One of the first questions we get from new clients is: “How long does it take to build a custom home?”

And the honest answer is: It depends.

At Sanctuary Custom Homes, we believe in setting realistic expectations right from the start. Building a custom home is a major investment—not just financially, but emotionally and mentally as well! Our job is to guide you through it with honesty, accountability, and the kind of communication that keeps things moving.

Here’s what you can expect when building a custom home with us.

The Core Build Timeline

From excavation to move-in, a safe estimate is about 18 months. That’s assuming the site is straightforward. But Tucson’s desert terrain is known for surprises—namely rock. If we hit what’s called a “hard dig” (where we need to hammer through bedrock), the clock starts after the hammering is complete.

Rock excavation can’t be precisely predicted. As home builders, we treat that phase as a variable—and once it’s done, the rest of the project timeline stays on track.

First Meeting to Final Touches

While construction may take 18 months, the full relationship is often 5+ years when you include pre-construction planning and the permitting process to post-move-in support.

From that first handshake to breaking ground typically takes 6 to 12 months, depending on architectural design, decision-making pace, permitting, financing, and HOA approvals.

Each of these steps matters in the custom home-building timeline—and each one takes time to do right!

What Phases Take the Longest?

If you’re eager to move in (and who isn’t?), it’s helpful to know where the most time is spent:

Design Phase: Usually 9 to 12 months. This is where your vision becomes blueprints, and your home design priorities are translated into plans.
Intermediate Construction (MEPs): This is when mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems go in. For homeowners, it feels like slow progress because you don’t see big visual changes.
Final Finishes: Painting, lighting, cabinetry, and trim work can feel drawn out. But it’s also where your home comes to life!

Expect an emotional rollercoaster when you build a home: excitement early on, a lull in the middle, and a final push toward the finish line. This is all an expected part of the home-building process and we’re here to walk you through it.

What Delays a Custom Build?

You might think it’s bad weather on the building site or material shortages—but those are rarely the main culprits. The biggest causes of delay is indecision and change orders.

Changing your mind midway is understandable—it’s your dream home—but every switch can have a ripple effect. That’s why we put so much emphasis on the pre-construction stage and planning process: to nail down your decisions before the hammer swings!

We won’t sugarcoat it: there will be bumps. Issues come up. But we’re a team—and we handle those moments together.

When something does go wrong, we bring solutions to the table!

How We Help You Stay on Track

We use Buildertrend—our scheduling and project management system—to keep everything (and everyone) aligned. You’ll get regular updates, clear deadlines for decisions, and early warnings about anything that could slow progress.

Our team is in constant communication with you. If we say something is needed by next Friday, we’ll remind you by Tuesday—and follow up if we haven’t heard back!

You’ll have scheduled in-person meetings and weekly updates that recap progress and preview what’s next. If something’s off, we’ll tell you. If something’s our fault, we’ll say so—and fix it.

To learn more about how to choose the right builder, make sure to read this blog!

Nervous About Timelines?

It’s fair to be cautious. You’ve heard horror stories of “12-month builds” that turn into 3-year nightmares. But for one, we don’t promise 12 months. It’s not realistic for a luxury custom home. Additionally, we write the construction duration and building timeline into the contract. That way, you know what to expect—and if things shift due to major client changes, we talk about it openly!

Let’s Get Started

If you're ready to build your dream home, let’s talk about how we can get there—together.

How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home in Tucson, Arizona?