Based on Calgary real estate statistics over the last five years, builders have started an average of 13,500 units yearly. However, it's essential to know that in 2023, Calgary built a record-breaking 15,393 homes, meaning more people than ever are considering home ownership. 

If you’re one of these people, you likely have many questions, including questions about the Calgary residential construction process and the Calgary home construction timeline. Luckily, our latest blog discusses the Calgary home-building stages and the home-construction timeline. This knowledge makes you far more likely to experience a more streamlined home build.

At Bright Custom Homes, we’re experts in home building, so you can trust our information to be accurate, but it’s always best to speak with us about your project so we can give an accurate home-building timeline. 

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

When considering your Calgary custom home project timeline, you need to know that many home-building stages are involved. The design, permitting, and construction phases have different timelines, and together, they form a Calgary custom home timeline. Below, we’ve given a general breakdown of what to expect for each phase: 

• Design Phase: 3 to 6 months

• Permitting: 2 to 4 months

• Construction: 8 to 12 months

The above timelines for the different home-building stages mean that the entire process, from initial design to move-in, typically takes 15 to 30 months for mid-range custom homes. It also means that higher-end custom homes, which include more intricate designs and premium finishes, can take longer, ranging from 20 to 36 months. 

Yet you should also know that spec homes, which follow pre-designed layouts, are usually completed more quickly, often within 12 to 18 months. Based on these different timeline estimates, you’ll now have a better idea of how long it will take for your custom home to be built by our team at Bright Custom Homes. 

What are the Steps to Build a House in Calgary? 

The home-building process involves many different steps. Below, we’ve detailed a few of the steps to build a house that we generally indicate to our clients. However, you must remember that home-building steps can change because every house is unique. Nevertheless, the steps we shared should give you a good indication of what to expect: 

1. Initial Consultation: During the initial consultation, we’ll discuss your building goals, budget, and vision to ensure we have a broad understanding of how you want your dream home built in Calgary.

2. Site Selection and Feasibility Study: If you haven’t already chosen a lot, our team will help you do so by assessing site conditions, zoning, and requirements.

3. Design and Planning (3–10 months): The timeline officially begins during your home build's design and planning phase. During this stage, you will work with architects and designers to finalize blueprints, select materials, and develop construction plans.

4. Permit Approvals (2–8 months): After your home design is narrowed down, you’ll know what permitting is needed. Your builder will submit applications for building permits and utility connections. Depending on your home and where your lot is found, this process can be quick or more time-consuming than expected. 

5. Site Preparation and Foundation (1–2 months): The site preparation and foundation is an integral part of the home building process, but luckily, it isn’t overly long. Your builder will clear the land, level the site, and pour the foundation at this stage.

6. Framing & Roofing (3 months): You can't have a house without a roof. After site preparation has been completed, our team will construct the structural frame and install roofing.

7. Mechanical and Electrical Installation (2–4 months) – Once the framing and roofing are up, we can really begin. We’ll install the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems you need. Depending on how big your home is and how complex your energy systems need to be, this usually takes a maximum of four months.

8. Interior and Exterior Finishing (3–6 months): In as little as three to six months, we’ll complete drywall, flooring, cabinetry, painting, and landscaping. These are the final finishing touches to have your home move-in ready.

9. Final Walkthrough and Inspections: We don’t just finish a build and hand over the keys. The second to last step we’ll complete is a final walkthrough with you involving inspections. This is to ensure everything meets safety and quality standards and your expectations.

10. Move-In and Post-Construction Support: The last step is ongoing. After you move in, you enjoy your new home with continued builder support.

What Factors Can Delay a Home-Building Project?

Several factors can impact the residential construction process and timeline. In the sections below, we’ve outlined the factors that can delay your home-building project in Calgary. 

If you’re concerned about any of these factors, you can speak with us, and we can tell you how it may or may not impact your home build with us. By understanding what could potentially cause setbacks, you’ll be better prepared.

Weather Conditions

Calgary weather conditions can be somewhat unpredictable, which can, unfortunately, negatively impact the construction timeline. This is especially true in winter when extremely cold, freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall can delay foundation work, exterior construction, and material deliveries. 

Lot Characteristics

We understand that you have a specific idea for what you want your home to look like and that you likely have chosen a lot based on this idea, but you should know that many characteristics can affect timelines. 

This is because uneven or sloped lot terrain could require additional site preparation, meaning your builder might have to construct engineered fill or retaining walls. These implementations add time to a build. Other lot characteristics that could extend your home build timeline include extensive landscaping and walkout basements. 

Material Availability

Sometimes, even when you choose affordable materials for a home build, supply chain disruptions can cause delays. In addition, if you select high-quality materials, you could experience supply chain disruptions leading to delays, especially if you choose imported materials like quartzite for countertops or exotic wood for custom cabinetry. 

Labor Shortages

In Calgary, the construction industry is competitive. Often, scheduling delays occur when you need to find skilled tradespeople for plumbing, finishing, and electrical work. That’s why you should choose a design-build firm like Bright Custom Homes, which has most of the in-house services you’ll require.

Our trade relationships have been fostered over many years, and our teams work across various projects at any given time. So, we can schedule jobs more efficiently and tweak schedules to get what's most important done quickly and more tasks completed. 

Design Changes

We get it; sometimes, a design is brought to life in a way you didn’t quite envision it at no fault of yours or your builders. In these instances, you might have to make design changes after construction has already started, which can affect the cost and the home construction schedule. Additionally, making design changes involving upgrading materials and installing smart technology can also lead to longer build times. 

Choose Bright Custom Homes to Build Your Dream Home with Confidence

Building a custom home in Calgary is hassle-free when you understand the timeline and factors involved. With proper planning, clear communication, and the right builder by your side, you can move into your dream home without unnecessary stress. 

At Bright Custom Homes, we are home builders in Calgary who take pride in delivering high-quality, cost-effective homes tailored to your lifestyle while ensuring an enjoyable building experience. That’s why we share our Calgary home-building process with prospective clients and our building timeline in Calgary. So contact us here and let us tell you more about our process and how we estimate build timelines.