How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home in Utah?

Building a custom home is one of the most exciting investments you can make — but it's also one of the most common sources of frustration when timelines aren't set correctly from the start. At Chris Anderson Construction, we've been building custom homes across Utah County, Wasatch County, and the surrounding areas for over 25 years. Here's an honest, phase-by-phase breakdown of what to expect.

Most custom homes in Utah take between 10 and 16 months from the time you break ground to the day you get your keys. That said, the full process — including design, permitting, and site prep — often adds another 3 to 6 months before construction even begins.

So realistically, plan for 14 to 22 months from your first meeting with a builder to move-in day.

Before a single shovel hits the ground, you need a plan. This phase includes:

• Choosing your lot — if you don't already own land
• Working with an architect or designer to finalize floor plans
• Selecting finishes, fixtures, and materials — the earlier the better
• Finalizing your budget and securing construction financing

The biggest time-wasters in this phase are indecision on finishes and changes to the floor plan after drawings are complete. Every revision adds time and cost. Our advice: make decisions early and stick to them.

Once your plans are finalized, they go to the county or city for permit approval. In Utah County and Wasatch County, this typically takes 4 to 10 weeks depending on the jurisdiction and current workload.

Factors that can delay permitting:

• Incomplete or incorrect plan submissions
• Requests for additional engineering (especially on sloped lots)
• HOA approval requirements

We handle all permit submissions in-house, which helps avoid the back-and-forth that slows things down.

Once permits are in hand, work begins on your lot:

• Excavation — clearing and grading the site
• Underground utilities — water, sewer, electrical rough-in
• Foundation pour — footings, stem walls, or full basement depending on your design
• Foundation cure time — concrete needs time to reach full strength before framing begins

Utah's climate plays a role here. Cold winters can slow concrete curing, and spring thaw can affect soil stability. We schedule foundation work strategically to avoid weather delays whenever possible.

Framing is when your home starts to look like a home. Walls go up, the roof takes shape, and you can finally walk through the rooms and get a feel for the space.

This is also when most homeowners want to make changes — and it's the last affordable time to do so. Moving a wall during framing costs a fraction of what it costs after drywall is up.

With the frame up and inspected, the mechanical trades move in:

• Plumbing rough-in — drain lines, supply lines, vent stacks
• Electrical rough-in — panel, wiring, outlet and switch boxes
• HVAC rough-in — ductwork, equipment placement

Each trade requires its own inspection before the next phase can begin. Coordinating these inspections efficiently is one of the most important jobs a general contractor does.

After mechanical inspections pass, insulation goes in and drywall follows. This phase transforms the skeleton of your home into finished rooms.

Drywall finishing — taping, mudding, and sanding — takes longer than most people expect. Rushing it shows up in the final paint job, so we don't cut corners here.

This is the longest interior phase and includes:

• Painting — primer and finish coats throughout
• Flooring — hardwood, tile, LVP, carpet
• Cabinetry and countertops — kitchen, bathrooms, laundry
• Trim and millwork — baseboards, casings, built-ins
• Fixture installation — plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, hardware

Lead times on cabinets and countertops can add weeks if not ordered early. We recommend finalizing all selections before framing begins so materials are ready when needed.

While interior finishes are underway, exterior work continues in parallel:

• Siding, stone, or stucco application
• Roofing completion
• Garage doors and exterior doors
• Driveway and flatwork (concrete or pavers)
• Landscaping rough grade

Before you can move in, the home must pass a final inspection from the county. After that, we walk through the home with you to create a punch list — a detailed list of any items that need touch-up or correction.

We don't consider a project done until the punch list is complete and you're satisfied.

• Making decisions early — finishes, fixtures, and materials selected before construction begins
• Responsive communication — answering questions and approving changes quickly
• Flexible scheduling — being available for walkthroughs and inspections
• Working with an experienced GC — a builder who has established relationships with reliable subcontractors

• Material delays — supply chain issues still affect lead times on windows, cabinets, and appliances
• Change orders — every change mid-construction adds time and cost
• Weather — Utah winters can pause exterior work for days at a time
• Permit delays — especially in fast-growing areas where building departments are backlogged
• Financing delays — construction loan draws that don't process on time can stall subcontractors

The best time to start the conversation is before you think you're ready. The earlier we get involved, the better we can help you plan a realistic timeline and budget.

Call Chris directly at (435) 660-1376 or request a free estimate to get started. We serve Utah County, Wasatch County, Salt Lake County, Juab County, Sanpete County, and Millard County.