How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home
Building a custom home in Austin typically takes 10 to 14 months from initial design through move-in. This timeline breaks into three distinct phases: planning and preparation (1-3 months), design and permitting (2-4 months), and construction (6-10 months). Understanding what drives these timelines helps you plan realistically and identify which factors you can control.
This guide explains what happens during each phase, shows you what affects construction speed, and reveals how Mission Home Builders structures projects to deliver on time without cutting corners.
The Complete Custom Home Timeline
Total timeline: 10-14 months
| Phase | Duration | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| Planning & Preparation | 1-3 months | Lot selection, financing, vision clarification |
| Design & Permitting | 2-4 months | Architectural plans, interior selections, permit approval |
| Construction | 6-10 months | Foundation through final walkthrough |
Mission Home Builders targets an 8-month construction phase for standard custom homes once permits are approved. A 2,500 sq ft single-story home on a flat lot may complete in 7 months, while a 5,000 sq ft hillside home with extensive custom work may extend to 10 months.
The most important factor: how thoroughly you prepare before construction starts. Rushing through design or skipping proper planning creates delays that erase any time saved.
Phase 1: Planning and Preparation (1-3 Months)
Vision and Priorities (2-4 Weeks)
Custom home building starts with clarity about what you actually need. Mission Home Builders begins every project understanding your lifestyle needs, architectural preferences, space requirements, and long-term goals.
Key questions:
How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need now and in the future?
What spaces matter most? (Larger kitchen vs. formal dining, home office vs. media room)
What's your realistic total project budget including land and construction?
What's your timeline for moving in?
Why this matters: Changing core priorities after architectural plans begin adds 4-8 weeks to design. Getting clarity upfront prevents expensive redesigns.
Lot Acquisition and Financing (3-6 Weeks)
If you don't own land, lot selection runs parallel to planning. Mission Home Builders offers complimentary lot evaluation to identify buildable properties and avoid surprises.
Construction loan timeline:
Pre-qualification: 1-3 days
Full application: 1-2 weeks
Underwriting and approval: 3-4 weeks
Closing: 1 week
Most lenders require complete architectural plans before funding construction, which is why proper sequencing matters.
Phase 2: Design and Permitting (2-4 Months)
Architectural Design (6-10 Weeks)
Architectural design moves through three stages:
Schematic Design (2-3 weeks): Initial floor plan concepts showing room relationships and overall flow.
Design Development (3-4 weeks): Refining the selected concept with exterior elevations, roof lines, and structural approach.
Construction Documents (3-4 weeks): Detailed plans required for permitting and construction.
What affects timeline:
Revision cycles: Every major change adds 1-2 weeks
Site complexity: Hillside lots require more engineering
HOA review: Some neighborhoods require architectural committee approval before city permitting (adds 3-6 weeks)
Interior Selections (Concurrent, 6-10 Weeks)
While plans develop, you'll select finishes, fixtures, cabinetry, tile, countertops, and flooring. These selections drive final budgets and material lead times.
Why timing matters: Custom cabinets take 10-14 weeks, custom windows 8-12 weeks. Delaying selections until after permits means materials arrive late during construction, causing delays.
Permitting (4-8 Weeks)
Mission Home Builders manages permitting while selections are underway.
Austin permitting timeline:
Standard residential: 4-6 weeks typical
McMansion ordinance areas: Add 2-3 weeks
Heritage tree preservation: Add 3-4 weeks
Edwards Aquifer zones (like Barton Creek): Add 4-6 weeks
Phase 3: Construction (6-10 Months)
Mission Home Builders targets 8 months for construction, adjusting based on size, complexity, and site conditions.
Month 1: Foundation (4-6 Weeks)
Site prep, tree protection, demolition if needed
Foundation excavation (rock excavation adds 1-2 weeks in West Austin)
Plumbing rough-in under slab
Concrete pour and 7-day cure time
Month 2-3: Framing and Rough-Ins (6-8 Weeks)
Wall and roof framing (3-4 weeks)
HVAC, electrical, plumbing rough-ins (2-3 weeks, overlapping)
Rough-in inspections
Timeline note: This is the last moment when changes are relatively inexpensive—moving a door costs $500 during framing but $3,000 after drywall.
Month 4-5: Exterior and Insulation (6-8 Weeks)
Stone, brick, or stucco (hand-laid stone takes 4-6 weeks on large homes)
Roofing
Windows and doors
Insulation and drywall
Month 6-7: Interior Finishes (6-8 Weeks)
Cabinetry installation (1-2 weeks)
Interior painting (2-3 weeks)
Tile installation
Countertops (2 weeks from template to install)
Flooring
Plumbing and light fixtures
Critical: If cabinets weren't ordered during design phase, this phase backs up 8-12 weeks waiting for delivery.
Month 8: Final and Punch List (3-4 Weeks)
Appliances, landscaping, driveway
HVAC balancing and testing
Final inspections
Certificate of Occupancy
Punch list completion (1-2 weeks)
What Affects Your Timeline?
Home Size and Complexity
2,000-2,500 sq ft: 6-7 months construction
2,500-3,500 sq ft: 7-8 months (typical)
3,500-5,000 sq ft: 8-10 months
5,000+ sq ft: 10-12 months
Complexity drivers:
Second stories (add 4-6 weeks)
Complex roof lines (add 2-3 weeks)
Extensive stone/brick work (add 3-4 weeks)
Site Conditions
Steep slopes requiring retaining walls: Add 3-6 weeks
Rock excavation (common in Hill Country): Add 2-3 weeks
Protected heritage trees: Add 1-2 weeks
Utility extensions: Add 2-4 weeks
Material Lead Times
Items requiring early ordering:
Custom windows: 10-14 weeks
Custom cabinetry: 10-14 weeks
Imported tile: 12-20 weeks
Specialty stone: 8-12 weeks
Builders who order during design phase avoid construction delays.
Decision-Making Speed
Delayed decisions that halt construction:
Cabinet design not finalized before framing: Adds 2-4 weeks
Tile not selected before drywall: Adds 2-3 weeks
Paint colors not chosen before cabinets: Adds 1-2 weeks
Common Timeline Mistakes
Mistake 1: Rushing Through Design
The trap: Pushing through architectural design quickly to "save time."
Why it backfails: Changes during construction are 5-10x more expensive than during design. Moving a bathroom after plumbing rough-in costs $8,000-$15,000.
Solution: Take time to get design right. An extra design revision adds 2 weeks but prevents 4-8 weeks of construction delays.
Mistake 2: Waiting to Finalize Selections
The trap: "We'll pick finishes after permits are approved."
Why it backfires: Custom cabinets ordered the day permits arrive show up exactly when needed (Week 24). Cabinets ordered after framing begins arrive late, delaying the entire interior.
Solution: Finalize all selections during design phase, before permit submission.
Mistake 3: Underestimating Site Evaluation
The trap: Not evaluating buildability factors that affect timeline and cost.
Why it backfires: Discovering 4 feet of limestone bedrock adds 3 weeks and $30,000 to foundation work.
Solution: Complete thorough lot evaluation before purchasing. Mission Home Builders offers complimentary feasibility reviews.
How Austin Regulations Impact Timeline
McMansion Ordinance (Subchapter F)
Applies to: Central Austin neighborhoods including Tarrytown, Hyde Park, Travis Heights
Timeline impact: FAR calculations require additional review, adding 2-3 weeks to permits.
Save Our Springs (SOS) Ordinance
Applies to: Barton Springs watershed including Barton Creek
Timeline impact: 15% impervious cover limit requires detailed drainage calculations, adding 4-6 weeks.
Heritage Tree Preservation
Applies to: All Austin properties with 19"+ diameter trees
Timeline impact: Adds 3-4 weeks to permits; 1-2 weeks to construction for protection measures.
How Mission Home Builders Stays on Schedule
Our 8-month construction target reflects efficient sequencing, reliable trades, and proactive management.
What we do differently:
During Planning: We clarify vision and budget upfront so you move through design with confidence.
During Design: We order long-lead materials during permitting so everything arrives when needed. Most builders wait until permits arrive—we're already ahead.
During Construction: You get project management software access, weekly updates, and direct communication. We identify potential delays before they impact schedule.
Our philosophy: Under-promise and over-deliver. If we say 8 months, we build padding into that number.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to build a 2,000 square foot custom home?
A 2,000 sq ft custom home takes 6-7 months to construct after permits are approved. Total timeline from design through move-in averages 10-11 months. Smaller homes complete faster due to less framing, fewer finishes, and simpler systems.
What is the longest part of building a custom home?
The exterior finish phase (Month 4-5) typically takes longest, especially with extensive stone or brick work. Hand-laid stone can take 4-6 weeks on large homes. The interior finish phase runs close second, requiring coordination of multiple trades in careful sequence.
How long does it take to get permits in Austin?
Austin targets 10 business days for initial review. Straightforward projects receive approval in 4-6 weeks including revisions. Complex projects with historic review, heritage trees, or Edwards Aquifer compliance may require 8-12 weeks.
What delays custom home construction the most?
Top five causes: (1) Late material selections pushing back ordering, (2) Permit revisions from incomplete plans, (3) Unexpected site conditions like rock excavation, (4) Mid-construction design changes requiring re-work, (5) Weather halting foundation or exterior work. Well-organized clients who finalize decisions during design rarely experience major delays.
Can you build a custom home in 6 months?
Building in 6 months requires: small square footage (under 2,000 sq ft), simple rectangular plan, flat lot, all materials in stock, no weather delays, and immediate permit approval. Most clients prioritize getting the home they want over saving 2-3 months.
Should I wait to sell my current home until my custom home is almost done?
Most clients sell existing homes 2-3 months before completion, providing overlap without long double-mortgage periods. Construction has some variability (2-4 weeks), so building in buffer prevents stress. Some arrange lease-backs or temporary housing if timing doesn't align perfectly.
Ready to Start Your Custom Home?
Building a custom home takes 10-14 months from planning through move-in, with 6-10 months for construction. Clients who finish on time invest effort in thorough planning, finalize decisions before construction, and work with builders who proactively manage timelines.
Mission Home Builders' process structures projects for timeline success while maintaining quality. Our custom home building approach keeps projects on schedule through early material ordering, efficient trade coordination, and transparent communication.
Ready to discuss your timeline?
Schedule a consultation to review your vision and get a realistic timeline projection for your specific project.
