The decision to build a custom home is a big one. Once you have decided that the time is right, the anticipation of getting to live in your dream home can make it difficult to wait for your house to be complete. Generally, it can take 7 to 12 months to complete a custom home build. The length of time can vary depending on a number of factors.
When meeting with your design and construction team, you will get an estimated construction schedule based on the details of your project – such as the size of your house and the need to clear the land before breaking ground. Over the course of construction, factors such as change orders and bad weather can cause delays. We will keep you updated on progress throughout construction, working hard to make sure that we get your house built right – and on time.
Carl Deputy and Son Builders constructs both new semi-custom and custom homes in Kent County, Sussex County, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. We pride ourselves not only on building premium custom homes but in working collaboratively with homeowners so they always know what to expect. While we can’t always control the length of time that it takes to complete your house, we can promise that we will work hard to build you a beautiful home and keep you updated throughout each stage of construction. Reach out today to talk to a Delaware custom home builder about buying land and building a house.
Have questions about building a home or making home renovations? Sometimes talking directly to an expert is easier than reading a post. Speak with a builder at Carl Deputy & Son Builders > (302) 284-3041
Average Time It Takes To Build A Custom Home
On average, building a fully customized home could take anywhere from 7 to 12 months. Of course, this is just an average estimate, and the duration of construction can vary based on the specific details surrounding your home. We’ll always provide you with a more personalized estimate when you request a quote from us.
Factors That Affect How Long It Takes To Build A Custom Home
The timeline for the completion of any custom home build will be based on various factors at each stage of the process.
Selecting a Plot of Land
If you already own land, then your contractor can work with you to determine the steps necessary to prepare the lot for construction. If you need to buy land, our team can help you select a property that won’t need extensive work (which can add more time to your construction timeline). We also offer lots for sale where you can build a house, without any need to prepare the land.
Designing Your House
Part of the fun of building a custom house is that you get to pick every aspect of your home, from the floor plan and layout to the finishes. Of course, this can take some time – particularly if you are having difficulty deciding between options. Our design team is skilled at advising clients based on our experience and nearly 40 years of work in the field.
Obtaining Financing
Many homeowners need to get a loan for the purchase of land and then for the construction. If you don’t have a lender in mind, we can recommend one for you. The process of obtaining financing can take some time, depending on multiple factors.
Permitting
Before construction can begin, you will need to obtain the appropriate building permits. Sussex County and Kent County both require homeowners to obtain building permits for new construction, in addition to any local license or permits required by your city or town. Construction in coastal communities may require additional permitting. Our experienced project managers will work with you to secure the necessary building permits before construction begins.
Preparing the Land
Many plots of land require some work – such as tree removal and grading – before construction can begin. If the land is raw/undeveloped, it may also be necessary to tie into water, electric, and other utility lines. We may even need to build a driveway or other access to the plot of land before construction begins.
Construction
Once the permits are in order and the land is prepared, your construction team will get to work building your house. The time that it takes to complete a custom house – from prepping the foundation to putting on the final coat of paint – will depend on the scope of the project. A smaller custom home could be completed in as little as 5 to 6 months, while a larger or more complex home might take longer to finish.
During initial meetings with our design and construction experts, we will walk through each step of the process with you and talk about the specifics of your project. We will base our schedule on your unique construction plans, taking into account factors such as the need to clear the land and the permitting process in your area. We always do our best to stick to this schedule and keep you updated along the way about any potential delays.
What Can Cause a Delay in the Construction Process?
It isn’t uncommon for there to be delays in the construction process. Residential construction involves many different moving parts, from working with various subcontractors and tradespeople to getting permits to obtaining materials. It is also often affected by factors entirely outside of anyone’s control – such as weather.
While we do our best to stick as closely as possible to the construction schedule, there are some things that can push back the construction timeline. This includes:
- Permits: Getting a permit requires submitting paperwork and forms to local government agencies (and in some cases, to a state agency). While the process is usually smooth, there can be holdups due to clerical errors, backlogs, and other factors. This may add a few days or even a few weeks to the construction schedule.
- Change orders: As construction progresses, it is not uncommon for homeowners to have a new idea or to rethink some aspect of their home’s design. You may also decide that you simply don’t like something after doing a muddy boots tour. Depending on where the builders are in the construction process, it can take additional time to change the design plan. Generally, the sooner you can get any change orders in, the less time it will take to implement the new plan.
- Weather: In Delaware, we have all 4 seasons – which means that construction may be delayed due to rain, snow, ice, or subzero temperatures. Even in warmer months, inclement weather (such as thunderstorms) can delay construction. These delays are more likely in the earlier phases of construction when your team is still constructing the shell of the house.
- Environment: If you choose raw or unimproved land for your house, then the construction crew will have to prepare it for building. There can often be unexpected issues with this process, such as if large rocks or tree roots have to be removed from subsurface soil. In many situations, having a site analysis and soil testing can help you plan appropriately for these issues.
- Labor: People in the construction industry are often self-employed, going from job to job to fill their schedules. While a general contractor will plan the construction schedule to minimize waiting for the next subcontractor to be available, problems or delays on other jobs can affect this schedule. For example, if the electrician is working on a different site and the job is taking longer than anticipated, it might mean that they can’t get to your construction site on time, which might hold up other aspects of the construction process.
- Supplies: Many factors – from natural disasters to transportation mishaps – can impact the supply chain. Increased demand during peak construction months can also make it harder to get materials. Your project manager will keep you updated about any delays in getting materials.
As the homeowner, there are some things that you can do to reduce delays. The most important thing is to keep the lines of communication with your builder open. This will ensure that you know what is going on – and that you get any change orders in as soon as possible.
At Carl Deputy & Son Builders, we do our best to keep to the construction schedule – without ever cutting corners. While some delays are outside of our control, we work hard to get your house built on time so that you can start enjoying your new custom home. We pride ourselves on our customer service so that our clients are always kept in the loop and know what to expect – including any changes to the construction timeline.
Get Started on Your Custom Home in Delaware
Building a custom home is a dream for many people – and one that isn’t achieved overnight. A high-quality custom house will take some time to build. Understanding the process – and what can affect the timeline – will help you have realistic expectations going into construction.
Since 1986, Carl Deputy and Son Builders has worked with homeowners in Kent and Sussex Counties in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland to build beautiful custom homes. We also build semi-custom homes and renovate existing homes for our clients throughout the region. We work hard to meet our customers’ high expectations for superior craftsmanship and outstanding customer service.
If you’re considering building a custom home in Delaware, we can help. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with a member of our team, give us a call at 302-284-3041 or fill out our online contact form.
