Does building your forever home take…. forever? When you are within reach of making your dream a reality, it can be difficult to wait, especially if you are anticipating long months (or more?) as your custom house takes shape. 

It would be nice if you could skip straight from the idea/vision stage to the give-me-the-keys-we’re-moving-in stage! But since all that stuff in the middle is quite important, G&G strives to make the process as smooth, streamlined, and enjoyable as possible. So, how long does it really take to build a house – and how do you stay engaged throughout each phase?

The Custom Home Building Process (Don’t Worry – It Doesn’t Take as Long as You Think!)

The short answer: it will take about a year, give or take, to build a custom house. Let’s break it down:

Design and Pre-Construction: 1 -2 Months

Ideas, thoughts, questions, possibilities… short of move-in, this is one of the most exciting parts of the custom home building process. At G&G, you will work directly and one-on-one with owner Joe Garcia (Graduate Master Builder and Certified Green Professional). Gaining deep insight into what you want and need, we will work to bring your vision to life – and to ensure it fits within your budget.

During pre-construction, we will guide and support you as you make key decisions (e.g. layout, flooring, fixtures, fittings, etc.). This can feel intimidating at first: not only are there innumerable decisions to make, there are seemingly endless options for each! You are never alone: we will give you the information and advice you need. We emphasize opportunity, and work to minimize what could overwhelm you.

We will also be working behind-the-scenes to secure all necessary permits, making sure the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed.

Your job: Tell us your dreams. Ask your questions, discuss your concerns, collaborate with our team, reach out to Joe as you need…. Ask more questions! This is all about you.

If you are working with an interior designer, check out our helpful tips to make the most of your partnership.

"Ideas, thoughts, questions, possibilities… short of move-in, this is one of the most exciting parts of the custom home building process. At G&G, you will work directly and one-on-one with owner Joe Garcia (Graduate Master Builder and Certified Green Professional)."

Construction: 8 – 9 Months

Time to break ground! We have a plan; we have an excellent crew; we’ve scheduled our vetted and experienced subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors; we have permits. Now the fun begins (or continues!). At this point, we are hard at work putting hammer to nail. From foundation work to framing to finish work, your home is beginning to take shape.

Joe and the G&G team meticulously inspect progress to ensure work is up to our exacting standards, and we also call in the proper building inspectors to put the stamp of approval on your home.

Your job: Continue to ask questions and share your opinions/ideas. You can check the progress of your custom home project with our convenient web-based solution, BuilderTrend. This tool allows you to:

  • Access your building schedule
  • Check your project’s current status
  • Receive reminders of important dates and upcoming events/milestones
  • See and share photos of your project’s progress
  • Track spending and categorize expenses
  • Access key documents (e.g green building certifications, warranty information, etc.)
  • View and approve change orders (which we strive to keep to a minimum)
  • Message us – any time, from anywhere

Don’t forget, you can always give Joe a call if you have questions or concerns. He’s on it! And this is your house. Come by the jobsite and see what’s going on.

A Note on Building a Custom Home: Location!

If you have a lot on which you want to build, great! We will come check it out and integrate the property’s unique features into our plans. If you do not have a lot, great! G&G is a preferred builder in several beautiful communities. Chatham Hills, Holliday Farms, and Maple Ridge offer a host of excellent amenities to enhance your living experience.

Many people think they have to have a lot before they begin working on their custom home. This is not always the case; it is helpful to approach your builder first if you do not have a specific property in mind.

There you have it: that is the custom home building process in a nutshell. The only step left to take is to enjoy your forever home! G&G is here throughout every phase of your project – and after.

Ready to sit down and talk? Contact G&G Custom Homes today.

What does it cost to build a home? We've created a Budget Calculator to educate you on how the numbers typically break down, as well as provide some flexibility for you to prioritize the finishes that are most important to you.

build a custom house BuilderTrend custom home custom home builders custom home building custom home building process how long does it really take to build a house