Phase by phase
| Phase | Duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility | 1 – 2 weeks | Zoning, utilities, access and budget confirmed |
| Financing | 4 – 8 weeks | Runs parallel with design |
| Design & engineering | 4 – 8 weeks | Plans, structural, Title 24 |
| Permitting | 8 – 16 weeks | Plan check, corrections, issuance |
| Site work & foundation | 3 – 5 weeks | Trenching, utilities, slab or piers |
| Construction or set | 8 – 20 weeks | Factory set or full site framing to finish |
| Inspections & CO | 2 – 4 weeks | Final sign-offs and certificate of occupancy |
The five delays that actually happen
Notice that four of the five are front-loaded and preventable. Utility scheduling is the one true external dependency, which is why we file service applications the week the permit is submitted rather than the week it issues.
- Incomplete first submittal — one resubmittal cycle costs 4 to 8 weeks
- Utility company scheduling for a new service or meter set, frequently 6 to 12 weeks
- Owner-driven design changes after plans are in plan check
- Sewer or septic capacity discovered late, forcing redesign
- Financing approval lagging behind permit issuance and stalling the start
How to compress the schedule
Run design, financing and utility applications in parallel instead of sequentially — that alone saves six to ten weeks. Use a plan that has already been permitted in your jurisdiction, or a pre-approved plan where the city offers one. Choose modular if your lot has crane access, since factory production overlaps site work. And lock your finish selections before framing; late selections stall trades in the most expensive part of the schedule.