3 Min Read
You’ve decided you’re ready for a custom home built to your exact preferences and needs in Florida, rather than buying a home on the market. Now, you might wonder, "How long does it take to build a house in Florida?" and "What are the steps to building a house in Florida?" Well, once you find the perfect Florida design-build firm for your project, you'll be guided through a comprehensive home-building process, which will include several stages of building a house.
What are the steps for building a custom home?
1. Design Phase (1-6 months)
Before designing actually takes place, you’ll likely be asked to sign a contract that states you are hiring this home builder and that you will be responsible for payment of the design, even if you decide to hire someone else to build your home.
Once you and your builder and designer sit down and talk about layouts and design, you may not sign off on a design for months. Once you do, the architectural drafter can produce your engineering and structural plans. Next comes the interior design phase, where you will wonder if the decision-making process will ever end.
One to six months is an awfully large window, but how quickly or slowly the design process moves along depends on several factors including logistical issues, design discrepancies, and more. The important thing to remember is this: Do not rush the design phase.
It’s during this time that every little decision is made, every kink is worked out, and every part of your custom home is thought about so that the proper scheduling, material purchases, etc. can be accounted for properly. Rushing your designer or the process, in general, will undoubtedly result in miscommunication and added costs down the line.
2. Pre-Construction (30-45 days)
During the pre-construction stage, a myriad of activities happen behind the scenes to set up a smooth construction process. This is the phase where permits, HOA approvals, and other necessary steps are taken care of. Also, securing a construction loan and finalizing your budget with a built-in allowance are key parts of this pre-construction phase.
3. Site Excavation & Foundation (2-4 weeks)
Finally, it’s time to really get things moving!
Here, the site excavation begins and the foundation of your dream home starts to take shape. This is one of the initial steps to build a house in Florida, and it includes prepping the building pad and initiating the plumbing and electrical work.
4. Framing (6-8 weeks)
The framing stage is an exciting part of the home-building process. During this time, you'll see the structure of your home coming together. From studs to windows and doors, this is when your house starts becoming a physical reality.
5. Mechanical, Insulation, & Drywall (2-3 weeks)
Here, the house-building timeline advances as the plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC are installed. Much of what’s happening in your new home at this point can happen parallel to each other. You’ll have different specialties working in your home at one time, getting everything in its place.
The placement of interior and exterior outlets, light switches, and lights will be finalized and installed. Make sure you conduct a walk-through to confirm the placement of outlets, light switches, and lights.
Next up are the insulation and drywall. The walls and ceiling will make your construction project really start looking like a house at this point and things will begin getting more finely tuned.
6. Interior & Exterior Finishes (4 weeks)
In this stage of the new construction timeline, all the choices you made during the design phase, such as cabinetry, countertops, and flooring, come together. This part of building a house in Florida is where the dream truly comes to life.
Exterior finishes, railings, gutters, stonework, and other custom touches, like shutters or brackets, will be installed.
When the interior finishes are being installed, the order does matter. For logistical purposes, some things are left for the end because they could more easily get damaged while installing other elements. So, lighting fixtures, mirrors, carpet, appliances, a final coat of paint, and window screens will finish out this step.
7. Clean-Up (1 week)
After construction is complete, a meticulous clean-up takes place. You will then have the opportunity for a final walk-through to ensure everything meets your standards. You and your contractor might make a final punch list to make sure everything is perfect on move-in day.
What Could Delay Construction?
No matter how well-planned your new home construction process timeline is, delays can happen due to weather events, permitting issues, or other unforeseen circumstances. Perhaps a highly specialized custom job in the home requires a professional who’s overbooked. No matter what the hiccup may be, know that your home builder is likely as frustrated as you are and they’re doing what they can to keep your project moving forward.
The Real First Step: Hiring the Right Design-Build Team
The best thing you can do for your budget and house-building timeline is to hire the right design-build team that knows the ins and outs of building a custom home in Florida. With the right team, each stage of building a house will be a collaborative effort, aiming to complete your custom home within the average time to build a house.
Robinson Renovation & Custom Homes is a Gainesville, Florida-based design-build firm. Our expertise and commitment to transparent and open communication make us a great fit for your custom home project in Florida. Contact us today to start your journey, one step at a time.
