Time is money. Especially when it comes to building a new home. Because every week costs hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars in rent and mortgage repayments.
Not to mention the uncertainty of living in limbo while you wait for your home to be finished. And that you’re no doubt looking to move into your dream home!
This article explores how long you should expect your home to take to build. And what you can do to ensure it is finished on time and on budget.
General Timeline: From Design to Completion
Building a custom home should take about 9 to 13 months from start (when you choose your builder) to finish (when you get your keys). Here’s a breakdown of each stage:
1. Design & Pre-Construction (3-4 Months)
Design
Like most homeowners, you’ve probably been dreaming about building a custom home for months (maybe years). Researching options, gathering ideas, and drafting rough floorplans everywhere. Now it’s time to finalise your ideas on paper.
This can be tricky (and time consuming). So it’s important to find an architect or designer builder who helps you clarify your vision, refine your ideas, and bring everything to life in a practical plan. The faster you finalise your plan, the smoother the rest of the process will be.
Delays in the design process can set your home back by months before it even begins. So it’s important to get the information and advice you need to make confident decisions.
Key Activities:
- Collaborating with architects and designers
- Approving architectural drawings
- Selecting colours, fixtures, and fittings
Pre-Construction
Congratulations – with your design set, most of your hard work is done. Now it’s time for the pre-construction phase where your builder arranges permits, site assessments, and necessary reports including soil, energy and structural evaluations.
Pre-construction sets the course for your entire build. During this time, an organised builder will order all building materials (including your fixtures and fittings) and schedule all trades (so they arrive in perfect sequence to complete their part of the build).
The number one reason why so many homes run overtime and over budget is because of disorganisation during the pre-construction phase. When supplies are not ordered on time, they are unlikely to arrive in time (or may even become unavailable which means you’ll have to choose alternatives). And when trades are not scheduled (or delays change the schedule), the timeline keeps getting pushed back further and further.
Be sure to choose a builder who has the skills and systems to organise everything during pre-construction. It’s the key to a smooth build.
Key Activities:
- Obtaining building permits
- Conducting soil tests and surveys
- Generating energy reports and structural drawings
- Ordering building materials
- Scheduling trades
2. Construction (6-9 Months)
It’s time to bring your vision to life. With the right planning, your permits will be in place, building materials will be on site, and trades scheduled to finish your home in just 6-9 months (weather permitting).
A good builder will monitor every step to ensure premium quality and keep you fully informed so you always know what’s happening and can enjoy the journey.
Planning, oversight, and communication are the keys.
Key Activities:
- Site preparation and foundation work
- Framing and roofing
- Installing plumbing, electrical, and air-conditioning systems
- Interior and exterior finishing
Factors That Can Affect the Timeline (And How To Overcome Them)
While the above timeline provides a general overview, several factors can influence how long it takes to build your custom home, including:
Design Changes: Frequent changes to the design during construction can cause significant delays. That’s why it’s important to finalise your design as much as possible before construction begins.
Permits and Approvals: Delays in obtaining permits can delay construction, putting your home behind before it even begins. Choosing an experienced local builder who understands regional regulations will help you get your approvals processed quickly.
Weather Conditions: Heavy rain or extreme temperatures can delay various stages of construction. An experienced builder will factor this into the schedule to ensure your home is finished on time.
Material and Labor Availability: This is the number one reason so many homes run overtime and over budget. An experienced builder will order building materials (from reliable suppliers) and schedule trades (from their trusted network) ahead of time to ensure construction runs smoothly and on time.
The Importance of Organisation and Communication
As repeated throughout this article, an organised builder with a clear construction schedule and effective communication is essential to getting your home built on time and on budget. This includes:
Procurement Schedule: Ordering building materials and scheduling trades in alignment with the construction timeline ensures the right products and people are onsite at the right time, preventing delays.
Administration Staff: Experienced administration staff are needed to manage purchasing, scheduling, and communication with trades and suppliers, so construction runs smoothly.
Client Communication: Keeping you (the homeowner) informed and involved in decision-making processes helps prevent misunderstandings and mistakes, and keeps everything on track and on time.
How to Avoid Delays
To avoid unnecessary delays, homeowners should:
Be Organised: Gather all your ideas into one place, so you can communicate clearly and completely with your builder. Ask for their input to help you clarify your vision. And try not to make changes during construction because every alteration may increase your timeline and budget.
Make Timely Decisions: Be decisive about design choices, fixtures, and fittings to prevent hold-ups. If unsure, ask your builder for guidance — they have years of experience and can help refine your choices.
Choose the Right Builder: Don’t be lured in by low prices or slick salespeople. Do your due diligence, and choose a builder known for quality workmanship, strong trade relationships, and efficient project management.
The Information You Need To Get The Home You Really Want – On-Time And On Budget
Building a new home is a significant investment of time and money. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be an enjoyable experience with a predictable timeline.
When you choose an organised builder (with a clear construction schedule and effective communication), you should be enjoying your home in 9-13 months.
Loving that everything is brand new and perfectly suited to the way you like to live. Indulging in the special features you helped design. Proudly sharing your vision with friends and family who visit. All in a little over a year from now.
For more tips to help you get your dream home – on time and on budget — download our Free Guide: Build with Confidence – 7 Things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home.
Or schedule a Free Consultation to discuss the vision you have for your new home.
For more tips to help you navigate the complexities of home building, download our Free Guide
Build with Confidence – 7 Things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home
