--- title: Frequently Asked Questions url: "https://menardbuilding.com/faqs" date_modified: "2026-06-04T15:48:07-04:00" --- # Frequently Asked Questions ## Common questions from homeowners on Nantucket and Cape Cod. The questions below come up in nearly every first conversation we have. The answers reflect how we work, not industry generalities. If you have a question not covered here, send it through the contact form below. ### How long does it take to build a custom home on Nantucket? Plan on eighteen to twenty-four months from the first conversation to move-in for a ground-up custom home. The breakdown is roughly three to nine months for design and specifications, three to six months for HDC and permitting (often partially in parallel), and nine to fifteen months for construction. Island logistics, weather, and trade availability extend timelines that would be shorter on the mainland. ### What is the difference between an architect and a designer, and which do I need? An architect is licensed and can carry a project to a fully specified, permit-ready set. A designer or draftsperson produces drawings but typically stops short of full specifications. Either path can work, but on a custom build, the scope and selections need to be developed before a builder can price the project accurately. The question is who develops them and when. ### What is the Historic District Commission, and will my project need approval? The Historic District Commission (HDC) reviews exterior architectural features inside Nantucket's Historic District, which covers most of the island. New construction, additions, exterior alterations, and many renovations require a Certificate of Appropriateness before a building permit can issue. The HDC meets weekly. Most projects need at least one round of revisions, and the review process typically runs around two months. ### What makes building on Nantucket different from building on the mainland? Ferry logistics, sub-housing limitations, weather windows, the Historic District, conservation review, and the Nantucket landfill all add cost, time, or both. Material has to arrive by boat. Many subcontractors do not live on-island and require employer-coordinated housing. The schedule reflects all of that. ### Do you work on Cape Cod? Yes. We work across Barnstable County, from the Upper Cape through the Outer Cape, on custom homes, renovations, and developments. Cape Cod has its own conservation and permitting rhythm. We know it. ### Can I get Estate Care if you did not build my home? Estate Care is offered to a select group of clients. Most of the homes we care for were built or renovated by us, and that continuity is part of why the model works. We do take on Estate Care for homes we did not build, on a case-by-case basis, when the property is the right fit and our team has the capacity. ### Who is your typical client? Owners of second or forever homes on Nantucket and Cape Cod who value direct involvement from the builder, established relationships with architects and designers, and accountability through a long project. We work most often with clients who have built before, who know what they are looking for in a builder, and who are not shopping on price. ## Ready to get started? Get in touch today. Have a question or want to work together? Send us a message and we'll get back to you within 24 hours. **EMAIL** **PHONE** [508-364-1589](tel:+15083641589)