How Long Will My Project Take?

A Timeline from Dream to Move-In

A few months ago, I met with a couple who had just bought a beautiful lot on the edge of town. They had big dreams: a light-filled home with space for their kids to grow, a garden they could actually use, and a kitchen that didn’t feel like a hallway. They were energized—excited, full of ideas—but there was also hesitation. Not because they weren’t ready, but because they weren’t sure what to expect.

“How long does this really take?” the husband asked. Not in a skeptical way. In a realistic one. Between their jobs, a child on the way, and trying to sell their current house, they didn’t want to be naive about the timeline. They wanted to be smart.

It’s a question I get all the time—and one that deserves a thoughtful answer. Because the truth is, architecture isn’t just about drawings or construction. It’s a series of decisions and milestones, and when you know what’s coming, it becomes a lot easier to navigate.

0. Initial Contact

Before we even begin the formal design process, there’s a brief pre-project phase—and it’s an important one. After your initial inquiry, we’ll typically schedule a discovery call to talk through your goals, constraints, timeline, and project type. If it feels like a good fit, we’ll send over a short project questionnaire to gather more detail. That helps us build a clear picture of your needs and priorities, so we can create a tailored proposal and agreement outlining scope, services, and fees. From first contact to signed agreement, this early onboarding usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, depending on how quickly decisions are made.

Once the agreement is signed and the retainer is received, we step into the first official phase of the design process: the Needs & Options Assessment.

At Mon.Archi, every full service project moves through five clear phases, from discovery to documentation to construction. Whether you’re starting a new build or reworking a home you’ve lived in for years, these phases help bring structure, clarity, and momentum to the process.

Let’s walk through what each one looks like—and how long they typically take.

1. Needs & Options Assessment

Timeframe: 2–4 weeks

This is the “listening” phase, and it’s where every project begins.

Just as nature follows an intrinsic order, every great design is rooted in purpose. Before a single line is drawn, we seek to understand the core values that shape your vision. We can design anything, but we first need to understand who you are, how you live, and what you need from your home. Maybe you’re working remotely and need a flexible office. Maybe you’re caring for aging parents. Maybe you’re planning for kids who don’t exist yet—but will.

This phase is about more than square footage. It’s about values, rhythms, constraints, and priorities. We walk the property, study site conditions, review relevant zoning/code requirements, and ask a lot of questions—some you may not have considered yet. We look at multiple pathways to move forward and help you weigh their feasibility, budget impacts, and long-term flexibility.

As part of this phase, we also take on the necessary due diligence—researching local development codes, deed restrictions, utility easements, permitting requirements, and environmental conditions like floodplain zones or tree protection ordinances. These invisible forces often shape what’s possible long before design begins. Understanding them early helps prevent costly surprises later.

By the end, you’ll have a clear and realistic outline of what’s possible—and a roadmap for what comes next.

2. Schematic Design

Timeframe: 4–6 weeks

Here’s where the ideas start to take shape.

We begin translating the insights from Phase 1 into spatial concepts—floor plans, massing studies, and early 3D sketches that help you see the project. This phase is about organizing the bones of the design: how spaces relate to one another, how the building sits on the site, where the sun comes in, how you move through the house.

We explore multiple iterations and get your feedback along the way. What you like, what you don’t, what surprises you. It’s an iterative process that allows us to hone in on a direction that feels aligned with both your goals and your lived experience.

This isn’t about “final answers”—it’s about discovering the right path forward.

3. Design Development

Timeframe: 6–8 weeks

Once we have a solid concept, we start layering in depth.

In this phase, we refine the architecture and start developing the actual materials, finishes, and systems that will define how the home feels and performs. We draw detailed plans and elevations, finalize major components like windows and doors, and begin coordinating with engineers and consultants.

We’ll also explore natural ventilation, daylighting strategies, energy performance, and indoor-outdoor flow—especially important if your project is located in a hot and humid climate. This is where Mon.Archi’s focus on passive design and biophilic principles really starts to show up in tangible ways.

Design Development isn’t just about beauty—it’s about alignment between form, function, and budget.

4. Construction Documents

Timeframe: 8–16 weeks (+ 4–8 weeks permitting)

After the design is resolved, it’s time to make it buildable.

This phase is about precision. We produce a full set of technical drawings and specifications that will guide the construction process. These documents are used by your contractor to price and build the project, and they’re submitted to the city for permitting.

We coordinate closely with engineers and consultants to resolve technical issues and ensure code compliance. This includes everything from structural systems and waterproofing details to energy calculations and fixture schedules.

Permitting timelines vary depending on location and project type, but in Houston, for example, you can generally expect reviews to take 4 to 8 weeks—sometimes more if you’re in a historic district or floodplain. If you need zoning variances or replatting, these separate processes will add to the timeline.

While this phase doesn’t feel as “creative” as the others, it’s arguably the most important in terms of protecting your investment and keeping construction smooth.

5. Construction Administration

Timeframe: 6–18 months

With permits approved and a builder selected, construction begins—and so does our role as your advocate in the field.

We remain actively involved through site visits, coordination meetings, and design clarifications. We help troubleshoot issues that come up (they always do), review submittals from the contractor, and ensure that what gets built reflects what was designed.

Timelines for this phase vary significantly. Smaller renovations might wrap in 6–9 months, while new custom homes often take 12–18 months depending on complexity, weather, supply chain issues, and subcontractor availability.

Construction can be unpredictable. But a clear set of documents, a collaborative contractor, and a committed architect make all the difference.

So, how long will my project take?

From our first conversation to move-in day, most full-service Mon.Archi projects take 12 to 24 months. That includes design, documentation, permitting, and construction.

Yes, it’s a time investment. But it’s also the process of shaping the environment you’ll live your life in for years to come. The kitchen where your kids do homework. The living room where you host Thanksgiving. The backyard you’ve always wanted to wake up to.

Good homes take time. Great ones take intention.

That couple I mentioned at the beginning? They decided to move forward- well knowing that even though the next couple years seemed really scary, it was worth knowing that their kids would grow up in a space that was intentionally designed for them. They’ve told me more than once how glad they are that they didn’t rush into just any home. That the clarity from the early phases is giving them confidence when decisions get hard. That the timeline made space for creativity through what they expected to be chaos.

Ready to explore what this timeline might look like for your project?

We’re here to guide you through it—step by step, phase by phase. If you’re planning a new build or a thoughtful renovation and want to understand what’s next, reach out. We’d love to help you get clear on the road ahead.