The Custom Home Building Timeline & Process

We get it. Building a custom home is a big deal because you’re shaping the place where your life will happen.

How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home in Roanoke County?

Building a custom home will take about 20 months in Roanoke County and Smith Mountain Lake. That may sound like a long time, but the great news is this timeline includes the pre-construction process (design, land prep, everything).

Let's break that entire process down so you'll know exactly what to expect: 

Part 1: The Pre-Construction Process
Initial Consultation
Site Evaluation
Pre-Construction Agreement
Home Design Coordination
Site Work Plan Coordination
Selections & Interior Design Coordination
Fixed-Price Proposal & Agreement

Part 2: The Construction Process
On-Site Preconstruction Meeting
Pre-Excavation Site Meeting
Allowance Selections Finalized
Electrical Rough-In Walkthrough
Substantial Completions Walkthrough
Final Walkthrough

FAQs About the Custom Home Building Process

Part 1 – The Pre-Construction Process

Our pre-construction process is designed to eliminate uncertainty before construction begins. By the time we sign a building contract, you’ll know the exact design, exact selections, and exact cost, down to the dollar.

1: Initial Consultation – Week 0

This first conversation is all about learning your story:

• Do you own land yet, or are you still looking?

• What’s your budget, and how will you finance the build?

• Do you already have design plans, or are you starting from scratch?

• When would you like to move in?

• What features, styles, and priorities are on your wish list?

Many people hesitate to share a budget early on, but we encourage transparency from the start. Don't worry, this isn’t a trick question. It’s how we help you get the most home for your money.

With a budget in hand, we can guide the design process so you get the features you want while keeping the numbers where they need to be.

2: Site Evaluation – Week 1–2

If you already have a lot, we’ll meet you there with the architect or designer. This step is very important because your land often dictates what’s possible:

• Topography affects foundation design and grading work.

• Access impacts construction logistics and costs.

• Utilities determine whether you’ll need a well/septic or can connect to public systems.

• Zoning and environmental restrictions can affect setbacks, building height, and even exterior finishes.

We’ll also take the time to understand your lifestyle. Do you want your main living space to capture a sunrise? Do you entertain often? Do you need privacy from neighbors? These conversations shape the design from day one.

3: Pre-Construction Agreement – Week 3–4

At this point, we’ll prepare a Pre-Construction Agreement tailored to your situation. It outlines:

• What work will be done in pre-construction

• The deliverables you’ll receive

• The timeline for each step

• The cost for this phase

Once signed, we move from “just talking” to actively developing your home plan.

4: Home Design Coordination – Week 4–22

If you don’t already have construction plans, this is where the creativity begins. Working with your architect, we’ll:

• Develop schematic designs to explore layout options

• Refine and finalize working construction drawings

• Incorporate engineered plans where needed

• Provide value-engineering ideas to help your budget go further without compromising quality or design

This phase is longer because it involves careful review, revisions, and coordination between design and construction.

5: Site Work Plan Coordination – Week 18–22

Your home design and site have to be in synch, so we’ll:

• Conduct a survey and create a topographical plan

• Finalize your home’s placement for views, privacy, and access

• Identify well/septic locations if public utilities aren’t available

• Handle applications for necessary site permits

6: Selections & Interior Design Coordination – Week 22–26

Now we make your home yours. Working with an interior designer, we’ll help you choose:

• Exterior finishes like siding, roofing, and windows

• Interior elements like flooring, cabinetry, countertops, and lighting

• Special features like staircases, built-ins, or sliding glass walls

We aim to make nearly all selections now, before building begins, so there are fewer allowances and fewer surprises.

7: Fixed-Price Proposal & Agreement – Week 26–30

This is where our process stands out. Many builders sign a contract early with vague allowances, leaving you to discover later that the real cost is much higher. We do it differently.

By walking you through the full pre-construction process, we know every detail of what you want. That means we can give you a fixed-price contract—no guesswork, no hidden costs. Once you sign, we’re ready for construction.

Part 2 – The Construction Process

Onsite Pre-Construction Meeting – Week 33

Once your contract is signed, selections are finalized, and permits are in place, we’ll meet on-site to officially kick off construction.

This meeting is where you’ll meet your site supervisor (aka, the person overseeing the day-to-day build and keeping things on schedule). We’ll walk the property to discuss site access points, staging areas for materials, and any logistical considerations specific to your lot. This is also when we set up your BuilderTrend account, which lets you track progress, view photos, approve change orders, and communicate directly with both the builder and supervisor.

It’s our way of keeping you connected without requiring constant in-person visits.

Pre-Excavation Site Meeting – Week 34

Before excavation begins, the foundation will be staked on the lot so you can see exactly where your home will sit.

During this meeting, we’ll walk the layout together, confirming orientation, driveway placement, and any adjustments needed for views or sunlight. This is a critical step because small changes now can have a major impact later—especially for grading, drainage, or outdoor living spaces. Once you approve the placement, excavation can begin with complete confidence.

Allowance Selections Finalized – Per Schedule

Even though most selections are made during pre-construction, there may be a few allowance items left due to timing or availability. These could include things like specialty lighting fixtures, unique cabinet hardware, or custom furniture built-ins.

We’ll guide you through finalizing these choices by their scheduled decision dates to ensure there are no delays in ordering or installation. Because we’ve already built your home around your preferences, these final selections usually fit seamlessly into the design without last-minute surprises.

Electrical Rough-In Walkthrough – Week 69

This walkthrough happens once framing, plumbing, and HVAC systems are in place but before the walls are closed up with drywall.

We’ll walk through every room together, confirming the location of electrical outlets, switches, light fixtures, and any low-voltage wiring for things like internet or security systems.

It’s your opportunity to think about how you’ll live in the space, like where you’ll charge devices, place lamps, mount TVs, or install speakers. Making these adjustments now ensures the finished home functions exactly how you need it to, without costly post-construction changes.

Substantial Completion Walkthrough – Week 79

As your home nears completion, we’ll walk through with you to evaluate every detail against the original construction documents. This includes inspecting finishes, checking that systems operate correctly, and noting anything that needs adjustment or repair.

The goal is to create a “punch list” of final tasks so the home is perfect before move-in. Because our process reduces change orders and minimizes mid-project improvising, this stage is often a straightforward review rather than a long list of fixes.

Final Walkthrough – Week 80

This is the day we’ve all been working toward! 

During the final walkthrough, we’ll go room-by-room to ensure every punch list item from the substantial completion walkthrough has been addressed. We’ll explain how to operate key systems in your home and provide you with the NAHB Residential Construction Performance Guidelines warranty book.

You’ll also learn how to submit any warranty claims through BuilderTrend for streamlined service. Once we hand you the keys, it’s time to start making memories in your new custom home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Building a Custom Home

1. How long does it take to build a custom home?
From the initial consultation to move-in, our process generally takes around 18–24 months, depending on complexity, design time, and permitting.

2. Do I need to own land before starting the process?
Not necessarily. If you don’t yet have land, we can still begin initial consultations and connect you with a realtor for site selection.

3. Why do you need my budget up front?
It allows us to design a home that matches your financial comfort zone, avoiding disappointment later when bids come in.

4. What’s the difference between a fixed-price contract and a cost-plus contract?
A fixed-price contract locks in the total cost before construction begins. Cost-plus means you pay for actual costs plus a builder’s fee—which can lead to higher final costs.

5. How many allowances will my contract have?
We work hard to minimize allowances. Most selections are made before construction so your final price is accurate.

6. Can I make changes during construction?
Yes, but change orders can affect both cost and schedule. Our thorough pre-construction process means changes are rarely needed.

Building a custom home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, both financially and emotionally.

With our process, you’ll have a clear plan, a fixed price, and a team that keeps your vision at the center from day one. If you’re ready to see how your ideas can take shape, let’s start the conversation today and get your path to a truly custom home underway.

Reach out to us to schedule your consultation to kick things off the right way!