How Long Does It Take to Build a New Custom Home?
The amount of time it takes to build a new, custom home depends on
the size, complexity, and geographic location (what part of the country you
are building in).
The time it takes just to complete the architectural plans depends on
how timely you make decisions and your availability to meet with your
designer and builder for design meetings.
On average, developing a new set of plans that is ready for permitting
can take between three and six months. Add one more month for permitting.
For a home that’s approximately 3,000 square feet, anticipate about an
eight-to-ten month construction time, provided the market isn’t overly busy
and there is a timely response from vendors and subcontractors. If you’re
building a 6,000-square-foot home, anticipate a construction time of 12 to
13 months. If you have to prepare the lot by removing an old house or
taking out trees, add another 3-4 weeks. For a 10,000-square-foot home,
add two months to the design time and another six to eight months of
construction time.
These estimates assume normal market conditions, which allow for a
timely response from vendors and subcontractors.
Also please remember if your selectable items are not chosen on time,
this can cause multiple weeks of delays in construction. Change orders
will also delay your construction time.
It’s important to understand the realistic timeline you get from your
builder and the things that may delay a timely completion process. Beware
of a builder who promises an overly idealistic timeline just to get the
contract. In the end, you’ll be stuck with the reality timeline.
