The 9 Steps to Building a House
What is the custom home building process? Custom home building is the end-to-end process of designing and constructing a one-of-a-kind home tailored to a specific homeowner and site, across architectural vocabularies including Hill Country Modern, Spanish Mission and Hacienda, and others detailed in our catalog of luxury home design styles in Austin, typically including land due diligence, architect-led design, county permitting, and 14–22 months of phased construction. Unlike production or spec builds, every floor plan, finish, and system is selected by the homeowner alongside their builder. Most luxury custom homes move through 9 sequential construction phases, with design and permits handled in parallel beforehand.
The 5 things every custom home buyer should know:
- Design and permitting come before construction. Months 1–7 of a custom build are architecture, engineering, and permit submission, well before any concrete is poured.
- The 9 construction steps are sequential and inter-dependent. Foundation → framing → mechanicals → roofing → insulation → trim → countertops → flooring → final touches. Skipping or compressing any of them costs more time later.
- Total timeline runs 18–28 months from initial design contract to certificate of occupancy, depending on county, scope, and how parallel the early due-diligence work runs with design.
- Architect-led design-build firms compress coordination risk. Single accountable team from concept through warranty walkthrough, vs. owner-managed architect + general contractor coordination.
- Cost is driven more by site complexity and finish level than square footage alone. Hill Country limestone foundation work, custom millwork, smart-home integration, and ICF wall systems each move the per-square-foot number significantly.
This guide walks through what happens at each stage, including the design and permit work that happens before Step 1, the 9 sequential construction phases, what each phase typically takes, and the cost framework for a luxury custom build in the Texas Hill Country and greater Austin. For a deeper read on building on your own raw land, see our statewide guide to custom home building on your Texas land.
There are 9 essential steps to building a house, whether it’s your first home or a luxury custom build. Below, we outline each step to building a custom home in detail, so you know what to expect at every stage.
Before Step 1: Design, Engineering, and Permits
By this early conversation, you should have a calibrated budget. Most Jenkins Design Build clients commission projects starting around $3 million, with the typical build falling in the $5 to $10 million range.
The “9 steps” begin once construction starts on-site. Before any of them, three to seven months of design and permitting work has already happened. For most luxury custom homes, this pre-construction phase looks like:
- Site walk and feasibility (weeks 1–4). Architect, builder, and homeowner walk the parcel together. Sun path, view corridors, slope, drainage, mature trees, and access are mapped before a square footage target is locked in.
- Schematic design (weeks 4–12). Floor plans, massing, elevation studies. The first round where the home becomes visualizable.
- Design development (weeks 12–20). Detailed plans, structural engineering, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) coordination, exterior and interior material specifications.
- Construction documents (weeks 20–28). The buildable drawing set used for permit submission and trade pricing.
- Permit submission and approval (weeks 28+). County-dependent, Travis County (unincorporated) typically takes 8–14 weeks; Hays County is faster; Burnet County often clears in 4–8 weeks.
On rural Texas land, well drilling, septic feasibility, and floodplain analysis run in parallel with design and can add 60–120 days to the front of the project if not started early. An architect-led custom home builder handles all of this coordination on a single team contract, rather than handing the homeowner off between separate architect and contractor engagements.
1. Foundation
The Mix. Ordering the correct concrete mix is a critical ingredient to a perfect slab. Factors that must be considered include the soil content, the slope on the lot, the weather on the day of the pour, the home to be built on the lot, and much more.
Knowing how to order the correct concrete mix comes with years of experience and many pours. Since Shan started his career in commercial construction, he has overseen over 100,000 cubic yards of concrete pours. Couple that with his Construction Science degree from Texas A&M, which included courses on concrete design, soil dynamics, material methods, structural design and analysis, and it ensures that we select the appropriate concrete for each project.
The Pump. A concrete pump ensures a uniform pour, adequate finishing time, fewer voids, and a uniform finish due to the speed of the application. It is Jenkins Design Build‘s policy to employ a concrete pump, or two if required, on every project. It is simply foolish to take a chance that concrete will get old waiting for the trucks ahead of it when for a marginal additional cost, a concrete pump will ensure that the result is a stronger slab and a smoother finish.
The Tape Measure. Have you ever seen a house under construction where the slab has been jack hammered in spots? This is caused by the lack of a tape measure, an inability to read plans, or both. When different subcontractors work on a slab, it’s common for miscommunication to occur and mistakes to be made.
It’s our policy to personally measure all the forms, electrical and plumbing penetrations after all the subcontractors have left and just before we schedule the concrete for the pour. It’s such a simple concept, but surprising how few builders institute and enforce this policy. It’s this type of attention to detail that makes all the difference in the quality of a home.
2. Framing
Although we have employed methods such as concrete block for certain applications, we typically “stick-build” our homes. This means we use conventional framing techniques, while following or exceeding the International Residential Building Codes. We also use solid wood for our materials; we never use finger joint studs. In addition, we check every stick of lumber for mold and structural integrity before it is used in a home. We will not use molded, warped, or utility grade structural lumber in our homes. Framing is one of the most exciting steps to building a house, it’s when the floor plan truly comes to life.
To ensure every framing detail follows local and national codes (and they are always changing), we also employ a third party inspector to inspect our framing. Just like every other major phase of construction on our homes, third party inspections are important to our peace of mind, and yours.
3. Mechanicals
Plumbing
Mold can, of course, only grow in areas where moisture is present, and can grow with even a small plumbing leak. To ensure there are no leaks in the plumbing, we put water in the pipes of our homes, with the appropriate amount of pressure, for several weeks before sheet rock.
During this time, we visually inspect every joint for even the tiniest leak. By the time sheet rock goes up, any problem will have been identified and repaired. The best way to keep problems from occurring even before this stage, however, is to pour a perfect slab so that all the plumbing penetrations hit the walls perfectly.
HVAC (Air conditioning and Heating)
HVAC (Air conditioning and Heating)Your HVAC system is a critical component to preventing mold while preserving indoor air quality. A proper system will push the air through your home, replacing the moist outside air with drier “conditioned” air. One of the downsides of the new tight, energy-efficient methods that are employed in home building is a propensity for mold to develop.
At Jenkins Design Build we build a tight, energy-efficient home with methods that will not develop mold problems over time. We have been building mold-free homes since 1992, and we are continually educating ourselves about new techniques and installation methods. The NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) and other building science researchers have studied and provided us with valuable training and data in this area. As members of the NAHB, the Texas Association of Builders, and the Greater Austin Home Builders Association, we stay current on their findings.
Electrical & Low Voltage Wiring
The final component that must be installed at this phase of construction is electrical and low voltage wiring. Every single electrical plug, ethernet drop, and cable outlet must have the appropriate wiring before the home gets insulation and sheet rock. Proper wiring is essential when building a custom home to support modern smart home technology.
4. Roofing
Roof leaks can be the worst nightmare for any builder or homeowner. They are often hard to find and hard to fix. Especially around the fireplace, a leak can occur very easily. However, they are often so tiny that they go unnoticed by a builder.
That is why we water-test certain areas of the roof. Usually, we will have a rain before the sheet rock goes up (nature’s water test). After a good rain, our builders will carefully inspect the home for leaks. However, around the fireplace we will often hire a waterproofing company to do a 2-hour test just to make certain there are no leaks, not even tiny ones. We do this because even a tiny leak will result in moisture behind the walls. And, of course, mold can grow anywhere moisture is present.
5. Insulate and Sheet Rock
Insulation is a crucial step when building a house and has come a long way over just the past 10 years. With the emergence of new techniques, such as Cell Foam insulation and Blown-in Batts (BIBS), homes can be better insulated and benefit from the longevity of products that simply stand up better over time. Some products are chosen for their “green” features, such as blue jean insulation (recycled blue jeans that have been formulated into insulation). Others are superior in performance. Depending on the insulation method chosen, there are now sheet rock products which can better sound insulate than ever before.
When building a custom home, insulation is a critical step. Once the home is insulated, sheet rock can then be applied throughout. Finally, tape and texture is applied to conceal the sheet rock joints. Different textures can be applied to achieve different looks. The old stand-by “orange peel” is seldom used in our homes except in closets. Our homes typically get a smoother hand trowel texture in all public areas and may sometimes require an artisan to achieve a specific look.
6. Install Cabinets, Trim, & Paint
This is one of the most visual steps to building a house, the cabinets and trim are installed. The cabinets are typically built off-site at a small local cabinet shop and brought in for installation. Then, trim can be installed right up to the cabinets. Trim includes the base board, door and window trim, and any other specialty trim. Finally, the paint and stain is applied throughout the home.
7. Bring in Countertops, Appliances, Plumbing & Electrical Top-Out
At this point, we like to say that the “bling” or “beauty items” are brought in to be applied to the home. Once we begin to see countertops, tile, appliances, plumbing fixtures, and light fixtures, the house begins to take on its own unique style.
8. Install Flooring, Hardware, Mirrors & Glass
Depending on whether the flooring is wood, tile, or some other material, the flooring will have a specific spot in the overall schedule. Wood must be applied toward the very end, whereas concrete floors are basically “installed” when the slab is poured. Hardware, such as door and cabinet hardware, is the final “jewelry” along with the glass and mirrors. Specialty glass may make it into the schedule at an earlier point, but typical glass for showers and cabinet doors typically get installed toward the end of the project. These finishing touches are what make building a custom home so special, every detail is chosen by the homeowner.
9. Final Touches & Final Clean
One of the final steps to building a house is the cleanup. Because a construction project by design requires some tough products, the final clean tends to happen over the course of the last several months. As one clean is completed, it’s as if another layer of dirt and dust are revealed for the next round of cleaning. As a result, our final clean is really a series of cleaning days over a period of months, designed to get to the home truly clean and ready for move-in.
In fact, there are a lot of little steps along the way (like the daily cleans that are required by all of our trade partners on site) that work to mitigate and help make this step happen more smoothly.
The final step, which needs no explanation, is move-in!
Before you begin, it is worth understanding how the traditional design-bid-build process compares to the design build model. The approach you choose will shape your budget, your timeline, and whether your architect’s original vision survives construction.
Building a custom home is one of the most rewarding investments you can make. By following these 9 steps to building a house, you’ll be prepared for every phase of the process. At Jenkins Design Build, we guide homeowners through every stage of building a custom home, from choosing the perfect lot to handing over the keys. Ready to start building a custom home in the Austin area? Learn more about the home building process or contact us today for a free consultation.
Throughout the building process, key decisions around your bathroom and kitchen designs will have some of the biggest impact on both your budget and daily living experience. These are the spaces where thoughtful planning during the design phase pays dividends for years to come.
How Long the Custom Home Building Process Takes
A reasonable expectation for a luxury custom home (5,000+ square feet, mid-complexity Hill Country site) runs 18 to 28 months total from initial design contract to move-in. The breakdown:
- Months 1–7: Site walk, schematic design, design development, construction documents.
- Months 8–10: Permit submission, review, and approval (county-dependent).
- Months 11–14: Site work, foundation, framing or ICF wall erection, mechanicals rough-in, roofing dry-in.
- Months 15–22: Insulation, drywall, cabinetry, countertops, flooring, paint, finishes.
- Months 23–26: Punch list, certificate of occupancy, warranty walkthrough.
Timelines compress when site due diligence (water, septic, floodplain, soil) runs in parallel with design. They extend when those wait until design is finalized.
What a Luxury Custom Home Build Costs
- $400 to $500+ per square foot on the lower end of luxury, with conventional framing and high-quality but not bespoke finishes.
- $600 to $800+ per square foot for highly customized estates with ICF walls, custom millwork, integrated smart-home systems, and architect-led design responding to a specific site.
- 5–15% site work premium on rural Hill Country land vs. an urban tear-down-and-rebuild, driven by clearing, driveway, well, septic, propane, and electric service drops.
For a deeper read on cost variables specific to Austin and Hill Country builds, see our cost per square foot guide. For the broader market context, including what defines luxury homes in Texas across architecture styles, regional markets, and material expectations, see our regional buyer’s guide. For the broader process on your own land, see the statewide guide to custom home building on your Texas land.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Custom Home Building Process
Tell Us About the Home You Want to Build
Wherever you are in these steps (first sketches, lot search, or ready to design) share a few details and our architect-led team will help you map what comes next.
