How Long Does It Take to Draw Plans for a House?

This is one of the most common questions I get and also one of the most misunderstood.

The short answer is: it depends.

The more helpful answer is: it depends on what kind of plans you’re starting with, how many decisions need to be made, and how many outside factors are involved.

Having designed everything from ready-to-build stock plans to fully custom homes, I’ve seen projects move incredibly fast and I’ve seen others drag on far longer than anyone expected. The difference is rarely the drawing itself.

Let’s break it down.

“Drawing Plans” Is Only One Piece of the Timeline

When people ask how long it takes to draw house plans, they’re usually combining three separate phases into one question:

1. Design & plan adjustments

2. Engineering review

3. Permitting

Each phase has its own timeline, and delays in one don’t always mean delays in the others. Understanding this upfront helps set realistic expectations.

Stock House Plans: The Fastest Starting Point

The majority of our projects begin with stock plans, not a blank sheet of paper.

Our stock designs typically range from 1,800 to 7,000 square feet of finished space above grade, and most include full basements. Because the core layout is already designed, clients aren’t starting from zero they’re starting in what would traditionally be considered Design Development.

This alone can shave months off the timeline compared to a fully custom home.

Phase 1: Plan Adjustments & Redlines (2–6 Weeks)

For stock plans, this phase is about refinement, not reinvention.

Common changes include:

• Adjusting room sizes or layouts

• Modifying kitchens, primary suites, or basements

• Window and door placement tweaks

• Minor exterior or roofline adjustments

We typically:

• Turn plan revisions around within about a week

• Meet weekly for fast-tracked projects

• Or bi-weekly (which I prefer), giving clients time to actually review the drawings and make thoughtful decisions

Depending on the number of changes and how quickly decisions are made, this phase usually takes 2 to 6 weeks.

Some clients purchase plans as-is with no changes. In those cases, this phase is minimal and the plans can move straight to engineering.

Phase 2: Engineering Review (2–4 Weeks)

Once the plans are finalized, they go through structural engineering.

This phase includes:

• Structural design and review

• Foundation and framing coordination

• Integration with the architectural drawings

Engineering typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on:

• Engineer workload

• Project complexity

• Time of year (holidays can slow things down)

This phase doesn’t involve much back-and-forth, but it’s critical and not something you want rushed.

Phase 3: Permitting (Anywhere from 1 Week to Several Months)

Permitting is the biggest wildcard in the entire process.

Approval timelines vary dramatically based on:

• City vs. county jurisdiction

• Reviewer workload

• HOA requirements

• Site constraints

I’ve had projects where permits were approved in under a week, and others where the process took several months. One project, due to jurisdictional and review issues, took nearly a year to receive approval.

At that point, the drawings were done the delay had nothing to do with design.

The Biggest Factor That Affects Timeline

After years in this industry, I can confidently say the biggest variable isn’t the designer, the software, or even the house size.

It’s decision-making.

Projects move quickly when clients:

• Make clear, confident decisions

• Limit reopening items that were already resolved

• Understand their priorities early

Projects slow down when:

• Decisions are deferred

• Too many options remain “open”

• HOA or third-party input comes in late

The plans don’t slow projects down—indecision does.

How This Compares to Custom Home Design

Fully custom homes naturally take longer because they include:

• Conceptual design

• Multiple layout iterations

• Site-specific massing and orientation studies

• More extensive coordination from day one

Custom projects often spend several months in design before engineering even begins. Stock plans bypass that front-end process, which is why they’re such an efficient option for many homeowners.

A Realistic Timeline to Expect

For most stock-plan projects, a realistic breakdown looks like this:

• Plan adjustments: 2–6 weeks

• Engineering: 2–4 weeks

• Permitting: 1 week to several months

Best-case scenario: 1–2 months total

More realistic expectation: 2–4+ months, depending on jurisdiction and approvals

Final Thoughts

If you’re asking how long it takes to draw plans, you’re already thinking ahead and that’s a good thing.

The smoothest projects aren’t the ones with the fewest drawings. They’re the ones where everyone understands that design, engineering, and permitting are separate steps, each with their own timeline.

Plan for that upfront, and the process becomes far less stressful and far more predictable.