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How Long Does It Take To Build A Home In Johnson County? A Realistic Timeline

Written by Richard "Rocky" Rhodes | Mar. 07, 2025

Building a home is not an overnight process, if we’re being honest, but this doesn’t make bringing your dreams to life any less exciting. So how long does it take to build a custom home in Johnson County, KS? The answer? It depends. 

In this blog, we’ve discussed the different phases of construction and their timelines to give you a better idea of how long it could take us at Dusty Rhodes Homes to build your custom home. We’ve also shared some factors that can impact the overall timeline. So continue reading as we break down the average time to build a luxury home. 

Pre-Construction: Laying the Groundwork

Before we can begin construction on your Johnson County home, we must do a lot of behind-the-scenes work. This stage can take months, and it's crucial as we determine everything you need and want and get everything ready. 

We also help you evaluate what is doable and what might be best left as an idea. Let’s take a closer look:

Designing Your Home (1-3 Months)

After you have a better idea of what you want, you’ll work with an architect or design-build firm like Dusty Rhodes Homes. Your chosen contractor will create a blueprint for your home, and this stage can take one to three months since custom homes require a more tailored approach. 

While designing your blueprint, you’ll likely undergo two to three—or more—rounds of revision to ensure the architect or design-builder has achieved your vision, from square footage and floor plan to materials and features. 

Securing Permits & Approvals (1-2 Months)

After your blueprint and design have been finalized, you can begin the permitting process. This can be a challenging part of the build process, but if you work with a reputable design-build firm like Dusty Rhodes Homes, they can handle everything. 

In Johnson County, the timeline for permits can vary based on the home's complexity and the local authorities' current workload. Some areas may require additional approvals for zoning, septic systems, or environmental impact, which can add time to this phase. However, on average, it is expected to last one to two months. 

Selecting Materials & Finalizing Contracts (4-6 Weeks)

Choosing materials and finishes is one of the most exciting parts of the pre-construction phase, so it's likely the part you’re looking forward to the most. It will take roughly one to two months to select the desired materials and finalize building contracts.

Sometimes,  supply chain issues can extend this timeline. That’s why locking in selections early helps avoid delays once construction is underway on your Johnson County home.

Construction: Turning Plans into Reality 

With pre-construction out of the way, it's time to look at how long the construction stage will take. Below, we’ve broken down each part of it and the expected timeframe:

Site Preparation & Foundation (1-2 Months)

The first part of constructing your home involves site preparation, which involves preparing the Johnson County land you’ve chosen. This often involves clearing unwanted trees and debris, leveling the ground, and ensuring proper drainage. 

Once this is done, your contractor will excavate and prepare for footings and the foundation walls to be poured and cure . Depending on the type of foundation you’ve chosen – crawl space, basement, or a simple slab – and the weather, this can take one to two months. 

Framing & Structural Work (4-6 Weeks)

Your home will take shape after the site is prepared, the foundation is ready, and the framing begins to go up. Framing usually takes one to two months since the floors, walls, and roof are installed and the overall structure is developed. After installing your framing, your builder will add the exterior doors and windows to make your home weather-tight. 

Rough-Ins: Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC (4-6 Weeks)

Now, it’s time to install the essential systems. Plumbers, electricians, and HVAC specialists work simultaneously with your builder to ensure everything is in place before insulation and drywall are installed. You should expect inspections at this stage to help keep the custom home-building process moving smoothly. The timeframe for this stage is about one to two months. 

Insulation & Drywall (4-6 Weeks)

After the rough-in phase, insulation is installed to improve energy efficiency, followed by drywall installation. Once the walls are up, your Johnson County house looks more like a home. This phase also includes taping, mudding, and priming the drywall, which is why it can take one to two months to complete.

Interior & Exterior Finishes (3-4 Months)

The interior and exterior finishes phase includes everything that makes the house feel like home. Cabinets, countertops, flooring, painting, and trim work are completed inside, while exterior finishes such as siding, stonework, and landscaping take shape outside. Since it includes a lot of work, you should expect it to take two to four months to finalize. 

Final Touches & Inspections (1-2 Months)

The final weeks involve installing appliances, light fixtures, and plumbing fixtures. Then, the home undergoes final inspections to ensure everything meets the building codes in Johnson County. 
A final walkthrough with your trusted builder ensures everything meets your expectations before move-in day. You can expect the final touches and inspection process to take one to two months. 

Factors That Can Affect Your Timeline

Although we wish every home build would transpire without any issues, the reality is that many factors can affect how long your home build takes in Johnson County. Below, we’ve briefly touched on these factors so that you’re aware of what could cause a slight delay: 

  • Weather Delays: Rain, snow, and extreme temperatures can slow down construction, especially during the foundation and framing stages.

  • Material Availability: Supply chain issues or special-order items can extend the timeline as discussed above.

  • Permit Delays: If the county is backed up with permit applications, it may take longer to get approvals.

  • Change Orders: Any design changes – yes, even those seemingly small ones – mid-build can push the timeline back.

  • Labor Shortages: Skilled tradespeople are in high demand, sometimes leading to scheduling delays in Johnson County.

Speak with Dusty Rhodes Homes about Your Custom Builds Timeline

Now you have an answer to: How long does it take to build a house from start to finish? On average, building a custom home in Johnson County takes 10 to 21 months, depending on the complexity of your design and external factors. 

What is the best way to keep things moving efficiently? Work with an experienced builder like Dusty Rhodes Homes, who understands the local permitting process, has strong relationships with suppliers, and keeps communication clear throughout the project.

At Dusty Rhodes Homes, we’re Johnson County home builders that prioritize building the house you want based on your vision and preferences. We’ll work alongside you to complete it quickly without sacrificing quality. To learn more about our design-build services in Johnson County or the custom home building timeline in Overland Park, KS, you can contact us here