# How long does it take to build a custom home?

> The phases of a custom home from first sketch to move-in, and what makes each one faster or slower.

This is the plain-text version of https://blackstone.build/residential/journal/how-long-does-it-take-to-build-a-custom-home. To cite or link, use that page.

Schedule. February 24, 2026.

## The short answer

For a large custom home, plan on several months of design and pricing followed by a year or more of construction. The size of the house, the site, the materials and how quickly decisions are made all move that figure, and the design phase is where the schedule is most in your control.

## What happens before construction?

Design, pricing, engineering and permits. This phase is as long as the decisions take. Owners who settle the plan and the main selections early start building sooner and change less later.

## What are the phases of construction?

Site work and foundation come first. Framing follows, then the roof, windows and weather barrier that dry the house in. Plumbing, electrical and mechanical lines are run and inspected. Insulation and drywall close the walls.

Finishes take the longest: cabinetry, tile, stone, flooring, trim, paint, fixtures. The last weeks are for testing, cleaning and the punch list.

Photo: Exterior masonry and roofing continue while the interior is finished.

## What makes a build take longer?

Rock in the foundation, long spells of rain, hand-laid materials such as stone and slate, and items with long lead times such as windows and custom cabinetry.

Changes during construction cost the most time. One late decision can hold up several trades.

## What keeps a build on schedule?

Selections made before they are needed, long-lead items ordered early, and one clear schedule that the owner sees regularly. A builder involved during design can order windows and steel before the permit is issued.

## Common questions

### Can a custom home be built in under a year?

A smaller, simpler house on an easy lot can be. Large homes with stone, slate and extensive millwork take longer.

### When should I start if I want to move in by a certain date?

Work backward. Allow for construction, then for design and permits before it, and talk to a builder at the start of that window.

### What can I do to speed things up?

Make decisions early and avoid changing them. It is the largest schedule factor an owner controls.

## The project behind this post

- [Views on Lake Martin](https://blackstone.build/text/residential/projects/views-on-lake-martin): Lake House. Lake House on a Point.

From the [Residential Journal](https://blackstone.build/text/residential/journal).