you should never make changes. In fact, here’s a post about how changes and adding options are sometimes the smart thing to do. But it’s important to understand that these choices can impact your schedule.
So, how long will it take to build your custom home? That depends. If you’re working with a reliable and seasoned builder, they can give you a pretty accurate idea of how long things will take. However, the elements described above need to be factored into the equation. Some of them are out of your control, but there are places where, as the homeowner, you can expedite the process. If everything is considered, the average time to build a custom home can range between 12 and 18 months, if not a little longer.
When planning your custom home project, you must know common challenges that can extend your build time. Issues like weather delays, permit approval holdups, and coordination of subcontractors can all add days or even weeks to your custom home construction timeline. Additionally, unexpected complications with utilities, such as connecting water, electricity, and gas, can delay your move-in date unless planned effectively with a reliable builder.
Despite thorough planning, unforeseen problems can arise during the construction process. These include discovering hidden geological issues on your lot, such as unstable soil or unexpected bedrock, which may require additional engineering work.
Another common issue is the availability of specialized labor, mainly if your custom design includes unique architectural features that require artisans or tradespeople in high demand.
Moreover, unexpected changes in building regulations or zoning laws can introduce delays, as can issues with supply chain logistics that result in important materials arriving late.
Now that you know a bit more about the custom home build timeline and the cost of building a custom home, you’re likely eager to learn a few custom home building tips, and our team at Sunwood is more than happy to oblige. We have hundreds of actionable tips we can share that will help you during your home-building journey.
So, if you’re ready for some tips or want to learn more about how long it will take to build the custom home of your dreams in Connecticut, you can contact us here. Our builder team will help you start narrowing down the process.