How Early Should You Contact Your Designer Before Construction?

Jordan Heckman
Sep 12
2 min read

One of the most common questions we hear is: “When should we reach out to you if we’re planning construction?”

The instinct for many homeowners is to wait until they’re “ready to build” before making that first call. It feels logical — why start design conversations before a shovel is in the ground? The reality is, by the time you’re ready to build, you’re already months (sometimes years) behind.

Why Timing Matters

Design and permitting aren’t just about drawing plans. They involve:

Zoning reviews to make sure your project is even possible.
Engineering, septic, and grading plans to ensure your home can be built as intended.
Municipal approvals that often require multiple submissions.
Decision-making and selections that need time and thought, especially if more than one decision-maker is involved.

Each of these steps introduces potential delays, and stacked together, they create timelines most homeowners don’t anticipate.

Typical Lead Times

Based on our experience at Jordan Station Design Co, here’s how far in advance you should be starting the process:

Renovation or Addition → 6–8 months before construction
Custom Home → 12 months before construction
Projects within the NEC (Niagara Escarpment) → 18–24 months before construction
Using an Interior Designer → Add another 6 months

Why So Long?

If those numbers feel excessive, you’re not alone. Many people are surprised when we share them. The truth is, it’s rarely the design that eats up all the time. It’s everything else: permits, conservation authority reviews, consultant coordination, and the time it takes to make confident decisions.

Think of it this way: the more moving parts, the more time required to do it right.

The Better Question to Ask

Instead of asking:“How soon can we start?”

Ask:👉 “When do we want to be moving in?”

That answer drives everything. Once you know your target move-in date, we can work backwards to make sure the design, approvals, and construction schedule align.