I'm regularly asked just how long it takes to build a Hurlocker Home. As always, that depends. I usually try to work backwards from a desired move in date. Lets say that you wanted to move in in early September 2010. If your house is a fairly typical 3000+- heated square foot Hurlocker house, it will take about 12 months to build. The design process is a big variable. Some clients are "quick studies" and others take more time. I think a good rule of thumb is to allow 6 months for the design to permit process. In the above example, we should begin design in early March of '09. There are some additional issues that can delay the process. Some subdivisions have more time consuming architectural review and approval processes. Some sites require additional time because of excavation of rock, expansive soils, long driveways, or well drilling to name a few. There is also a different permit process for the City and the County. I generally recommend a Spring start for a new house because it will allow us to pour slabs, frame, roof, and stucco before the snow flies. Therefore, I might suggest to the owner in the above example that we begin the design work around the 1st of the year. One thing we're convinced of, however, is that an integrated design/build process with single point project management from the beginning to the end is the most efficient delivery system available. It allows to complete a home on time and on budget most of the time.