The stages, in order
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Contract and deposit | You sign the purchase agreement and pay a first deposit. The agreement sets the price, the plan and the options chosen so far. |
| 2. Design appointment | You choose your finishes with our design team, and on some plans structural options. There is a deadline, set by the build schedule. |
| 3. Construction | Foundation, framing, then the rough-in of pipes and wiring. Your Cardel team keeps you updated as the home progresses. |
| 4. Pre-drywall walkthrough | A visit before drywall closes the walls, so you can see the plumbing, wiring and framing as installed. |
| 5. Orientation and closing | A final walkthrough of the finished home, then closing day. Signatures, funds and keys. |
Timing varies with the community, the home type and the stage of construction when you sign. So do the number of selection meetings and the deposit schedule. Ask us for the specifics on the home you are considering. [to confirm: typical timeline by stage, and deposit structure by product]
What you do at each stage
- Get pre-approved before you sign. Any financing incentive or first-time buyer program should already be on the table with your lender. What to ask a lender.
- Sign the purchase agreement and pay the deposit. Read the agreement in full, and ask about anything you do not recognize.
- Book your design appointment early, and come with a budget for options in mind. Ask what is included and what costs extra. [to confirm: design appointment format and selection deadlines]
- Ask about cutoff points for changing your mind on each option. Changes get harder as construction moves on.
- Keep your lender updated as the build progresses, especially on timing. Ask them how a shift in the closing date affects your rate lock.
- Arrange home insurance before closing. Your lender will need proof of coverage. Start the quote early.
- Attend the pre-drywall walkthrough and take photos of the wiring and pipes for your records.
- Attend the orientation and write down anything that needs attention before you take the keys. [to confirm: orientation format, and whether a written list and repair timeline is provided]
- Close, and get your keys.
After you move in
Moving in is not quite the last step. Three things are worth doing in your first weeks.
- Keep your orientation notes and your warranty document together. The warranty explains what is covered, for how long, and how to request service. [to confirm: how Florida homeowners submit a warranty service request]
- Learn your home's systems. Where the water shutoff is, how the air conditioning filter changes, and what maintenance the warranty expects you to do.
- Check the county's homeowner filings. Florida offers property tax exemptions for a home you live in as your primary residence, and they have deadlines. The county property appraiser's office explains what you may qualify for and when to file.
Quick move-in homes follow a shorter path
If the home you choose is already built, or nearly built, the sequence compresses. The finishes are chosen, so there is no design appointment. The pre-drywall stage has already passed. You move from contract to orientation and closing in weeks rather than months.
The trade-off is choice. You take the home as finished. For many first-time buyers, moving sooner is worth more than choosing the counters. See current quick move-in homes.
Questions first-time buyers ask
How long does the whole thing take?
It depends on the stage of construction when you sign and on the community's build schedule. Building from a plan is measured in months, and a quick move-in home in weeks. Ask your Cardel team for a current estimate on the home you are considering. [to confirm: typical range by product]
What is a pre-drywall walkthrough, and why does it matter?
It is a visit before drywall covers the walls. You see the plumbing, wiring and framing while they are still visible, rather than taking them on faith. It is one of two site visits most first-time buyers do not know they will get. The other is the orientation before closing.
Can I make changes after the design appointment?
Changes get harder and more expensive the further construction goes. Some become impossible once a stage is complete. Ask specifically what the cutoff points are for the plan and options you are considering.
What happens if my closing date moves?
Ask your lender early what happens to your rate lock if completion shifts. Longer locks and their costs are a financing question, and it is far easier to plan for than to react to.
Walk the process with us
Visit a community and ask the sales team to take you through the stages for a specific home.
Internal review notes — what must be confirmed before this page publishes
- [to confirm] Deposit structure and schedule by community and product. No Cardel deposit amount or percentage is stated on this page.
- [to confirm] Design appointment format, what is included by product, and selection deadlines.
- [to confirm] Orientation format, and whether a written list and repair timeline is provided.
- [to confirm] How Florida homeowners submit a warranty service request, and the warranty terms.
- [to confirm] Typical timeline in weeks or months by stage and by product. No duration is stated as fact.
- The former homestead step is now a one-sentence referral to the county property appraiser, with no deadline, figure or filing detail, per the Aug 31, 2026 feedback. Legal to confirm the wording.