How Long Does It Take To Build A House

Home Building Timeline

Whenever you are considering the idea of building a new home from the ground up, be sure to meticulously plan out a budget and timeline. You now know it takes an average of seven months to complete the construction. Of course, the construction process could be quicker, but factors like inclement weather can cause the project to take longer than expected. After giving the architect at least a few months for the design, be sure to carve out another month in your timeline to wait for project authorization. From purchase to completion, you are looking at a year-long building process. 

Factors Affecting New Home Construction

Ideally, every step of the process goes smoothly, from the design to the build. Unfortunately, though, that is not always the case. Here are a few of the factors that can cause the timeline to extend:

Authorization

The amount of time it takes to acquire authorization/permits from the local planning and building department will vary, of course. The U.S. Census Bureau has previously reported that this process takes an average of one month. Issues such as property line disputes and/or zoning problems can arise, though. Your best bet for a smooth process is to build the home in a new housing development, which will simply need a final approval from the town or city for the build. 

Location

The place where you are building a new home really matters. Some soil types may be tougher to break through and build on. Other details like hills and rocks can also slow down this process. Luckily, your experienced home builder should have a good idea of how to build in the area already. 

Weather

Weather is one of the biggest factors that can cause delays in the build. Both temperature and precipitation can impact your timeline. Once the house is under roof, though, weather will no longer be a factor.

Builder Experience

Inexperienced builders will generally take longer to complete any project compared to builders with years of experience. Experienced builders tend to have new home builds perfected down to a science. Size of the building crew can also either speed up or slow down the build. Be sure to call around and meet with multiple contractors before hiring one for the job. 

Type Of Construction

Not surprisingly, the more standard the floorplan you choose, the quicker the construction will be. While getting creative with your design is not a disadvantage, just know the build may take longer than expected. 

Advantages Of Building A House

Being able to customize every feature in your home’s interior and exterior is the number one reason why many choose to build a home from scratch. Getting exactly what you want is something easier obtained when building rather than buying. In the buying process, you could end up shopping for months without finding a home that meets your every need.

Better energy efficiency is another benefit of building a home. You can build the home that meets new energy codes and standards for ventilation, heating and cooling. Building an energy-efficient home will certainly save you money in the long run.