How Long Does it Take to Build a New Home?

With limited home inventory on the market today, some homebuyers are deciding it may be best to build their new home. Perhaps you are one of them, but you’re wondering how long will it take to build. The answer is not the same for every buyer and varies depending on a few factors.

According to a recent Survey of Construction by the U.S. Census Bureau (the most recent for which data is available), the average completion time of a single-family home is around seven months.

There are elements that factor into every homebuilding project, including: the land on which the home is being built, the area where the home is being built, and the intricacy of the home’s floor plan. All of these factors will affect the building timeline.

Here are a few key points that may affect the time it takes to build your home:

• Custom-built homes average 10 to 16 months, while personalized production plans average four to six months. Because the floor plans used by production builders have been built many times before, there are generally fewer delays. In general, custom homes may take longer to build than production homes. Manufactured homes can typically be completed in just a few months.
  
  
• The condition of the home’s lot: the land on which you build needs to be prepared for construction. This process includes clearing trees, rocks and other items, rough grading and leveling for the foundation. Preparing the lot for new home construction can extend the amount of time it will take to complete the build.
  
  
• Getting the building permit and inspections required can vary and can lengthen the time it takes to move forward with the build.
  
  
• The weather can lengthen the process. The winter season’s below-freezing temperatures prohibit the pouring of concrete for the foundation. In the spring, heavy rain can saturate the ground, preventing builders from digging holes for the foundation and basement due to stability issues of the soil.
  
  
• The availability of contractors can also lengthen the process. The summer months are usually the busiest time for home construction, so you might find your new home’s construction delayed while waiting for the necessary labor to be available.
  
  
• If you, the homeowner, keep changing the plans or have decision delays, it will usually extend the build time, especially if they occur in the latter part of the build.

You can limit the time it takes to build and move into your new home. Make decisions early, work with your builder for extensive pre-planning and estimates as early as possible, and stick with the plan in place rather than make changes late in the building process. Building your home may take time, but in the end, you’ll have a home that’s just right for you.