How Long Does It Take to Build a Single-Family Home?
Do you want to know how long it takes to build a new home?
Here are the processes and step by step how to calculate the time period by contractor.
According to the most recent US Census Bureau (2018) statistics, the average completion time for a single-family home is nearly 8 months, including 30 days from permission (permitting) to start and 6.7 months from start to completion.
It should be noted, however, that build times vary based on geographic area, home style, and construction technique.
The current real estate market may also have an influence on the timetable since if it is a busy market, the procedure may take a little longer.
Taking a deeper look at single-family houses constructed in 2018, those built for sale had the least length of time from permission to completion, at 5.9 months.
Owner-built houses took the longest to complete, taking 11 months.
Single-family homes built by hired contractors took 8.4 months from permission to completion.
In 2018, the average time from getting permits to completion for all single-family houses (including those built for rent) was 6.7 months, representing a nearly 12 percent increase over 2013.
The great majority of single-family house building started within one month of receiving permits.
Those residences built on the owners' land, whether by hired contractors or by the owner, took 1.1 and 1.3 months, respectively, to begin construction after permitting approval.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Single-Family Home?
The US Census data, Characteristics of New Housing, also reveals that the average time from permitting/authorization to completion varies by location across the country.
The longest period was 10.2 months in the Northeast, followed by 8.3 months in the Midwest and 8.0 months in the West.
In 2018, the South had the shortest authorization to completion time in the country, at 7.1 months.
The average days from building permit
The average number of days between the issuance of a building permit to the commencement of construction of a single-family home varies by area across the country.
The South had the greatest average length of 33 days from permit/authorization to commencement, while the Midwest had the smallest average duration of 24 days.
A Week-by-Week Timeline for Building Your New Home
As you close the chapter on the first phase of home construction – working with a realtor to buy your property/lot; acquiring dream house designs; obtaining permits and licenses; and hiring a contractor – prepare for the fun and thrilling adventure of home construction.
What happens next? Will it be a “quick” house – or a lengthy process – before your new home fills that property?
From breaking ground to moving in, here is a house construction timetable that breaks down the regular processes per week – and the length of time required – in building your home.
Each step is listed below, and we will go into greater depth after the list:
- Week 1: Groundbreaking/Site Excavation/Footings
- Week 2-3: Foundation
- Week 4-5: Framing
- Week 6-7: Mechanicals
- Week 7-8: Insulation/Drywall
- Week 9-11: Flooring/Trim/Paint
- Week 12-13: Exterior Facade
- Week 14: Fixtures/Appliances/Interior Finish
- Week 15: More Exterior Work-Driveways/Walkways/Doors
- Week 16: Interior Clean Up
- Week 17: Landscape Work
- Week 18: Inspection
- Week 19: Walk-Through/Review
- Week 20: Closing
Weather circumstances, for example, might create delays in the procedure and lengthen the timetable.
When these occurrences occur, it's critical to maintain contact with your builder so you know how long the incidents have delayed your project.
Week 1: Groundbreaking/Excavation of the Site/Footings
Consider all of the photos of historic events you've seen - but this time, this thrilling moment is all yours.
Watch as your contractor sketches out the layout of the house on your land as his team prepares to level the site for appropriate drainage and to remove out garbage, rocks, and trees.
The initial stage of constructing your home has begun.
The foundation of a house is supported by its footings, which are the concrete bases that form the lowest section of the structure.
Footings support the whole structure and are often placed four feet below the frost line to protect your house from soil moisture.
Week 2-3: Foundation
After the footings have been laid and inspected, the concrete on the foundation – which can be a full basement, a slab, or a crawl space – can be poured.
Because this is the foundation of the house, it is critical that it remain dry and free of cracks.
Anchor bolts should also be used to connect the frame structure to the foundation.
What is the time frame? The entire procedure, including drying time and another inspection, may take up to two weeks.
Week 4-5: Framing
Once the concrete is set and totally dry, the next stage is to construct the framework or "skeleton" of your house, which will be based on the floor plan you choose.
The outside walls are framed first, followed by the floors and roof rafters. The walls and ceiling are then covered with “sheathing.”
The structure is then wrapped in a protective barrier known as house wrap, which prevents liquid water from penetrating the building while enabling water vapor to escape.
An inspection follows the completion of first framing to ensure that the project is done correctly.
Week 6-7: Mechanicals
Once the frame – or skeleton of the building – is complete, your home builder and his crew may begin work on siding, roofing, wiring, and plumbing in the new home.
As water heaters and the HVAC system are installed, expect to see cables, pipes, sewage lines, and vents running through the floor, walls, and ceilings.
Following the installation of the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems, additional inspections will be performed.
Week 7-8: Insulation/Drywall
Insulation is put in walls towards the midway of the construction phase.
The inside walls and ceilings are subsequently drywalled or plaster boarded, sanded, and primed.
This is also the time to apply the first layer of paint.
Week 9-11: Flooring/Trim/Paint
Things will get more interesting and entertaining from here on out.
Flooring is ready for installation; you can select from wood, ceramic, or vinyl.
Carpeting is installed later, while interior doors, cabinets, moldings, built-in shelving, and other woodwork are installed first.
The drywall is given a second coat of paint once the trim has been installed.
Week 12-13: Exterior Facade
Exterior finishes such as brick, stucco, stone, and siding are installed by contractors.
The exterior of your property will start to come to life.
Week 14: Fixtures/Appliances/Interior Finish
At this point, trade experts (electricians, plumbers, and subcontractors) will be in and out of the house installing light fixtures, plugs, faucets, bathtubs, toilets, sinks, shower units, cabinets, worktops, and appliances.
If you decide to have carpeting placed in your house, this is the time to do so.
Week 15: More Exterior Work- Driveways/Walkways/Doors
It is suggested that homeowners wait until all internal finishes and trim work have been finished before adding driveways, pathways, and external doors — to minimize potential damage when heavy furniture is brought inside the house.
Week 16: Interior Clean Up
With all of the fixtures and furnishings in place, it's time to clean thoroughly in preparation for "moving day."
Week 17: Landscape Work
Now it's simply a matter of deciding on the landscape!
To create a beautiful and appealing exterior, walkways are framed by shrubs, trees, flowers, and grass.
Working with landscapers to create the yard you desire is essential.
Flowers, gardens, and trees may always be added later, but now is a good time to finish the basic landscaping elements.
Week 18: Inspection
An inspection by a building-code official is performed to ensure that everything is in accordance with standard requirements.
Once the inspector decides that there are no mistakes or code violations, a certificate of occupancy is given.
Week 19: Walk-Through and Review
You've passed the final inspection, and now your builder will give you a "tour" – sometimes known as a "pre-settlement demonstration" – of your house from top to bottom so you can become acquainted with all of the features and systems involved.
Examine fixtures and appliances for any flaws or damage as your own "inspector."
Before you sign the contract, make sure you are comfortable – and pleased – with everything in your new house.
If you see any problems, now is the time to notify your contractor and get them repaired.
Week 20: Closing
Welcome to your new residence!
Remember that weather concerns – rain, high heat in the summer; snow, extreme cold in the winter – and other last-minute, unforeseen occurrences may cause building to be delayed for a few days or weeks.
Prepare for this by communicating with your builder, being calm and cool, and, most importantly, enjoying the trip!
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