How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home in Southern Ontario
There is no denying that building a custom home is one of the most rewarding paths a homeowner can take in life. If you want to create a home you love, it might be time to speak with custom home builders in Southern Ontario, like us at Ever After Homes. We've spent years helping individuals like you build the home of their dreams.
However, before you get started, you should look into how long building a house from start to finish will take so that you have a better handle on expectations. So, to help you with this, our team has shared information on home-building timelines and how to build a house in Ontario with the steps generally taken.
Armed with this information, you should be ready to build the home you deserve.
How Long Does It Take?
The best time to build a house is when you're ready. However, there's nothing wrong with looking into Southern Ontario build time estimates beforehand to get an idea of when your home could be ready once you begin.
At Ever After Homes, we often get the question, 'How long does it take to build a custom home?' Although the average time to build a new home differs, it typically takes between eight and 18 months, from excavation to move-in, if not a little longer, based on the design complexity and other factors.
This timeline for building a house generally includes everything from site preparation and laying the foundation to framing, mechanical installations, finishes, and final inspections. However, you should know that in our experience, some projects are straightforward and move with minimal delays, while others can be tricky to navigate.
That's why we always encourage potential homeowners to discuss their vision and expectations with us so that we can provide accurate home construction timelines for Southern Ontario and the surrounding areas.
Steps to Building a Custom Home in Southern Ontario
Now that you understand how long it takes to build a custom home, it's an excellent idea to learn more about the custom home builder process. Learning more about this process and new home construction steps will help you wrap your head around our timeline.
But before you take a gander at our steps, you should know that we take a relationship-first approach to building, so everything we do, we do for and with you. With that out of the way, let's learn more about the steps that factor into the eight-to-18-month timeframe of a new build:
1. Consultation and Feasibility Review
We will start the process by getting to know you. We'll discuss your goals, priorities, and what you expect from your home. During this initial consultation, we'll review your lot or help you find one, assess feasibility, and provide you with a rough ballpark budget range based on your preferences.
2. Design + Build Agreement
After you have spoken with us and are confident that we're the right fit for your project, we move forward with signing a design-build agreement. Once the agreement is signed, we begin design development, 3D renderings, planning, and budgeting. We will also help you make design choices that align with your finances and lifestyle during this stage.
3. Construction Agreement
We'll acquire engineering and permit approvals between the design-build and construction agreement phases because you cannot move forward with building your new home without them. Once permitting has been secured, we'll transition to the construction phase with a detailed construction agreement outlining the finalized scope of work, budget, and selections. As soon as you've signed on the dotted line of the contract, we can break ground.
4. Construction and Project Management
Your build starts to come together during the construction phase. During construction, we manage the entire build and keep everything on schedule. You can expect the construction elements of your project to take the longest, but we'll keep you updated with regular site visits and open communication channels.
5. Possession and Ongoing Support
Arguably, the shortest phase of the home-building process is when we hand over the keys, but our support doesn't stop here. Once we walk you through your home, address any remaining details, and hand you the keys, we'll remain available.
Our team doesn't believe in cutting ties once a home is built. Remember we said we are focused on relationships first? This means that we'll remain available for post-possession support and any future needs you might have that pop up.
Factors That Influence Build Timelines in Southern Ontario
No one likes to be told that their construction timeline could encounter delays, but it's a reality we want our clients to be aware of. In our experience, several local and regional factors can influence how long your custom home takes to build:
Permit and approval timelines
From the steps above, you know that permitting needs to be acquired before we can fully begin constructing your home. However, you might not know that permitting can influence how quickly your home is built, with some permits taking weeks while others take months to secure.
In addition, the permitting process varies depending on the municipality, with some granting permits quicker than others. Moreover, you might need additional approvals. For example, if your home is in a conservation area or near protected wetlands, we will take longer to secure permits for your building.
Seasonal construction windows
Like many other locales, Southern Ontario's climate dictates when we can begin construction or when it needs to be paused. Unfortunately, this can either positively or negatively impact your timeline, depending on which way the weather goes.
For this reason, we try to complete excavation and foundation work during the spring through fall to avoid the risks of heavy snow and deep frost. However, this doesn't mean winter builds are impossible; it just means more planning will be required, and it might cost you more since you'll need to factor in specialized equipment and labour shortages during this season.
Trade availability
As with much of the province, Southern Ontario has a high demand for skilled trades, so you might run into longer build times if your build requires specialized trades or qualified subcontractors. This is usually the case when new builds require specialized teams for custom finishes and features. So, if you have something special in mind for your custom home, this might impact your build timeline.
Material and product lead times
Choosing manufactured, customizable cabinetry, premium windows, or imported finishes can impact the construction schedule. Some materials come with extended delivery windows, especially during high-demand seasons or when custom-made to order. So, it's best to remember this when deciding what materials and products you would like for your home.
Client decisions
While the design phase is collaborative and exciting, extended decision-making during construction can impact the schedule. Every choice matters, and having selections finalized early helps us keep things moving efficiently.
How Ever After Homes Keeps Projects on Schedule
After more than 15 years of building homes in Southern Ontario, we've developed systems that support good planning and help our clients stay fully informed throughout the process.
We use JobTread, a project management software that keeps everything in one place, including drawings, contracts, communications, photos, and schedules. At the start of each project, we establish a baseline schedule that gets updated in real-time as work progresses. That schedule is visible to our entire team, our trade partners, and, most importantly, you.
This level of transparency means everyone involved understands what's happening and when. There's less back-and-forth, fewer surprises, and better coordination across all parts of the build. And when weather delays or material slowdowns happen – as they sometimes do – we can respond quickly, keep everyone in the loop, and shift gears without losing momentum.
Ever After Homes Can Help You Understand Your Project Timeline
Building a custom home in Southern Ontario takes time, care, and the right team behind you. With clear communication, thoughtful planning, and tools that keep everything on track, we work hard to make sure the experience feels manageable and rewarding at every stage. Every Ever After home is a one-of-a-kind project. And that's exactly how we'll treat yours, so contact us today.
