Timeline: What Happens Before Construction Starts
Before ground is ever broken, a custom home goes through a structured planning phase. Understanding this timeline helps homeowners feel prepared, informed, and confident as decisions take shape.
Why the Pre-Construction Phase Matters
The quality of the planning phase directly impacts the experience during construction. A well-paced pre-construction process creates alignment on scope, budget, and expectations before work begins on site.
The more clarity achieved before construction, the fewer surprises occur once the build is underway.
A Typical Pre-Construction Timeline
While every project varies, most custom homes follow a similar sequence before construction officially begins.
Goals, priorities, timeline, and overall expectations are discussed. This stage helps determine whether the project is a good fit before moving forward.
Floor plans are created or refined to align with lifestyle needs, site conditions, and architectural intent.
Early pricing is developed using known scope and reasonable allowances for selections not yet finalized.
Surveys, elevations, drainage, soil conditions, and utility access are reviewed to confirm site-related requirements.
Key design decisions and selections are confirmed so costs become more defined and accurate.
Permits are secured, schedules are aligned, and the project transitions confidently into construction.
Common Timeline Questions
These are some of the most common questions homeowners ask during the planning and pre-construction phase.
How long does pre-construction take?
It varies by project complexity, but most pre-construction phases take several weeks to a few months depending on decisions and approvals.
Can construction start before everything is selected?
Some selections can finalize later, but major scope and cost drivers should be confirmed before construction begins.
Why not rush this phase?
Rushing pre-construction often leads to changes, delays, and added stress once construction is underway.