Building a custom home is a dream shared by many homeowners. Being able to design a home to your liking is an exciting but time-consuming task.
How long will it take to build a house? The construction of a custom-built house can take from 1 to 3 years at the shortest. What makes it so difficult to estimate the average time to complete? The average time it takes to build a house varies greatly depending on the scope of the project, weather delays, availability of materials and labor, etc. . This schedule may be extended if obtaining permits and completing inspections is difficult to schedule.
average time to build a house
The schedule for building a house depends on the type of house you build. Custom builds require more build time because they are designed and built to your exact specifications. Non-custom builds, on the other hand, use pre-designed plans and standard layouts, and are generally faster.according to Census Bureau 2019 Construction Survey (SOC)On average, it takes about eight months to build a single-family home.
How long it takes to build each type of house
The time it takes to build a house depends on several factors, including the type of house, its size, the complexity of the design, the availability of labor and materials, and the efficiency of the construction process.
- Prefabricated house or modular house: Workers build these homes offsite at the factory and then transport the homes to the construction site for assembly. Prefabricated and modular homes are usually built in less time than traditional construction methods. Depending on the complexity and size of your home, on-site assembly can take days or weeks.
- Custom homes or traditional bar houses: The construction team builds this style house on site using traditional construction methods, assembling the structure piece by piece. Building a custom or wooden house generally takes longer than a prefabricated house. Depending on the size and complexity of the home, weather conditions, and the availability of labor and materials, the construction process can take anywhere from several months to a year.
- Production or district housing: Large builders often build these homes in planned communities or subdivisions using standardized designs and materials. Tract house production is generally efficient and the building process is completed relatively quickly. Depending on the size and function of the house, the construction period will take from several months to half a year.
Are custom builds slow? Why is this?
Custom homes often take longer than buying pre-designed homes in pre-planned communities because they require additional planning and customization. A project’s scope and unique features, fixtures and finishes will affect how long it takes to complete. Because custom homes are built to the client’s specifications, it may take longer to finalize plans and design elements. Delays during the build process are common due to design changes or unforeseen issues.
Non-custom build can be faster than custom
If you are trying to build a home that falls within the standard range of production homes, you can expect the construction process to go much faster. These types of homes are often pre-planned, limiting customization. Most homes are still customizable (tiles, flooring, paint color), but working within a given range makes planning easier.
Things to know before building a house
There are several factors to consider before embarking on construction work. The first thing to decide is what type of house you want to build. Is it a custom home or a production home? You should also incorporate your family’s unique needs into the home’s design and layout.
Another important detail is the type of site on which the house is built. Site topography and size can have a direct impact on construction time, cost, and even home design and layout. Securing funding and finding the right general contractor for the job should also be a serious consideration. Selecting the right contractor is critical to achieving the desired results on time and within budget, so do your due diligence.
Key issues that can affect your timeline
There are many issues that affect the construction schedule of custom homes, but weather is one of the most impactful on construction time. Various permits and approvals, such as inspections and building permits, can also affect how long it takes to build a home. One way to ensure a smooth schedule is to carefully plan and schedule each stage of the home building process.
Save time during the building process
To save time while building your new home, you first need to have a clear understanding of the upcoming construction schedule itself. Make sure we can plan for your desired schedule, including additional time required for permits, inspections and other issues.
It is also important to get all the necessary materials for the house in advance so that the construction period can continue without interruptions or delays.
Permits and Authorizations: What You Need to Know
To build your dream new home, you need to obtain permits from city authorities such as the building and zoning departments. These permits and approvals ensure that building construction complies with standard building codes and help limit the possibility of home construction defects and related problems.
New home style and size
The style and size of your new home can have a big impact on your new home construction schedule. Larger homes often take longer to build than smaller homes because more work is required and more building materials must be available.
A typical home construction timeline
The actual construction schedule for building a typical home depends on the location and complexity of the building plan. The rough construction schedule for building a typical house is as follows.
Week 1: Preparation and Planning
To begin a custom build, you must prepare the site, obtain permits, set up equipment, establish a construction schedule, and plan a rigorous build process.
Weeks 2-5: Frame and House Foundations
When a contractor is ready to embark on a homebuilding project, their team needs to complete the foundation and framing work, including the ground floor plan and the framing of the walls and roof of the house. After framing, a structural inspection ensures that all work is in compliance with regulations.
Weeks 6-7: Mechanical Elements
Get back to basics and start installing plumbing, electrical systems, ducts, and heating and cooling systems.
Weeks 7-8: Drywall and other insulation
After about seven to eight weeks, insulation is usually installed to regulate the temperature inside the house, and drywall is installed to close the interior walls.
Weeks 9-11: Painting and Flooring
Get ready for some fun work! Paint the interior and install flooring such as tile, hardwood, or carpet.
Weeks 12-13: Exterior Elements and Finishes
After most of the interior work is done, it’s time to go outside and install exterior and garage doors, building walkways, roofs, and gutters.
Week 14: Interior finishing
Once the foundation of the house is complete, finishing touches like installing cabinets, appliances and lighting fixtures are done.
Week 15: Finishing up driveways and sidewalks
After about four months, the construction team should complete exterior elements such as driveways, walkways, and landscaping.
Week 16: Final touches and cleanup
As the project begins to be completed, the construction site should be cleaned up, checked for any remaining problems on the construction site, and ensured that everything is according to the code.
Week 17: Landscaping and Gardening
In week 17, the homebuilders will begin putting the final touches on the exterior of the new home, including planting trees and shrubs.
Week 18: Completed Home Inspection
If all goes well, complete a final inspection by the city inspector to make sure everything in the house is in compliance with regulations. This is an important step for your safety.
Week 19: Final home walkthrough of the property
The final home walkthrough is a really exciting time with any custom build. Homeowners and builders conduct final walkthroughs to ensure everything is working.
Week 20: New home construction completed
In conclusion, at about 20 weeks, the homeowner will sign the paperwork to complete the home purchase and officially own the property.
The final factor to consider when building a new home
Unfortunately, once the house is built, it doesn’t cost you anything. Building a custom home also requires planning for mortgage and escrow costs.
Expenses, Mortgages, Escrow
When building a new custom home, there are a few final factors to consider to ensure you are well prepared for all that the process entails. One of the most important things to keep in mind is the cost of your mortgage. You may know how much you can afford to spend each month, but to get a clear picture of your budget and avoid surprises, it’s a good idea to talk to your mortgage broker or lender before you start building your home. Essential. Our mortgage calculator makes it easy to determine what your monthly repayments will look like.
Additionally, it’s important to consider the cost of escrow, the money you need to set aside for property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other expenses. Create a separate account for these expenses and donate a fixed amount each month to be prepared for unexpected expenses.
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Note by BiggerPockets: These are opinions written by the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.