Here’s Exactly What to Expect During the Custom Homebuilding Process in Iowa.
Dreaming of a custom home often comes with one big question: “How long does the building process really take?” We all know that homes aren’t built in a day. But waiting can still be the hardest part of the process.
In more than two decades in the custom homebuilding business, we’ve gotten this question a lot. The short answer is: Every build is different because every home is different. However, there are some rules of thumb that can help you estimate how long it will take.
Some builders will tell you that uncertainty is just a part of the process, but we beg to differ. We take our building timelines seriously, providing you with an expected move-in date as soon as we break ground. Rather than settling for an up-in-the-air timeline, this gives you the clarity and peace of mind you deserve as you plan your move.
Let’s take a closer look at just how long it takes to build a custom home and the different factors involved in predicting your move-in date.
How Long Does It Usually Take to Build a Custom Home?
The average time to build a home from permitting to completion is about 10 months, according to the National Association of Home Builders. This does not count the steps that take place prior to permitting, such as initial homeowner meetings or design work. Factoring these in, it could run 18 or more months.
At KRM Custom Homes, we use our decades of industry expertise to move faster than the competition — without sacrificing quality. We typically see projects take seven to 12 months from our initial contact with the homeowner until move-in day. This is an all-inclusive timeline, including everything from the first meeting to drawing up the plans to the final walk-throughs.
On top of that, our team works to provide you certainty on every build by setting a guaranteed closing date when we break ground. This guarantees that you know when you will be able to move into your dream home, without the stress.
However, each custom home is unique, so the length of the construction process can vary based on several factors, such as:
- The size and complexity of the home: The number of stories, the total square footage, the type of architectural features involved, and more all play a role.
- The materials and finishes you choose: Some materials are more readily available than others. At KRM, we work with you to mitigate any supply chain issues.
- Building permit approval timelines: The time to approval can vary based on the city or rural location you’re building in.
- Unexpected weather delays: You can’t build a home in central Iowa without expecting some inclement weather – no matter the season. We factor this into our prediction from the start.
- Changes made to the design during construction: Modifying the plans will push back the completion date, but we will work to give you an estimate of what to expect.
Understanding the Custom Homebuilding Process & Timeline
Now, let’s take a closer look at the steps involved in the homebuilding process. For a more in-depth exploration, read our Complete Custom Home Builder Road Map for the Des Moines metro.
Pre-Purchasing Agreement Phase: 1 Week to as Long as Needed
This initial phase is where we hold our first meetings with you and learn all about your dreams. The length of this phase will vary. Some homeowners contact us months before they’re ready to sign a formal purchase plan. Others are ready to go right away and sign an agreement within a week!
The length of this phase will also depend on the number of follow-up meetings needed and the number of different design and pricing options requested to get everything just right. Essential elements of this phase include:
- Holding the initial homeowner meeting
- Securing financing
- Reviewing pricing
- Finalizing a lot
- Finalizing a floor plan
- Follow-up meetings
Permitting & Pre-Construction Phase: 1½ Months
This is the phase where your ideas begin to become reality! Once the purchase agreement is signed, we create a detailed plan for the project. This will prevent future delays and help us with an accurate timetable for your expected move-in date. This phase typically stretches for about 45 days, or a month and a half.
Essential elements of this phase include:
- Finalizing house plan
- Staking the lot and figuring out the layout on the siteplan
- Making all selections
- Approving all selections
- Permitting
Construction Phase: 4 to 7+ Months
With all of the approvals in place, the construction phase brings those plans to life. We will provide you with an estimated move-in date when we break ground and continue to keep you updated throughout the process. The process typically takes four to seven months, depending on the size of the home.
Parts of this phase include:
- Construction
- Electrical and trim walks
- Final quality check
- Homeowner orientation
- Closing date
How Can I Help Prevent Delays During the Homebuilding Process?
Our expert crews will work to minimize delays at each step of the building timeline. That said, there are some ways that our clients are able to help reduce stops in progress.
Those include:
- Communicating openly and on time: Quickly responding to questions from our team or reviewing documents for approval will help expedite the process. If any issues come up on a client’s end, it helps to communicate it as quickly as possible.
- Decisively selecting materials & finishes: Building a home includes a lot of decision-making. We walk each client through the material selection process to simplify it. Taking the time to be decisive at this part of the process will help eliminate delays and scope changes that result from switching materials or finishes later in the process.
- Understanding the lead times for materials: We help our clients understand the lead times that are required for acquiring certain materials for the project. Keeping these in mind during the selection process will help ensure the timeline flows smoothly.
Ready for a Different Kind of Custom Homebuilding Experience? Work With KRM.
Building a custom home is a huge life change, but that shouldn’t mean you’re stressed throughout the process. Get the expertise, the certainty, and the peace of mind you deserve by working with our expert custom home builders. Ready to talk about your dream home? Let’s get started.
