What are the actual phases of building a custom home here?

Short answer: Design & planning (2–3 months) → permits and municipal approvals (1–2 months) → site prep and foundation (1–2 months) → structural construction (3–4 months) → plumbing and electrical (1–2 months) → windows, doors, and waterproofing (1 month) → interior finishes (2–3 months) → exterior work and landscaping (1 month).

Why it matters: Knowing the real phase breakdown helps you understand where your project actually is at any given moment — and makes it much easier to spot a phase that’s running long before it becomes a real problem.

What to check:

• Ask for a schedule broken down by these phases, with target dates for each
• Confirm which phases can run in parallel and which can’t
• Ask what typically causes each phase to slip

Bottom line: A house isn’t built in one long push — it’s built in sequential phases, and understanding them turns “how’s it going?” into a real conversation instead of a guess.