It starts with a few boxes and arrows jotted down on a paper napkin over lunch. Before long, a rough sketch of your dream home layout starts taking form. It’s not much of a plan, but something about it feels tangible.
What if that rough sketch became a floor plan? What if you started gathering the materials, framing, and finishes? What if, before you knew it, you were standing in your dream kitchen watching sunlight pour through the windows that you once could only imagine?
At LaFollette Custom Homes, we know one of the biggest questions on your mind: how long does the custom home process take? While every custom home is unique, the timeline usually follows a reliable rhythm. In this blog, we break down what to expect at each step of the process.
Phase 1: Design and Plan Your Custom Home
(≈ 3 Months)
Initial Consultation
The first step in your custom home journey will be to meet with your Custom Home Consultant to share your vision, timeline, and priorities. This is your opportunity to share any inspiration and ideas with our team and ask any questions about the process. We will walk you through budget goals and help you set realistic expectations based on your lifestyle.
Lot Review and Site Considerations
Before construction begins on your custom home, the first step is securing the right piece of land. If you don’t already own a lot, our team can help you find one that aligns with your vision, lifestyle, and budget. Once your lot is acquired, we’ll conduct a thorough site assessment to ensure the land is suitable for building and to optimize your home’s placement.
Floor Plan Development
The best floor plan for your custom home will depend on your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. Whether you prefer a single-story floor plan that will accommodate your plans to age in place, an open floor plan designed with entertaining in mind, or a two-story home that makes the most of your square footage and accommodates your growing family, we will help you create a plan that fits your goals.
Selections and Finishes
Once the big picture arrangements are made, it’s time to focus on the details of your custom home design. You will work with our design partners to choose materials for cabinetry, tile, flooring, countertops, and lighting that align with your style and budget.
Phase 2: Construction
(≈ 6 Months)
Permits and Approvals
Our team manages all necessary city, county, and utility approvals for building so that you don’t have to. Depending on your location, this may also include surveys, soil reports, or architectural review committees.
Site Prep and Foundation
We clear and grade the land, then pour the foundation of your future home. This is when your home officially starts to take shape on-site.
Framing and Roofing
Once the walls go up, rooms are defined, and the roof is installed to”dry-in” your home. At this point, walk-throughs become possible, and the structure feels real.
Rough-Ins: Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC
Rough-ins include installing plumbing lines, electrical wiring, and HVAC ductwork. Professional inspections are also completed during this stage to ensure everything meets code.
Insulation and Drywall
Once your home is insulated and sheetrocked, we can begin to think about the finishing touches.
Interior Finishes
Once we install cabinets, countertops, flooring, tile, lighting, and paint, your design vision comes to life.
Final Inspections and Punch List
Every inch of your home is inspected by you and our team during the final walkthrough to ensure you feel 100% confident before move-in day. Any touch-ups or quality control concerns will be handled at this time.
Phase 3: Move-In and Beyond
Welcome Home
The most exciting day of your custom home journey has finally arrived! Our team will hand over the keys to your dream home, and you can move into a space that reflects your life, your story, and your style.
Follow-Up and Support
The LaFollette Custom Homes team is here to answer any questions and address any concerns that arise post-move.
Start Your Custom Home Journey
Building a custom home is about so much more than choosing materials and planning measurements. At LaFollette Custom Homes, we guide you through the process with clarity, communication, and care so that your journey is just as rewarding as the final result. Get started today!