Building a custom home is one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys a homeowner can take—but it's not a quick one. Whether you're dreaming of a mountainside retreat in Heber or a luxury family home in Park City, understanding the timeline for custom home construction can help you plan, budget, and set realistic expectations. In this post, we’ll break down the typical phases of a custom home build, what can impact the timeline, and tips to keep your project on track.
On average, building a custom home in Utah takes anywhere from 9 to 18 months—but this can vary significantly based on the size, complexity, location, and weather. Here's a general breakdown:
Let’s take a closer look at each stage.
This phase is all about planning, design, and securing permits.
If you haven’t purchased your lot yet, this step can add additional time. Once you own the land, your builder can conduct soil tests and site evaluations.
Work with an architect or design-build firm to create the floor plan, elevations, and structural plans. Revisions and approvals from you may extend this part of the process.
In Utah, you’ll need building permits from the local city or county—whether you're in Wasatch County, Heber City, or Park City. This step can be quick or take several weeks depending on how busy the planning department is and how complete your application is.
Tip: Your builder can often help streamline the permitting process by submitting paperwork and coordinating with inspectors.
Once permits are in hand, construction begins. Here's how the timeline usually breaks down:
This includes clearing the lot, grading, excavation, and preparing for the foundation.
Pouring the concrete or laying the footings and slabs. This can be delayed by weather—especially in snowy or rainy seasons.
This includes building the structure of the home (walls, roof, floor systems). It’s one of the most visually noticeable phases of construction.
Once the frame is up, it’s time to run all the systems that make the home function. This stage is critical and must be inspected before moving forward.
After inspection approvals, walls are insulated and drywall is hung, taped, and textured.
This is when your home starts to take shape! Siding, roofing, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, paint, trim, and more. The time needed here depends on how custom or detailed your finishes are.
Before moving in, your home must pass local building inspections. These ensure everything is safe and up to code.
You and your builder will do a final walkthrough to note any minor fixes. Your builder will address these items before closing out the project.
Once the home passes inspection, you’ll receive a certificate of occupancy, and you’re ready to move in!
Snowy winters or wet springs in Heber and Park City can slow down foundation and framing work.
Supply chain delays—especially for custom materials like windows, cabinets, or imported tile—can cause weeks of delays.
A busy construction market may mean waiting on subcontractors like electricians or painters.
The more custom features you include (built-in cabinetry, smart home systems, high-end finishes), the longer the build will typically take.
If you decide to make changes after construction has started, it may delay progress depending on when the change occurs and how significant it is.
It’s not recommended. Construction sites can be unsafe and living there may delay progress or interfere with inspections.
If everything runs perfectly, a small custom home could be completed in as little as 7–9 months—but this is rare. 10–14 months is more typical.
Mountain regions often require additional excavation or special materials due to terrain and weather conditions, which can add time to your build.
Building a custom home is a journey that takes careful planning, patience, and the right team. While the average timeline falls between 9 and 18 months, every project is unique. By understanding the phases of construction and what to expect, you’ll be better prepared for a smooth and rewarding experience.
If you're looking for experienced home builders in Heber, UT, or experts in custom homes in Park City, West Fork Construction is here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s bring your dream home to life—on time and on budget.