New Home Construction Timeline

Building a new home can be an exciting time for everyone involved. However, building a home is not for the faint-hearted. When it comes to new home construction and a timeline, one thing is certain: expect the unexpected. That’s why a project plan with a defined timeline is so important, provided that the expectations are realistic.

New Home Construction Timeline: How Long Does It Take To Build a House?

Delays

Two things are bound to happen when building a new home. First, there will more than likely be delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and material shortages. Second, there will be unforeseen expenses. New home builders will oftentimes have unexpected expenses pop up that pertain to the underpricing of materials, changes in design, and adding in fittings and fixtures that were perhaps omitted. In some cases, people will choose more expensive fixtures in which the home builder must account for on the fly. Both the foreseen and unforeseen supply problems and expenses can cause delays as contractors search around for materials and adjust budgets.

Building a house from the ground up, including land preparation time, takes between 6.5 months and 10.5 months according to the National Association of Homebuilders (NAH). This new home construction timeline also includes the time it takes for plans to be approved and for building permits to be granted. The timeline also assumes subcontractors appointed by the contractor for the first and second fixes (plumbing and electricity) are on the ball.

One major benefit of a new home construction timeline is that it can show the homeowner if the house is being built too quickly. Although it might sound strange, components such as brickwork and concrete floors need time to dry and cure. Walls that are built too quickly may not be safe or strong and can crack later on.

Timeline Guidelines

Below is an outline of the steps in the building process as well as an indication of how long each step should take.

Breaking Ground: Lot clearing and preparation. 7-14 days.
Foundations and footers: Concrete slab pouring. 14 days.
Framing: Build walls and roof. 30-60 days.
Mechanicals: Roofing, siding, plumbing, electrics (including HVAC). 7-14 days.
Drywall and insulation: Erection and painting. 30-60 days.
Flooring and trim: Doors, cabinets, shelving, other finishes. 30-60 days.
Exterior finishes: Brick, stucco, siding, stone. 7-14 days.
Fixtures and appliances: Toilets, sinks, lights, shower, baths, appliances. 7-14 days.
Driveways and walkways: Exterior door installation. 7 days.
Cleaning: Readying to move in. 7 days.
Landscaping: Grass, trees, shrubs, and plants. 7 days.
Final inspection: Certificate of occupancy. 7 days.
Walk-through: Final inspection. 1- 2 days.
Closing: Move-in

Additional Reading: Do You Need a Real Estate Agent to Build a House?

Graves Development Resources | Land Developer in Omaha, Nebraska

Graves Development Resources (GDR) has been designing and building the market’s finest neighborhoods since 2000, with over 5,000 homesites and important commercial development projects throughout Douglas and Sarpy Counties.

Our pages showcase current neighborhoods where new home buyers may select from hundreds of home sites. We are definitely “phone friendly” and welcome the opportunity to provide you all the information you need before making one of the most important decisions of your family’s future. Contact us with any questions.