The house construction timeline depends on the phases of your project. There are multiple steps that are complex and require a significant amount of time to complete. Various people think that construction is just a simple and straightforward process. But, it includes multiple steps. Every phase requires its own timeline, and delays are also expected in case of any hurdle. One of the most common questions is: “How long does it take to build a house?”
The short answer is 6 to 12 months! But it also depends on the size and complexity of the design. So, this time duration can also increase or decrease. Nowadays, contractors and building owners plan everything before time to prevent delays. They get professional construction cost estimating services because it provides a detailed breakdown of every step with the cost. This helps in executing the steps accurately without any issues.
Average Time to Build a House
On average, building a single-family home takes:
- Production homes: 6–9 months
- Custom homes: 9–15 months
- Luxury or complex homes: 12–24 months
SMA Estimating LLC is one of the best construction takeoff provider which assist contractors and building owners with the right amount of materials. The exact amount is important to prevent over-budgeting and delays in construction.
Phases Discussion
Phase 1: Pre-Construction
Keep in mind that this phase is very important for planning. It takes almost 2 to 3 months. Do not neglect this step because it decides the overall timeline. In this phase, the following things happen:
- Selecting or purchasing land
- Choosing house plans or working with an architect
- Finalizing the home design and layout
- Budget planning and financing approval
- Hiring a builder or contractor
- Soil testing and land survey
Make sure to properly plan everything because it will help you prevent delays. Understanding the home construction timeline by phase before the work starts is better.
Phase 2: Permits & Approvals
The next thing after finalising the plans is to get approvals from the local authorities. It takes one to 2 months. Basically, you have to do the following tasks in this phase:
- Building permit applications
- Structural, electrical, and plumbing plan reviews
- Environmental or zoning approvals
- HOA approvals (if applicable)
Phase 3: Site Preparation & Foundation
In this phase, the physical construction work starts. It takes 3 to 6 weeks because of:
- Clearing and grading the land
- Excavation
- Pouring footings
- Constructing the foundation
- Waterproofing
Phase 4: Framing Structure
The next phase is to provide a frame to the house to give it a shape. This forms the structure of the house. Usually, it takes 4 to 8 weeks to complete.
By relying on a qualified estimating company, you can spend your money on the required materials and other things. Otherwise, a small estimation error can derail the whole project.
This phase includes the following work:
- Floor, wall, and roof framing
- Installation of sheathing
- Window and door openings
- Roof trusses
Phase 5: Exterior Work
When you are done with the framing work. The next thing is to start the exterior part of the building. It includes:
- Roofing installation
- Windows and exterior doors
- Siding, brick, or stucco
- Exterior insulation
- Weatherproofing
Phase 6: Rough-In Systems
Some phases can overlap with each other. However, systems that are important for the building are installed. They have to be hidden behind the wall. It takes one to 2 months to complete. The systems are also inspected. This includes:
- Electrical wiring
- Plumbing pipes
- HVAC ductwork
Phase 7: Insulation & Drywall
When all the inspections are approved. You need to start your interior work. This takes 3 to 6 weeks to complete:
- Installing insulation
- Hanging drywall
- Taping, mudding, and sanding
- Preparing walls for paint
Phase 8: Interior Finishes
Interior finishes are one of the longest phases because it requires multiple small detailed work like:
- Interior painting
- Flooring installation
- Cabinetry and countertops
- Interior doors and trim
- Staircases
- Bathroom fixtures
- Kitchen appliances
- Lighting and switches
Phase 9: Final Installations
After you are done with the finishes, you are at the final completion. All the systems are connected and also tested. Various systems are installed, such as:
- Electrical and plumbing fixture installation
- HVAC final setup
- Final building inspections
- Code compliance checks
- Energy efficiency tests
Phase 10: Final Walkthrough
This is the final phase, which takes one to 2 weeks before moving into the house
- Punch list creation
- Final cleaning
- Builder walkthrough with homeowner
- Occupancy certificate issuance
- Handover of keys and documents
Which factors affect the timeline
There are multiple factors that can speed up or slow down the home construction. That is why it is always recommended to get expert help to plan your timelines. With experienced residential construction estimation, you can follow the right path and complete your projects on time.
However, these are the various factors that can affect the overall timeline:
- Weather conditions
- Labor shortages
- Material availability
- Design complexity
- Custom vs production home
- Change orders during construction
- Local inspection delays
Final Thoughts
So, the home construction timeline is directly affected by your requirements and finishes. Every project is different from the other. But, it is important to fully plan everything before starting the construction process. The best thing is to hire experts for that. Otherwise, even small mistakes in the estimation can cause bigger problems during the construction phases. As a result, the owners have to face long delays. Understanding every phase can help you set the right expectations and manage the budget!
