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Building a brand-new house offers numerous benefits, but it requires a significant amount of time. Do you have the patience for it? Vladimir Vladimirov/Getty ImagesAnyone who's searched for a home knows that purchasing property often involves settling for less. You might find that charming cottage in a fantastic school district, but the kitchen falls short. Or perhaps the price of that ranch house is just right, but the layout doesn't quite fit your needs.
If you've been searching for a while and still can't find the right fit, building a new home could be your answer. But just how much time does it take to construct a house from scratch?
Building a house from scratch means dealing with a variety of factors. One of the perks of new construction is the ability to tailor your home to your liking. However, those customizations could add extra time to the process, particularly if your contractor needs to order special materials.
This shouldn’t stop you from including everything on your wish list. Just be aware that some of those choices might make the project take a little longer to complete.
Other major factors affecting construction timelines include the size of the crew on-site each day, the condition of the lot, necessary permits and inspections, and the weather [source: Pacific Crest Inspections]. A large team with favorable weather can speed up the process, but demolishing an old home or needing to grade the land first will likely delay things.
According to 2020 data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Construction, it typically takes around 6.8 months to complete a new home. However, if the homeowner takes on the role of contractor, this timeline can extend to 12 months. The time also varies based on the region within the U.S.
When embarking on a construction project, it's important to know what to expect. This often involves hiring a contractor you trust and who keeps you informed every step of the way. Understanding the steps and typical durations can help you ask the right questions and ensure your contractor is providing truthful time estimates.
What Is the Average Construction Timeline?
Framing a new house can take anywhere from several days to a few months, depending on factors like the project's size and the location of the construction site. ArtistGNDphotography/Getty ImagesEach construction project is unique, but certain steps in the process are pretty standard. Your contractor should provide you with a custom timeline for the home you're building before they begin work. If they don’t, make sure to ask for one.
Here’s an example of what a general construction timeline might look like [source: Home Building Smart]:
- Pre-construction phase. Before starting, you (or your contractor) will likely need to obtain permits, finalize the architectural plans, and secure financing. This phase can take anywhere from one to two months — or even longer.
- Preparing the land and laying the foundation. This step involves clearing debris, removing trees, leveling the lot, and pouring the foundation. Typically, this takes about one month.
- Framing the house and constructing the roof. Framing typically lasts about a month, although bad weather can cause delays. Once the roof is on — which usually takes a couple of weeks — weather disruptions become less of a factor [source: Bunzel].
- Siding, wiring, and plumbing. Workers complete the exterior of the house and begin installing plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, which generally takes about one to two months.
- Interior finishing. This is when the interior starts resembling a home, with drywall installation and most carpentry work done. Expect this phase to take about two months.
- Finishing touches. During the final two months, contractors will install flooring, paint, and complete the plumbing and electrical work.
- Punch list. This is a key stage where you do a final walkthrough, and you and your contractor make a to-do list of any remaining tasks. This includes minor fixes like a paint touch-up or caulking. It's important to approach this step critically to ensure any issues are addressed before you move in.
- Inspections. At various stages, and depending on your local regulations, inspections may be required. For example, before drywall installation, your plumbing and electrical may need to be inspected. Additionally, a final occupancy inspection may be necessary to confirm that your home meets legal codes and is ready for occupancy.
Some steps may overlap, and inevitable delays often make the construction process take longer than expected. Delays could stem from things like late material deliveries or the bureaucratic process of inspections and permits. Even when delays are anticipated, it may feel like things are still moving slowly. So, what can you do about it?
If you need to move in quickly and want to avoid the delays and headaches associated with traditional building, a prefab home might be the right choice. Prefabricated homes can be assembled in a matter of weeks, rather than months, and their design has greatly improved since the early 20th century.
What’s Causing the Delay?
Inclement weather is a common cause for construction delays during home building. Dan Reynolds Photography/Getty ImagesDelays are almost inevitable during a home construction project. After all, nothing is flawless. What are the most common issues? Weather tends to be the primary cause of delays, particularly at the start of the project, before the roof is fully in place. For instance, roof tiles require several hours to dry, so if rain is expected, installation should be postponed. Once the roof and walls are completed, weather disruptions are less of a concern.
The materials you choose and the number of workers on-site can influence your construction timeline. A tile roof takes more time to install compared to an asphalt one, and if you have four workers, the project will progress faster than with just two.
The condition of the lot is also a crucial factor. While demolishing an existing structure adds time, the state of the land itself is more important. If the contractor uncovers poor soil when breaking ground, they will need to either dig and fill or use a special foundation to address expansive soil [source: Pacific Crest Inspections].
Permitting can also cause delays that are out of your contractor's control. If the contractor makes an error and the city inspector catches it, that’s on them. However, there are times when the city’s permit process gets backed up, requiring your contractor to wait for inspections before proceeding with the work.
How can you determine if your contractor's time estimate is reasonable? In 2012, we spoke with Rick Bunzel, the principal inspector at Pacific Crest Inspections in Anacortes, Washington. He emphasized that the key lies in maintaining a good relationship with your general contractor, as the contractor is familiar with the tasks of all subcontractors. Homebuilding is a series of interconnected tasks, and the general contractor must coordinate the team and the timelines for each stage. For example, a delay in plumbing or electrical work can cause a hold-up in hanging drywall.
Bunzel suggests applying the 'reasonable person approach.' If something seems to be taking too long, don't hesitate to ask your contractor for clarification. There might be a valid reason, but you won’t know unless you inquire. Staying engaged, visiting the job site, observing progress, and asking questions ensures that your contractor is actively monitoring the subcontractors' work.
Think of your relationship with the general contractor like a marriage. You may not always see eye to eye, but it's important to stick with it.
