Computer implemented techniques are disclosed for fixing signal hold-time violations in semiconductor chips. Analysis includes estimation of hold-time requirements using ideal clocks. Allocation of placement regions within the design and near the macro circuits allows for later placement and wiring use during layout hold-time fixing. The placement region sizes are based on estimates of the needed buffers. Nets, within the design for detail routing, are ordered such that nets with hold-time violations are wired later, thus fixing hold-time violations without scaling or adding further buffers. Hold times are re-evaluated once wiring of track routes is complete.