Our Home Building ProcessA clear, guided path from the first meeting to move-in day.

Know What to Expect at Every Stage

Our Step-By-Step Guide to Building a House in Tennessee

At Michael’s Homes, we want to make the home-building process as easy as possible for you. Building a new construction home in Middle Tennessee offers unique benefits. We’ve created a step-by-step process tailored for anyone interested in building a home in Tennessee, ensuring a hassle-free experience every step of the way.

From the first Discovery meeting to receiving the keys to your newly constructed semi-custom home, our team is here for everything you need to Dream. Build. Live. Enjoy. Explore each stage of our process below, and contact us with any additional questions you may have.

Schedule a Discovery Meeting

Every Home Starts With the Right Plan

Step 1: Discovery Meeting

This is a no-pressure introductory meeting to discuss your needs/wants and building timelines.

Step 2: Plan & Proposal

Our team will prepare a detailed proposal based on your selected home plan and desired features.

Step 3: Contract Signing

A pre-approval letter and earnest money deposit (typically 3–5%) are required to secure your contract. Michael’s Homes handles the construction financing.

Step 4: Planning & Pre-Construction

Over the next 30–45 days, you’ll work with our architectural designer to review and finalize any plan customizations. While plans are being completed, our team will coordinate site preparation, permitting, utility planning, and a builder walk-through to prepare for construction.

Step 5: Construction

Once construction begins, you’ll meet with our selections team to personalize your home with finishes and design choices. You’ll also participate in key builder walks throughout the construction process.

Step 6: Dream. Build. Live. Enjoy.

The journey is complete. Now it’s time to make memories and enjoy your new Michael’s Home.

What Middle Tennessee Homeowners Are Saying

Frequently Asked Semi-Custom Home Building Questions

How long does it actually take to build a custom home in Middle Tennessee?

Timelines depend on the complexity of your floor plan, permitting requirements in your area, material and subcontractor availability, and how quickly design decisions are finalized. Because every project is different, the most accurate timeline comes from a conversation with our team once we understand your lot, plan, and goals.

What happens if I want to make changes after construction has started?

Flexibility depends on the construction phase. Changes to finishes and selections are usually easier early on, while structural changes become more limited once permitting is finalized or framing begins. If you’re considering a change mid-build, bring it to your project team right away so they can walk you through what’s feasible and what it means for your timeline or budget.

Why do some custom home projects go over budget, and how can I avoid it?

Budget overruns usually come from a few common sources: mid-project changes, delayed decisions on finishes and selections, unexpected site conditions, or unclear pricing early in the process. The best way to protect your budget is to finalize key decisions before construction begins and work with a builder who provides clear, itemized pricing from the start.

A team that manages design, permitting, and construction together can also help you catch potential cost issues before they become expensive problems.

What warranties are accompanied by a Michael's Homes semi-custom home build?

At Michael’s Homes, we believe in standing behind our work with unwavering confidence. Each home we build comes with a comprehensive one-year builder warranty, so that any unforeseen issues are promptly addressed with our team of experts.

But we don’t stop there. For added assurance, we have partnered with Quality Builders Warranty, a trusted name backed by Liberty Mutual, to provide a ten-year structural warranty.

Visit our warranty page to learn more about our offerings.

What type of floor plans can I choose from?

We offer beautiful, expert-designed floor plans, which can be viewed on our Floor Plans page. These plans can be built as-is or customized to better suit your unique needs. If you have a custom plan in mind, our in-house architectural designer is at your service, ready to collaborate with you to bring your vision to life.

Request Your Consultation Meeting

At Michael’s Homes, we’re passionate about our customers and building exceptional homes. If you can dream it, we can build it! Get in touch with us today to start the semi-custom home-building process.