One of the first things people ask when they’re thinking about building a custom home in Edmonton is some version of: “How long is this going to take?” It’s a fair question, and the honest answer is usually 12 to 14 months from contract signing to possession — sometimes less on a straightforward build, sometimes more if permits drag or selections get delayed.
What most people don’t know going in is what’s actually happening during those months. The build can feel quiet from the outside for stretches, then suddenly move fast. Knowing what phase you’re in — and what’s coming next — makes the whole experience a lot less stressful.
This is a month-by-month breakdown of how a typical Landry Homes build unfolds in Edmonton and surrounding communities like Sherwood Park, St. Albert, and Leduc. Your specific timeline will vary based on lot conditions, permit timelines, and your selections — but this gives you a realistic picture of the full arc.
| “The build itself is only part of the timeline. Pre-construction — design, permits, and selections — is where most delays actually start.” |
The Full Timeline at a Glance
Before we go month by month, here’s the big-picture view of how a custom home build breaks down into phases:
| Phase | What Happens | Typical Duration |
| Pre-Construction | Consult, design, permits | Months 1–3 |
| Foundation & Frame | Excavation, concrete, framing | Months 4–5 |
| Rough-Ins | Mechanical, electrical, insulation | Month 6 |
| Lock-Up & Drywall | Windows, exterior, drywall | Months 7–8 |
| Interior Finishing | Flooring, cabinets, trim, paint | Months 9–11 |
| Final & Possession | Inspections, walkthrough, keys | Month 12–14 |
Total: 12–14 months for most builds. Simpler builds with finalized plans and no permit backlog can move faster. Larger or more complex homes — walkout basements, significant custom millwork, multi-car garages — run longer.
Phase 1: Pre-Construction (Months 1–3)
This phase happens before a shovel touches your lot — and it’s where the foundation of a smooth build is laid. Rushing through it causes the most expensive problems later.
| MONTHS 1–2 — Design, Selection & Contract Everything gets decided on paper before it gets built. |
| Month 1 | PRE-CONSTRUCTION Consultation & Design Kickoff Initial consultation — lot review, budget discussion, wish listBuilder selects a floor plan base or starts custom designPreliminary layout reviewed and adjustedIntroduction to the selections process (finishes, fixtures, cabinets)Preliminary budget confirmed against design scope ⚠ This is the most important month of the build. Decisions made here affect everything downstream. |
| Month 2 | PRE-CONSTRUCTION Finalize Plans & Selections Final floor plan approved and engineered drawings orderedFinish selections completed: flooring, tile, cabinetry, countertops, plumbing fixturesElectrical plan reviewed (pot lights, panel location, EV rough-in, etc.)Fixed-price contract drafted and reviewedContract signed — build officially begins ⚠ Late finish selections are the single biggest cause of construction delays. Lock them in here. |
| Month 3 | PRE-CONSTRUCTION Permits & Pre-Build Prep Permit application submitted to the City of Edmonton or relevant municipalityPermit review period — typically 4–8 weeks in Edmonton (can vary)Site survey and lot staking completedTrade contracts confirmed and schedules locked inPre-construction meeting with your builder ⚠ Edmonton permit timelines vary. Surrounding municipalities like Leduc and Spruce Grove often move faster. |
Phase 2: Foundation & Framing (Months 4–5)
Permits in hand, it’s time to break ground. This phase moves quickly and is when the home starts to feel real.
| MONTHS 4–5 — Excavation, Concrete & Frame The skeleton of the home goes up. |
| Month 4 | FOUNDATION Excavation & Concrete Work Excavation crew mobilizes — lot is dug to foundation depthFootings poured and inspectedFoundation walls formed and poured (ICF or poured concrete)Waterproofing, drainage tile, and backfill completedUnderslab plumbing rough-in completed before slab is pouredGarage slab and main floor slab poured ⚠ Edmonton’s frost line means deeper excavation than many provinces. This is non-negotiable and properly budgeted in your contract. |
| Month 5 | FRAMING Wall Framing, Roof & Windows Main floor walls framedSecond floor decking and wall framingRoof trusses set and sheathedWindows and exterior doors installed (weather-tight stage)House wrap and exterior sheathing appliedRough staircase built |
Phase 3: Rough-Ins (Month 6)
Now that the structure is up and weather-tight, the mechanical trades move in. Plumbers, electricians, and HVAC crews are all on site during this phase — often coordinating closely to avoid conflicts in tight spaces.
| MONTH 6 — Mechanical, Electrical & HVAC Everything that runs behind the walls goes in now. |
| Month 6 | ROUGH-INS Mechanical Rough-In Stage Rough plumbing — drains, supply lines, ventingRough electrical — panel location, circuit runs, pot light boxes, switchesHVAC ductwork and furnace rough-inHRV (heat recovery ventilator) installation — standard on all Alberta buildsGas line rough-inRough-in inspections completed (required before insulation)Insulation installed — walls, attic, and rim joists ⚠ Alberta Building Code requires HRV systems. Higher insulation specs (R-24+ walls) are worth asking about here if not already in your contract. |
Phase 4: Lock-Up & Drywall (Months 7–8)
The home reaches lock-up — exterior is complete, windows and doors are in, and the home is secured. Interior work shifts into high gear.
| MONTHS 7–8 — Exterior Finishing & Drywall The home closes in, and the interior starts taking shape. |
| Month 7 | LOCK-UP Exterior Cladding & Interior Prep Siding or exterior cladding installed (hardie board, vinyl, wood, stucco, or stone)Exterior trim, fascia, and soffits completedRoofing finalized — shingles or metalDrywall delivery and hang beginsTaping, mudding, and sanding — multiple coats |
| Month 8 | DRYWALL & TEXTURE Drywall Complete & Primer Final coat of drywall mud and sandingTexture applied if specified (smooth, skip trowel, knock-down)Primer coat applied throughoutGarage drywalled and primedExterior painting or staining (weather-permitting) ⚠ Drywall is dusty and slow — this phase tests patience. The transformation from month 8 to month 9 is dramatic. |
Phase 5: Interior Finishing (Months 9–11)
This is the phase that most resembles what clients picture when they think about “building their home.” Cabinets, flooring, tile, fixtures, and trim all come together during this stretch.
| MONTHS 9–11 — Cabinets, Flooring, Fixtures & Trim The home transforms from a construction site to a home. |
| Month 9 | INTERIOR FINISHING Cabinets, Stairs & Tile Kitchen and bathroom cabinets installedFinished staircase and railings installedTile work: bathrooms, mudroom, kitchen backsplashHardwood or LVP flooring installation begins (after tile is done)Exterior concrete: driveway and walkways poured (weather-dependent) ⚠ Cabinet delivery lead times are 8–12 weeks — this is why selections must be locked in at Month 2. |
| Month 10 | INTERIOR FINISHING Countertops, Fixtures & Paint Countertop templating completed, countertops fabricated and installedPlumbing trim-out: faucets, sinks, toilets, showersElectrical trim-out: switches, plugs, light fixtures, panel labeledHVAC trim-out: registers, grilles, thermostatInterior paint — walls, ceilings, trimTrim and millwork installed: baseboards, casing, crown if specified |
| Month 11 | INTERIOR FINISHING Appliances, Hardware & Touch-Ups Appliances delivered and installedCabinet hardware installedInterior doors hung and hardware installedMirror and bath accessories installedTouch-up painting and caulking throughoutFlooring completed in remaining areasGarage door and openers installed |
Phase 6: Final Inspections & Possession (Months 12–14)
The home is nearly done. This final phase is about inspections, deficiency resolution, and a clean handover — not cutting corners to hit an arbitrary date.
| MONTHS 12–14 — Inspections, Deficiencies & Keys Cross the finish line the right way. |
| Month 12–13 | FINAL PHASE Inspections & Pre-Possession Walk Municipal final inspection and occupancy permit applicationNew Home Warranty Program (ANHWP) enrollment completedPre-possession walkthrough with client — deficiency list createdAll deficiencies repaired and re-inspectedCleaning crew completes full home cleanLandscaping rough grade completed (full landscaping often seasonal) ⚠ Occupancy permits can take 1–3 weeks to process after final inspection. This is normal and not within the builder’s control. |
| Month 13–14 | POSSESSION Possession Day Final walkthrough completed — all deficiencies confirmed resolvedKeys handed overWarranty documentation providedBuilder contact info and trades list shared for any post-possession questions1-year warranty service period begins |
What Actually Delays a Custom Home Build in Edmonton?
Most delays don’t come from construction — they come from decisions. Here’s an honest look at what causes timelines to slip:
| Delay Factor | What It Affects | Typical Impact |
| Permit backlog | Start of construction | 2–8 weeks |
| Client change orders | Framing onward | 1–6 weeks |
| Long-lead materials | Cabinets, windows, appliances | 2–12 weeks |
| Weather (severe) | Foundation, framing, exterior | 1–3 weeks |
| Trade scheduling gaps | Mechanical, drywall, flooring | 1–4 weeks |
| Late finish selections | Ordering delays ripple forward | 2–8 weeks |
The most common delay we see: clients who haven’t finalized their finish selections before the cabinet order needs to go in. A 10-week cabinet lead time doesn’t wait for you to decide between two shades of white.
Edmonton-Specific Timeline Factors
Building in Edmonton and the surrounding area comes with a few timeline considerations that don’t apply in every market:
Winter construction
Edmonton’s winters don’t stop construction — but they do slow foundation and exterior work. Concrete pours require heating and blankets below certain temperatures. We plan for this. A build that starts in October will account for winter conditions in the foundation and framing schedule.
Permit timelines by municipality
City of Edmonton permit review typically takes 4–8 weeks for residential permits, though this varies with volume. Sherwood Park (Strathcona County), St. Albert, Leduc, and Spruce Grove often have faster review periods — sometimes 2–4 weeks. We submit early and follow up. It’s part of the job.
Utility connections
In newer Edmonton communities and surrounding developments, utility connections (gas, power, water, sewer) are usually pre-stubbed at the lot line. In rural or acreage builds, connection timelines vary — and can occasionally add 2–4 weeks to the pre-construction phase if utility servicing needs to be coordinated separately.
Landscaping is seasonal
Most clients take possession with rough grade complete and full landscaping deferred to spring. If you’re taking possession in October through April, plan to finish exterior landscaping the following season. This is normal and expected.
Common Timeline Questions
Can we move faster than 12 months?
On a simpler build with a ready lot, finalized plans, and fast permits — yes, some builds come in at 10–11 months. We don’t rush for the sake of speed. A home built in 10 months the right way is better than one built in 9 months with skipped curing times.
What happens if something gets delayed?
We communicate it to you directly and early. If a permit takes longer than expected or a trade has a scheduling gap, you’ll hear from us before it surprises you. We’d rather give you a heads-up than explain after the fact.
Can we visit the site during the build?
Yes — with a heads-up. Active construction sites have real hazards and active trade schedules. We set up regular site visits at key milestones (post-frame, post-rough-in, pre-drywall) so you can see what’s happening and ask questions with context.
When should we line up financing?
Construction mortgages work on a draw schedule — funds are released in stages as the build progresses. Get your financing approved and your draw schedule confirmed before you sign your build contract. Talk to a mortgage broker who has experience with new construction in Alberta.
Ready to Start Your Timeline?
Every build starts with a conversation. If you have a lot, a floor plan, or just an idea — that’s enough to get started. We’ll walk you through a realistic schedule for your specific situation, in plain language.
Landry Homes builds custom homes across Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan, and surrounding communities. Fixed-price contracts, direct builder communication, and no surprises.
Let’s talk about your build timeline.
☎ 780-257-8642 | jamie@landryhomes.ca | Book a Free Consultation →
