How Long Does It Take To Build A House?
Many people want to know what they’re getting into before committing to building a house and the entire buying process, especially in terms of time and money.
There are many factors that go into setting the price to build a house and the time frame in which it may be completed.
The building timeframe will be affected by factors such as the project’s complexity — the land upon which the house is to be constructed, the location, and the complexity of the home’s floor design.
Custom homes can take longer to build than mass-produced homes. Meanwhile, semi-finished houses can be built in a matter of months. This article will walk you through the timeline to build a house, alongside exploring various delay factors.
How Long Does It Take To Build A House?
Studies suggest that, on average, it takes about seven months to complete an average house. However, several factors may affect the complete tenure of a house, of which two primary factors include:
Construction style; custom home vs. spec home.
Where custom homes take 8.9 months on average, spec homes take 6.1 months on average. This should not come as to surprise that custom homes take longer than spec homes. However, this depends entirely on the timeline, complexity of the design, etc.
Region and environment of the location.
Building a house in the northeast region takes 11.1 months, whereas houses in the Midwest take 7.7 months on average. In the southern region, houses take 6.1 months. Meanwhile, houses in the western region take 7.1 months to build.
This average time includes everything, right from the beginning of the construction and all the way to the final completion. Or, from the preconstruction stage, including permits and approvals, till finalization and completion of the structure.
Seasons may also affect the construction timeline. Building a house in winter may cause some delay due to cold and snow in the north. Whereas houses being constructed in the southern region enjoy a faster timeline, thanks to the blue skies and sunshine!
Home Type
The average time to build a house may also vary as per home type. If you’re planning to construct your own home, it may take you 12 months on average.
However, if you hire a builder or construction company, it may take you 9 months only. At the same time, houses built by investors for sale may take only 6 months to build.
Additionally, keep an eye for unplanned changes because these can cause a high variation in the expected completion tenure. When you insist upon features or elements that weren’t part of the original plan, this may result in a delayed construction process.
Permits And Authorizations
Building a house isn’t as easy as ABC; you can’t just buy a piece of land and start constructing. Depending on where you live, you’ll have to obtain permits, and authorizations, which can cause a lot of time.
Delays are pretty common at this stage, whether it’s a restriction by the government, an overworked officer, or excessive paperwork. It’s critical to factor in these delays and incorporate them into your timeline for more accuracy.
Availability Of Builders And Workers
Summers are pretty busy for builders and construction companies. To build a house, you need a licensed contractor, from laying the foundation to roofing and everything in between. Hence, the construction firm may cause delays due to a busy schedule.
Scale Of Your House
Logically, a larger house will take longer to construct than a smaller house. And an intricate design will take longer to detail than a basic design. If you intend to construct a custom home, unforeseen delays will be unavoidable.
If you’re going to select a design that the builders have already worked upon, it will be easier and quicker for the worker to build. This is because they’re better aware of the plan and any unforeseen problems.
Additionally, homes requiring specialized and intricate materials can also cause delays in case of shortages or unavailability. Weather issues may also cause shipping delays and even damage in-transit materials. And incorrect supplies can be another headache.
You
One of the biggest delays in construction is an indecisive buyer. Making changes in plans halfway, altering materials, or even making last-minute decisions can not just delay but also halt construction at times.
Sometimes, some materials may take weeks to arrive, so if you order last minute, it may cause a halt in the construction process, as workers would have to wait for the materials to arrive.
So, how can you avoid delays in the construction timeline?
Tips On Avoiding Delays In Construction
Construction delays are mostly out of hand; you certainly can’t do much if it’s snowing or raining. Moreover, certain weather conditions can even be fatal, leaving you no choice but to abandon work till calamity.
But there’s good news for you because certain factors still remain in your control, and avoiding them can help you build your house on time.
Realistic Set Of Plans
Work together with your builder or construction company to develop a realistic set of plans, along with a blueprint of your house.
That way, once you’ve involved a professional architect, you wouldn’t have to face unplanned changes along the way. You’ll have a layout of whether your plan is workable or not.
However, this is only possible if you hire an experienced and reputable builder and construction company familiar with their work. So, have a word with several builders and construction companies before finalizing one.
Sticking To The Budget
You can stay on track with your timeline by sticking to your budget. But what if that premium carpet you estimated to be worth $2,500 turns out to be $20,000? Even then, you stick to the budget, drop it, and go for an alternative.
Don’t act dumb and add up debt because a small debt can go a long way. Additionally, subtle changes in orders can cause delays; from canceling to replacing it with a new one can be such a headache. And if that’s construction grade, it may take weeks to deliver and install.
If you’re not into so much detailing, go for a standard floor plan with as basic features as possible. That way, it’s easier for you builder and construction company, and they won’t have to tackle the learning gaps, causing delays.
Sticking To The Timeline
Lastly, sticking to the timeline is all about project management. So, unless you want to construct your own home on time, hire a project manager, or be one. Regularly meet with your builder and construction company, and review progress, budget, blueprints, and tasks.
Reconfirm monthly plans before time so you can ensure the availability of material and labor. In case material or labor isn’t available, substitute that day’s task for another, but don’t waste time. Discuss the timeline as much as possible.
Just ensure that the chain of command stays intact. If you’re having trouble with the workforce, speak to the general contractor, and let them handle it. A team can work more efficiently with only one leader. Multiple instructors just lead to confusion and chaos, and above all, DELAYS!
Wrapping It Up!
So, if you’re looking for a premium plot, or building your first home, make sure you work with reputable real estate agents for a seamless and trouble-free process.
While delays during the construction process may be inevitable, when you’ve prepared yourself and managed your expectations, the construction process may turn out to be stress-free to an extent.
