Construction Timeline
Building a custom home in North Texas typically takes 10–16 months of active construction — plus 4–8 months of design and permitting beforehand. This timeline walks you through every phase so you know what's happening, when it's happening, and why it takes the time it does.
Month-by-Month Construction Timeline
Based on a 3,500 sq ft custom home on a typical North Texas lot. Larger homes, complex sites, or extensive customization will extend the timeline. We update a detailed schedule throughout your project.
Pre-Construction & Site Work
Before vertical construction begins: final permit issuance, construction loan closing, site mobilization (fencing, temporary power/water, portable sanitation), land clearing and grubbing, rough grading, foundation excavation, underground utility rough-in (water, sewer, electrical conduit), and formwork preparation. Erosion control measures are installed and inspected. The building pad is established and surveyed.
Foundation
Post-tension slab or pier-and-beam foundation installation. For slab: vapor barrier, steel reinforcement, post-tension cables, plumbing rough-in (under slab), electrical grounding, and concrete pour. Curing time is 7–14 days before framing can begin — this is non-negotiable; rushing foundation cure causes cracking. For pier-and-beam: drilled piers, grade beams, crawl space preparation.
Framing & Dried-In
The most dramatic phase — your home takes visible shape. Wall framing, floor and roof trusses, roof decking, and sheathing. After framing: window and door installation, house wrap/weather barrier, roof underlayment and roofing material. At 'dried-in,' the structure is weathertight — interior work can begin. This is also when exterior masonry (brick, stone, stucco lath) typically starts.
MEP Rough-In
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing rough-in. HVAC: ductwork, air handler, condenser pad, refrigerant lines. Plumbing: water lines, drain/waste/vent piping, tub and shower valves. Electrical: panel installation, wiring runs, switch and outlet boxes, low-voltage (data, AV, security). Gas lines. Fire sprinklers (if required). All rough-in work is inspected by the building department before insulation and drywall can proceed.
Insulation & Drywall
Insulation installation (spray foam in attics and exterior walls, batt in interior walls for sound). Blower door test to verify air sealing (optional but recommended). Drywall hanging, taping, mudding, and sanding. This is messy work — the house looks worse before it looks better. After drywall: primer coat on walls. The space starts to feel like rooms rather than a construction site.
Interior Finishes Begin
Trim carpentry (baseboards, door casing, crown molding, window stools). Interior door hanging. Cabinet installation. Countertop templating and fabrication (stone counters are templated after cabinets are set, then fabricated off-site — 2–3 week gap). Hardwood and tile flooring. Tile work in bathrooms, laundry, and backsplashes. Stair railing and balusters. Interior paint (walls, trim, ceilings).
Finish MEP & Fixtures
Electrical trim-out: switches, outlets, light fixtures, ceiling fans, under-cabinet lighting. Plumbing trim-out: faucets, sinks, toilets, shower heads and controls, bathtub installation. HVAC trim-out: registers, thermostats, system commissioning. Appliance delivery and installation. Mirror and glass installation. Door hardware. Closet shelving and rods.
Exterior & Site Completion
Exterior finishes complete: final masonry, stucco, or siding. Driveway and walkway concrete or pavers. Covered patio floor and ceiling finish. Decks and porches. Garage door installation and opener setup. Exterior paint and touch-up. Landscaping: irrigation system, trees, shrubs, sod or seed. Fencing. Mailbox. Final grading for positive drainage.
Punch List & Closeout
Final inspections: building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire (if applicable). Certificate of occupancy issued. Professional cleaning. Our internal quality walkthrough — we identify and fix items before you see them. Client orientation walkthrough — we teach you how everything in your home works. Punch list resolution — any remaining items are completed. Homeowner's manual delivered. Keys handed over.
Warranty & Follow-Up
Your first year of warranty coverage. We check in at 30 days, 6 months, and 11 months to address any items that arise as the home settles and you live in it. Drywall cracks from normal settling, minor adjustments — this is all normal and covered. After year one, structural warranty continues per our warranty terms. We're still your neighbors and we still answer the phone.
Factors That Affect Your Timeline
Weather
North Texas weather is unpredictable. Spring rains delay foundation work and exterior finishes. Summer heat limits roofing and exterior work to morning hours. A wet spring can add 3–6 weeks to a project. We build weather buffer into our schedules, but Mother Nature has the final say.
Material Lead Times
Custom cabinets: 6–12 weeks. Custom windows and doors: 8–16 weeks. Specialty tile and stone: 4–10 weeks. We order long-lead items during design to minimize construction delays, but supply chain disruptions happen. Early material decisions keep the schedule intact.
Change Orders
Changes during construction always add time — even seemingly small ones. Moving a wall after framing adds 1–2 weeks minimum. Changing cabinet design after order adds 6–10 weeks (new fabrication cycle). The best way to stay on schedule: get it right during design. Change orders are your prerogative — just know the schedule impact before you decide.
Inspections
Each jurisdiction has its own inspection schedule and backlog. Some inspect next-day; some take a week. Some require a framing inspection, an MEP rough inspection, an insulation inspection, and a drywall inspection as four separate visits. We know the rhythm of each building department and sequence work accordingly.
Subcontractor Availability
Quality subcontractors are in high demand. We maintain long-term relationships with our trade partners — they prioritize our projects because we provide consistent work, clear direction, and prompt payment. This is one of the invisible benefits of working with an established builder.
Project Complexity
A simple rectangular floor plan on a flat lot builds faster than a complex floor plan with multiple roof lines on a sloping lot. Custom millwork, intricate tile, and elaborate MEP systems all add time. We'll tell you during design what your specific choices mean for the schedule.
Timeline FAQ
Can construction go faster than 10–16 months?+
Yes — with caveats. A simpler home (rectangular footprint, single story, standard finishes) can build in 8–10 months. But faster is not always better: concrete needs time to cure properly, drywall mud needs time to dry between coats, and quality craftsmanship cannot be rushed. We'd rather deliver a home that's built right than one that's built fast.
What happens if the schedule slips?+
We communicate proactively. If weather, material delays, or inspection backlogs push the schedule, you'll know immediately — what caused it, what the impact is, and what we're doing to recover. We don't hide schedule issues until move-in week. Transparent communication about timeline is part of our commitment to you.
When can I visit the site during construction?+
Anytime — with coordination. We ask that you schedule visits through us so we can ensure safety (hard hat, appropriate footwear, no active hazard areas) and so your project manager can walk with you to answer questions. Unscheduled visits are fine for exterior viewing, but entering the structure without coordination is a safety risk and an insurance issue. We encourage regular site walks — seeing your home take shape is one of the best parts of the process.
How does weather affect the schedule in North Texas specifically?+
North Texas weather presents unique challenges: spring thunderstorms (March–May) delay excavation, foundation work, and roofing. Summer heat (June–September) limits exterior work to morning hours for worker safety. Fall (October–November) is usually the best construction weather. Winter is generally mild but occasional ice storms halt everything for days. Our schedules are built around these seasonal patterns — we don't plan foundation pours for April or roofing for August if we can avoid it.
Ready to Start Your Timeline?
Every Southern Shore project starts with a detailed schedule built around your specific home design, site conditions, and material selections. Let's talk about yours.