How Long Does It Take To Build A House?

Searching for your first or next home can be an exciting journey.

Sometimes building a new house can be the perfect solution. Picking each element, from the number of bedrooms to the countertops in the kitchen, means crafting your new home exactly how you want it. It takes time and money of course, but you can achieve the house of your dreams.

Building a house can be a significant time commitment, as there are many phases in the process. A number of different factors can play a part in the projected timeline. But with careful planning, you can successfully build your own home in a relatively short period of time.

What’s The Average Time To Build A House?

The average time to build a new home is approximately 7 – 8 months, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This includes planning, permitting, actual construction and the final walk-through.

Home building timelines don’t just depend on the materials and the method. They are also affected by who is doing the work. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, here is the average home building time frame by builder type:

• Built-for-sale: 6.5 months
• Contractor-built: 10.7 months
• Owner-built: 14.3 months

Built-For-Sale Homes

These are homes that are built regardless of whether there are buyers already lined up. They often have a few different floor plans without a lot of customization, hence the shorter time frame of 6 1/2 months.

Contractor-Built Homes

Contractor-built homes are constructed with a specific buyer in mind. They are often more customized, since there is a specific person or family that will live there. This means they take a little longer, approximately 10.7 months.

Owner-Built Homes

With these homes, the build is by the owner. They are often built without a general contractor, which means they can take longer to complete, averaging around 14.3 months.

Building A House From The Ground Up

No matter which way you choose to build your new home, there are specific steps you will have to take. Below are all of the steps involved in building a new house.

Site Selection And Buying Land

The time frame for site selection depends on how particular you are about the location and how much vacant land inventory is available in your local real estate market. Work with a real estate agent experienced with vacant lots to increase your likelihood of a successful and timely land purchase.

Prepare The Site

Once you have the perfect location selected and purchased, it is time to prepare the build site. This will include getting rid of debris, trees, bushes, rocks and other natural impediments on the land where the home will be built.

Construction

The construction process can encompass many steps. Each one can potentially impact the speed of completing your house. The course of building your home will include these key elements:

• Foundation: Options include a slab, crawl space or basement. This is the bedrock of your future home.
• Framing: Involves erecting the exterior walls, ceilings and roof trusses. Once that is complete, a skeleton frame of the home comes into shape.
• Plumbing: Pipes are installed for the bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room and any other rooms that will need running water.
• Electrical: Wiring is run from the electrical panel through the walls and ceilings to lights, power outlets, garbage disposals, garage door openers and everything else in the home that needs power.
• Heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC): The furnace and air conditioner are wired to the electrical panel, and venting systems are installed to push cool and hot air through the home.
• Insulation: This can be in the form of foam board, cellulose, spray foam, concrete or fiberglass.
• Drywall: Walls are framed with wood and filled in with drywall. Instead of a huge skeleton shell, now you can see each specific room in the home.
• Flooring and countertops: Flooring options include hardwood, laminate, carpet and tile. Countertop options include Formica, marble, quartz and wood. Some materials will take longer to install than others, so think about how your selections might affect your timeline.

What Can Slow The Home Building Timeline?

During all these stages we’ve discussed, there are issues that can arise. Sometimes this means serious delays. To make sure you are prepared, let’s look at some common issues that can slow the home building process.

• The buyer: If you take too long to make decisions and want to see every detail before the next step is completed, things are going to slow down. Trust your team and only intervene when needed.
• Construction details: The simpler your construction details, the faster things will move along. Complex plans might take longer to complete.
• Weather/location/environment: If Mother Nature wants to delay your timeline, there’s not a lot you can do. Thunderstorms during your home framing, for example, are going to slow things down. Build in some extra time for weather related delays.
• Paperwork: Zoning, permits, encumbrances and other paperwork can sometimes slow things down. Make sure your architect and builder understand how long these things take in your specific area.
• Construction crew issues: Labor shortages happen all the time. The availability and experience of contractors and subcontractors can greatly affect your building timeline.

How To Avoid Delays During The Home Building Process

While you can’t stop every delay, there are some strategies that can help increase the chances of things getting done on time. Below are some steps you can take to improve the odds that your home will be completed on schedule.

• Know the costs of building a new home. Running out of money can delay or even stop your home build process.
• Perform due diligence on potential contractors. Taking a little time upfront to select the right people means saving time later on.
• Create a schedule. You might not be able to stick to it exactly, but it will be a great frame of reference and goal to shoot for.
• Use a contract to clearly outline expectations. Put everything on the table upfront and make sure everyone agrees.

Don’t Let Financing Slow Down Your Build

Make sure you have your financing options well-considered as you prepare to build a house. Explore the various types of loans and arrive at a plan that meets your needs and budget. There are loan options specifically for building your own home.

Construction Loans

This loan usually requires a certain percentage of the money down before construction begins. You repay the remaining balance when the build is complete. It is possible to convert the remaining balance into a mortgage, which can also help save on closing costs.

Land Loans

A land loan is much like a traditional mortgage loan for an existing home. But because there’s no physical building yet, the house can’t be used as collateral. Thus, you must put money down to get such a loan, and the loan is only for the land.

How Long Does It Take To Build A House FAQs

There are many variables that can impact the time frame of getting a house built. Here are some of the most common questions relating to the time it takes to build a house.

Will I have to wait for materials to be available?

Lack of materials can potentially cause a delay, as such items as lumber, roofing and siding can all be in high demand.

Will it be quicker if I build or buy my new house?

While buying is generally faster than building, shortages in the housing market can lead to competitive buying and potentially long purchase times.

Can I hold my contractor accountable for delays?

You can include a penalty in the contract against the builder if they miss a deadline.

How else can I save time on my build?

You can save time by having a solid plan in place, using experienced builders, simplifying the design and planning your build during periods of traditionally stable weather.

How long will it take me to save for my house?

Talk to your lender to understand how much money is required. Assess your finances and calculate a budget that allows you to most effectively save for a house.

The Bottom Line: Building A Home Could Be Worth The Time

The time it takes to build a house varies by each specific home. Having a clear understanding of the challenges, as well as all the steps required, will provide an excellent starting knowledge base. You can’t control everything that happens on the job site, but you can set yourself up for success with the right strategies.

No matter what happens on the job site, you can take care of the financing side before the construction crews get to work. Get your loan started today to make the home building process faster!