If you’re building in Utah, you already know this place has something unique to offer. From mountain ski towns like Park City to upscale retreats in Heber and Midway, you can build the custom, luxury home of your dreams.
So, how long does it take to build a custom home in Utah? The answer depends on location, home size, permitting, and personal design preferences; here’s a detailed breakdown based on what we typically see at E Builders.
Building a custom home in Utah typically takes 16 to 18 months from start to finish. The process includes five major stages:
You can click on each stage to hop directly to that phase on our site. Unfortunately, it's not quite that easy in person.
Each stage has its own timeline, and it’s our job to keep things moving without compromising quality. While people typically think of the timeline to build a home as the hammer and nails portion, it's much longer than that.
As supply chains change, it's important to understand that these timelines may also adjust. Hiring a builder sooner rather than later can help you build and then move into the home of your dreams on time. Our process will remain the same, but certain timelines might be extended as supply chain sourcing changes.
This is where the journey begins. During your initial meeting with us, we'll discuss your goals, walk through your vision, and explore the specifics of your future home.
We’ll also discuss:
Whether you’ve already purchased land
Budget alignment
Desired timeline
Community guidelines or zoning restrictions (if applicable)
This phase takes, on average, just a couple of weeks and sets the foundation for the rest of the project. We often help find and survey lots and coordinate early feasibility reviews for our clients relocating from out of state.
This is where your vision becomes real. It's also one of the best parts of building a luxury, custom home because you get to express your ideas and work with professionals who are focused on bringing them to life.
In this first design stage, we work with you to sketch floor plans, determine layout preferences, and identify stylistic direction.
This phase is highly collaborative. We encourage you to bring feedback and inspiration to the table. Want to know how much your custom home might cost? We have a cost guide resource to help you with that.
Once the basic structure is agreed upon, we discuss architectural details, engineering plans, finish materials, and cabinet layouts. We also make interior and exterior selections, including stone, metalwork, lighting, and more.
Typically, the full design process (preliminary and development combined) takes 3–4 months. This phase is key to staying on schedule once construction begins.
How long does it take to get permits in Utah? With design finalized, we move to permitting. The timeline here depends heavily on your city or county. Certain locations often have more design review steps, while other areas in Utah may move more quickly.
On average, permitting takes about 1 month, but timelines may vary depending on jurisdiction.
E Builders handles the entire permitting process for you, including:
Submitting architectural and engineering plans
Responding to comments or revisions
Navigating HOA or architectural committee reviews, if needed
Our long-standing relationships with local officials and inspectors help us manage approvals efficiently and proactively.
Before building a custom home in Utah, you need site prep to prepare the property for your new build.
We handle all site prep and excavation internally. This includes:
Clearing and excavation
Grading and drainage
Engineering soil and slope plans
Utility planning
Landscape preparation
The lot’s location often influences site prep. For example, mountainside properties may require deeper excavation or retaining walls, and lots in the valley might need specific grading to manage water flow.
Our team creates engineered grading and drainage plans unique to your site. Because we manage this phase in-house, we’re able to begin shortly after permits are issued, minimizing downtime.
How long does it take to build a custom home? Once site prep is complete, we begin construction. A luxury custom home typically takes 12 -18 months to build.
This phase includes:
Framing
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC rough-ins
Roofing, windows, and exterior finishes
Drywall, trim, cabinetry, and flooring
Painting and final details
Landscaping and exterior hardscaping
Every home is built by the same trusted tradespeople we’ve used for years. You'll also notice that our team wears our branded gear and represents our values on every site. That means consistency, accountability, and craftsmanship at every step.
Unlike high-volume builders, we don’t rush. We deliver exceptional homes, not quick ones.
That depends on what you mean by a house. Let's dig into definitions. A production home can sometimes be completed in 6–8 months because it’s built from a template with very few customizations.
A custom home, designed around your life, aesthetic, and land, takes longer for good reason. You're not just getting walls and a roof. You’re getting curated materials, structural engineering, hand-selected finishes, and a space tailored to your lifestyle.
Speed may be tempting, but luxury never comes from shortcuts.
If you haven’t purchased land yet, E Builders can help. Buying land in Utah comes with unique considerations:
Topography: Is the lot steep or flat? This will affect excavation costs.
Soils: Some areas require reinforcement or special footings.
Utilities: Not every lot is “ready to build.” Power, water, and gas access vary.
HOAs or ARCs: Many communities have architectural review committees.
Access: Proximity to roads, schools, ski resorts, or recreation may impact your lifestyle and your budget.
We’ve worked in every terrain Utah offers, from ski-in/ski-out lots to valley estates, and can guide you through selection with clarity and confidence.
You want to work with a team that brings decades of experience, strong relationships, and a portfolio full of high-quality projects. You also want a team that can comfortably tell you how much it costs to build a custom home in Utah before you even begin. With decades of combined expertise and long-standing connections with Utah’s top trades, architects, and suppliers, we consistently deliver luxury without the inflated markups.
Our clients benefit from a builder who knows the land, understands the local permitting, the landscape, and efficiently navigates city approvals. From the first consultation to the final walkthrough, we bring clarity, structure, and responsiveness, making your custom build experience a great one.
Because we work with the same core teams across every project in our service area, you’re not just getting skilled craftsmanship; you’re getting trusted execution from professionals who know our process, expectations, and standards. And thanks to those relationships, we’re often able to offer greater value without compromising on material quality or design integrity.
If you're ready to decide to build a custom home with our team, we'd love to hear from you.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more.