How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home in Central Wisconsin?
One of the first questions we hear from homeowners is, “How long will it take to build our home?”
As a home builder based in Central Wisconsin, serving areas like Wausau, Mosinee, Merrill, and Tomahawk, we’ve built everything from simple new homes to highly detailed, fully custom homes. The short answer is: it depends — but understanding what affects your build time can help set realistic expectations.
Typical Building Timeframes
See the average build time (groundbreaking to move-in) and what impacts it, for each type of home.
Simple or starter home
3 - 6 months
Straightforward design, standard finishes, fewer customization steps.
Mid-level custom home
5 - 10 months
More design features, specialty materials, and detailed finishing.
Fully custom home
8 - 14+ months
Unique architecture, high-end materials, or complex site work.
Note: These timelines start once we break ground. The planning and design phase happens before that and depending on the complexity of your home, that can add:
½ to 2 months for a more simple new home
1 to 4 months for a mid-level custom home
3 to 6+ months for a fully custom home
The Major Phases of a Custom Build
Here’s how the process typically unfolds when building new homes in Central Wisconsin:
Site Prep & Foundation (1–2 months)
Excavation, grading, and foundation work depend heavily on weather and soil conditions, especially with our freeze/thaw cycles in Wisconsin.Framing & Exterior Shell (1–2 months)
Once walls, trusses, and roofing go up, we “dry in” the home so interior work can begin regardless of weather.Rough-Ins, Inspections & Drywall (1–2 months)
This stage includes electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and insulation. It’s also when most municipal inspections take place.Interior Finishes & Exterior Details (1-3 months)
Flooring, trim, cabinetry, paint, and exterior siding all come together. This is where a home really starts to take shape.Final Walkthrough & Move-In (2–4 weeks)
The last step includes final inspections, finishing touches, and making sure every detail meets our standards.
What Affects Build Time in Central Wisconsin
Every home site and design comes with its own variables. In Wausau, Mosinee, Merrill, and Tomahawk, the biggest factors we see include:
Weather – Winter temperatures and spring thaw slow down excavation and concrete work.
Material lead times – Custom cabinetry, windows, and specialty items can take months to arrive.
Site conditions – Uneven terrain, tree clearing, or poor soil can add prep time.
Trade schedules – Quality trade contractors are in high demand; scheduling them efficiently takes coordination.
Design changes – Adjusting layouts or finishes mid-project can extend the timeline.
How We Keep Projects Moving
At Jones & Jones, we’ve learned that timing a build is part planning, part communication, and part flexibility. Here’s how we help keep things on schedule:
Begin design and permitting well before the ground thaws.
Finalize all selections early - before framing begins if possible.
Use well-vetted, local trades and suppliers familiar with Central Wisconsin conditions.
Keep communication consistent with clients, trades, and inspectors.
Build realistic timelines with weather and lead times in mind.
Final Thoughts
Building a new home is one of the most rewarding experiences there is - especially when you understand the process and timeline from the start.
If you’re thinking about building a custom home in Wausau, Mosinee, Merrill, Tomahawk, or surrounding areas in central Wisconsin, we’d love to help you plan your project and set clear expectations from day one.
