September 15, 2026
Your
Home Building Questions, Answered
Building
a home comes with a lot of questions, and that’s completely normal!
From
preparing your land and choosing selections to financing, permits, and
construction timelines, there are plenty of moving pieces along the way. With
more than 65 years of homebuilding experience, the Manuel Builders team is here
to help you understand the process and guide you through each step.
To
help you get started, we’re answering some of the questions we hear most often
from future homeowners.
Do
I need to handle my own dirt work, driveway, utilities, and other site needs?
No! We
can quote many of your property and site needs, such as dirt work, driveway
preparation, and utilities, and include them in your total contract price. This
can help simplify the process by keeping more of your home and site preparation
needs in one place.
How
does pricing work once we start the process?
Your
Purchase Estimate is a hard bid, meaning once it’s signed, you won’t be
affected by changes in market or vendor pricing. Your total price would only
change if you choose to modify your home or add additional selections, or if
you exceed the 150-day pre-production period and your Purchase Estimate
expires. If the 150-day timeframe is exceeded, your home will be subject to
current pricing.
How
long does it take to build a Manuel Builders home?
From
start to finish, the homebuilding process takes approximately 10 to 12
months on average.
The
first phase, pre-production, typically takes about four months. During this
time, we’ll work through important steps such as planning, design and
selections, your site evaluation, permitting, dirt work, and financing.
Once
your foundation slab is poured, construction generally takes about six months.
Every
home and property is unique. Construction timelines can vary based on factors
such as the size and complexity of your home, property conditions, permitting,
weather, and other circumstances.
Which
permits am I responsible for obtaining?
While
our team helps coordinate many aspects of the building process, homeowners are
responsible for obtaining their sewer permit.
The
timing of this permit can vary depending on the requirements of the parish
where you are building. In some areas, it may need to be completed before the
building permit, while others may follow a different process. Our team can help
you understand when this step needs to happen as you move through
pre-production.
Do
I have to wait until my site evaluation is complete before scheduling my
selections meeting?
No!
Your site evaluation and selections meeting do not have to happen in a specific
order.
In
fact, several parts of the pre-production process can happen simultaneously.
This allows you and our team to continue making progress on your home without
waiting for one step to be completed before beginning another.
How
long do I have to complete my pre-production activities?
You
have 150 days from the date you sign your contract to complete the
required pre-production activities.
Staying
on top of appointments, financing, permits, and other homeowner
responsibilities can help keep your home moving toward construction.
What
needs to be completed before construction can begin?
Before
your home can move into construction, there are several important
pre-production items that need to be completed. These generally include:
Your
Manuel Builders team will help guide you through the process so you know what
needs to happen, what’s coming next, and what items require action from you.
Have
More Home Building Questions?
Every
homebuilding journey is a little different, and you don’t have to have
everything figured out before getting started. Whether you already own land,
are still searching for property, have a floor plan in mind, or are simply
trying to determine your budget, our team can help you understand your options
and plan your next steps.
Schedule
a consultation with a Manuel Builders Building Consultant to start planning
your home today!
