Complete Guide to Building a Custom Home: What to Expect at Every Step of the Way

There’s nothing quite like walking into a custom home that you designed and brought to life, but it’s a long road to get there that’s full of lots of planning and preparation. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll explain everything you need to consider when building a custom home to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Building a Custom Home Step-by-Step

Building a custom home is a bit more complicated than building based on pre-set plans and far more complex than buying a pre-owned home. Use the checklist below as a quick guide to walk yourself through the process to prepare before you fully commit.

Find a Plot of Land

First things first: you need a plot of land to build on. You should carefully consider the location and the climate, and it’s a good idea to speak with an architect and a custom homebuilder early on to make sure the land you choose is suitable for the house you envision. Consider zoning restrictions and access to utility lines when deciding.

Hire an Architect

Next, you can officially hire an architect to begin your custom designs. An architect who specializes in custom designs will work with a structural engineer to ensure the house you’re building is structurally sound and to your specifications.

Install Utility Hookups

Now, you can take the first real step toward building your home: running utility connections to the plot. If your land was previously developed, you may be able to skip this step. You may need to install an appropriately sized septic system at this stage if you don’t have access to municipal sewer lines.

Hire a Custom Homebuilder

The next part of the process is hiring a custom homebuilder near you. This professional will work closely with your architect and other pros, like plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and more, to start to bring your vision to life. Hiring a general contractor for a custom home build is highly recommended, as the process of hiring and managing individual contractors is challenging and time-consuming.

Secure Building Permits

Your custom homebuilder will help pull the necessary permits for your new home. Some municipalities will issue general building permits, while others may require individual permits for the following:

• Septic system installation

• Plumbing

• Electrical

• HVAC installation

• Construction

• Solar installation

Prepare the Plot

With the permits out of the way, you can begin preparing your plot of land for construction. Some lucky homeowners will be able to skip this step, while others will need to hire experts to tackle the following:

• Land clearing

• Tree removal

• Land grading

• Soil compaction

• Excavation for the foundation

Install the Foundation

The next step is to pour the foundation. Most professionals who build homes will pour the foundation in just a few hours, but building the concrete forms beforehand and allowing for curing and drying afterward can make the foundation installation take several weeks.

Frame Your House

Your homebuilder will then frame out your structure, including interior and exterior walls, floor joists, and the roof structure. Expect framing to take three to seven days.

Dry In the Structure

“Drying in” the structure means sealing off the interior to protect the interior from the elements. This step involves installing sheathing, roofing, siding, windows, and doors. After this step, most of the work will take place inside, and rain and snow are no longer a concern.

Rough In the Utilities

Your professionals will then start to rough in utilities, which involves installing plumbing and drain lines, electrical wiring, outlets, switches, connections for fixtures, and ductwork for your HVAC system, if applicable.

Install Insulation and Drywall

Your homebuilder will then install insulation and close the walls with drywall. They’ll spackle and tape, and many will paint interior walls and ceilings before moving on to the flooring.

Install Flooring

Next, your expert will install flooring throughout your home. Most will lay down temporary protective coverings over the floors to protect them during the following steps.

Install Kitchens and Bathrooms

Once the walls and floors are done, your builder will install cabinets, fixtures, and appliances in your kitchen and bathrooms. They may wait to install the flooring in those areas until after everything else is installed.

Interior and Exterior Finishes

At this point, your custom home should really start to be taking shape, but the finishing touches will make it feel complete. The finishes include the following:

• Hanging interior doors

• Installing trim and crown molding

• Installing electrical fixtures

• Tiling bathroom walls

• Installing backsplash

• Installing plumbing fixtures

• Installing HVAC equipment

• Installing gutters and downspouts

• Installing exterior light fixtures

• Installing shutters

• Installing exterior trim

Finish the Landscaping

At this point in the process, your plot of land will be a mess from all of the vehicle and foot traffic during construction. The last part of the process should include finishing the landscaping. This could just mean seeding the lawn, but many homeowners building custom homes will install hardscaping and flower beds to complement their new builds.

Custom Home Build vs. Standard Build

Building a custom home is similar to choosing pre-made home plans in many regards, but there are a few key differences.

• You have total control over the size and layout of your home

• Custom home builds are at least 30% more expensive than building from pre-set plans

• Building a custom home takes longer because there’s more planning involved

• You’re more likely to run into snags with permitting for a custom build since nothing is pre-approved

• You need to hire an architect and a structural engineer for a custom build but not a spec home. Pre-made plans for spec homes are already designed and approved

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Custom Home?

Building a custom home costs an average of $825,000, and most homeowners pay between $300,000 and $1,200,000 to bring their visions to life. On average, you’ll spend $300 per square foot for a custom home build, but even those prices can range from $200 up to $550.