From Blueprint to Move-In: A Realistic Timeline for Home Building

May 8, 2024

Follow these tips and understand the construction timeline to be prepared for the custom home building process.

The demand for Amish-built custom homes has skyrocketed in recent years due to the reputation for quality craftsmanship, reliability, integrity, and customization available. If you’re just beginning to consider building a custom home, you’re in the right place!

Designing and building a custom home begins long before the excavators break ground, and because there’s such a high demand, some contractors are scheduled out months, or even years, in advance. We want you to have a realistic vision for your home building project while also encouraging you to get started now.

The process is a long but exciting journey that ends with your dream home existing in reality!

Here’s what you should expect in the coming weeks (and months) leading up to that exciting moment when the walls go up and your home is under roof:

Research and Planning (12-18 months before construction):

There’s a lot to do in the months leading up to the start of your construction project.

Determine your budget: First things first, it’s important to know just how much home you can afford. Consult with a financial advisor and/or lender to set a realistic budget for your project.
Identify your wants and needs: Start a list of the features you most want in your home as well as those amenities that would be nice to have. A great way to organize and curate ideas is by starting a Pinterest board and saving, or pinning, what you find online. This can help you keep track of those features you think would be perfect for your home.

Select a location: If you already have property, this is a quick and easy step to check off—there will still need to be some decision making about exactly where on your property you want your home, of course. Otherwise, do your research into various neighborhoods and communities where you’d like to live and start to feel out where property is available.

Find a reputable contractor: Now’s the time to connect with Ivan Yoder Builders! You can book a design meeting to start the process.

Obtain necessary permits: Check with your local government to understand the permitting process. We can help you with this step.

Design Phase (6-12 months before construction):

With the upfront work behind you, it’s time to start putting your vision into action! The design phase is an exciting time of dreaming and revisioning as we work together to create a custom home design that scratches the itch of personalization while keeping your budget top of mind.

Create your architectural design: Work with your builder to create the custom home design that meets your needs and your budget.

Finalize plans: Review and approve your plans, including the floor plan, elevations, location of your home on your property, and any other special features of construction.

Select materials and finishes: Once the skeleton of your home is set, it’s time to choose the distinctive characteristics of the exterior and interior, including materials and finishes, to match your particular aesthetic and budget.

Pre-Construction (3-6 months before construction):

Now that the majority of the decisions have been made about your home project, it’s time to make sure you have all of your ducks in a row to break ground.

- Secure financing: Visit your lender again to finalize your mortgage or construction loan.
- Obtain insurance: Protect your investment with construction and homeowner’s insurance.

Sign contracts: Dot all the i’s and cross all of the t’s of your agreement with your contractor and subcontractors who are involved with the project.

Schedule inspections: We’ll help you arrange any necessary inspections, such as soil testing or environmental assessments, that are needed before we break ground.

Construction Begins!

Finally, it’s time to watch your dream rise from the ground and take shape. It won’t be long before we’re handing you the keys and opening up your new front door.

Pro Tips for a Successful Start to Your Home Building Experience

Home construction is a huge undertaking, but absolutely worth the investment for the many, many years you’ll have ahead, building memories in your dream home. Here are a few pro tips that can make this experience even more enjoyable and stress-free:

Start planning early to allow plenty of time for research, design, and permitting.
Be realistic about your budget and your timeline, and allow for any unexpected delays or costs—the construction industry tends to have to weather lots of unpredictable components… including weather… all of which is part of the business of building.
Communicate regularly with your contractor to ensure that your vision is being executed the way you imagined.
Be flexible and adaptable as challenges arise during construction.
Keep thorough records of all of your communications, contracts, and transactions throughout the planning and building process.

Today’s a great day to Book Your Home Design Meeting and get this project started! We look forward to designing and building you the home of your dreams.