Building a custom home is exciting—and a significant process. While designing your new home from the ground up and watching it come to life on your lot is more time-consuming than simply purchasing an existing home, it’s often exponentially more rewarding. One of the most common questions we hear from people considering whether to go the custom route is, “How long does it take to build a custom home?”
The timeline for building a custom home can vary greatly and is dependent on many factors—including the complexity of the design, the size of the home, weather conditions, state of the lot, and more. On average, building a custom home can take anywhere from 11 to 18 months. At John Merrill Homes, our systematic design-build process ensures that your custom home is ready for move-in day on time and within budget. Here’s a breakdown of the typical stages involved in building a custom home and the time each stage might take.
Design-build process for custom homes in Jacksonville, FL
John Merrill Homes designs and builds unique, fully custom homes tailored to meet our customers’ goals and lifestyle. Whether it’s new construction from the ground up or large-scale renovations and additions, our time-tested process delivers quality workmanship and outstanding service. We are committed to a high level of communication throughout the process, ensuring your dream home is completed smoothly and efficiently.
Step One: Consultation
The first stage in building a custom home is the consultation. During this phase, we:
- Listen to your goals: Understand what you have in mind for your custom home.
- Ask the right questions: Gather all necessary information to formulate a solution.
- Establish project scope: Define the scope of the project to ensure alignment between your dreams and any real-world constraints.
- Understand the budget: Determine the budget to guide the design and construction process.
During the initial consultation for the Beach Getaway home in Jacksonville Beach, we discussed the clients’ desire for a secondary home that could serve as a retreat from the city, as well as a full-time residence for their parents.
Step Two: Design (3-6 Months)
Next, we move to the design phase, which involves:
- Site analysis: Review the site for constructability, establish footprint maximums, and create a rough fit of the home on the lot.
- Draft preliminary plans: Develop floor plans, exterior elevations, and site plans based on your goals.
- Write specifications: Specify all products and materials going into the home to create clarity.
For the Bells River Residence in Yulee’s Waterman’s Bluff, we carefully analyzed the lot’s unique characteristics and riverfront alignment to ensure the design maximized views of the beautiful Bells River.
Step Three: Present the design
We then present the design to you, including:
- Custom-designed home plans: No pre-set floor plans here. All of our plans are tailored to your specifications and budget.
- Detailed specifications: Comprehensive listing of all products and materials that will go into the house.
- Site costs: All-inclusive cost analysis for the entire project, including design, site prep, and build phases.
When presenting the design for the Modern Farmhouse Two in Ponte Vedra Beach, we highlighted the use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies.
Step Four: Contract
Once the design is approved, we proceed to the contract phase:
- Finalized floor plan: Confirm the layout and design.
- Site plan: Detailed site plan for construction.
- Specifications: Finalized list of materials and finishes.
- Building agreement: Formal agreement, the signing of which enables us to commence construction.
For the Lowcountry Farmhouse in Waterman’s Bluff, we finalized a detailed contract that outlined every aspect of the build, ensuring transparency and clarity.
Step Five: Planning (3-6 Months)
The planning stage involves:
- Structural and systems engineering: Certify that the home is structurally sound and systems are properly integrated.
- Final finish selections: Choose final options for all finishes for your home.
- Obtain permits and approvals: Secure all necessary permits and ensure compliance with all state and local regulations.
- Custom schedule: Develop a detailed construction schedule that accounts for availability of all materials and labor.
During the planning phase for the Beach Farmhouse in Jacksonville Beach, we coordinated with local authorities to secure the necessary permits and approvals—including an elevator, which services all three floors.
Step Six: Construction (10-16 Months)
During construction, we:
- Build to approved plans: Follow the detailed plans and finishes.
- Provide regular updates: Keep you informed via BuilderTrend.
- Maintain communication: Maintain open communication throughout the process.
- Quality control: We conduct ongoing quality checks and address punch-list items as they occur.
- Clean work environment: Promote high-quality workmanship through a clean and positive worksite.
The construction of the Southern Coastal home in Yulee exemplifies our commitment to maintaining high standards and regular communication with the client.
Step Seven: Present the Home
Finally, we present the completed home to you:
- On-time delivery: Ensure the home is completed on schedule.
- Walk-through: Show you the operations of your new home.
- Review warranty process: Explain the warranty and what to expect in the first year.
- Celebrate: Celebrate the successful completion of your custom home!
For the Riverfront Estate in St. Nicholas, we conducted a thorough walk-through to ensure the homeowners were familiar with every aspect of their new home and ready to host business associates and clients as soon as they were settled.
Total Time: Approximately 11-18 Months
From start to finish, building a custom home typically takes between 11 to 18 months. As we mentioned before, the timeline will vary based on factors such as design complexity, home size, lot conditions, and the weather.
Why choose John Merrill Homes as your custom homebuilder in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, and beyond?
At John Merrill Homes, we know that building a custom home is a significant investment of both time and resources. Our experienced team is dedicated to making the process as smooth and efficient as possible. Here are some reasons why choosing John Merrill Homes can make a difference:
- Expert guidance: We provide expert guidance through every step of the process, from selecting the perfect lot to finalizing every detail.
- Quality assurance: We are fully committed to using the highest quality materials and expert craftsmen to construct homes that endure.
- Local knowledge: Based in Northeast Florida, we have an in-depth knowledge of the local market and surrounding areas.
- Customer satisfaction: We strive to deliver a home that exceeds your expectations, on time and within budget.
Get a timeline for your custom dream home
At John Merrill Homes, we are committed to making your custom dream home a reality. We provide expert guidance, quality craftsmanship, and a high level of communication every step of the way. If you have any questions or are ready to start planning a timeline for your custom home, contact us today to schedule your first consultation.
