In 2020, the United States saw almost 1 million homes built. While home construction saw a sharp decline in 2006, it has steadily risen even in the face of a global pandemic and supply chain issues.
Are you considering building a home? Congratulations! You’re in the position to create a customized haven you and your family will enjoy for years.
Before you dive into this adventure, you may have some questions about the home building process. This article will walk you through the process from start to finish and provide home building tips along the way. Read on!
How Long Does It Take To Build A House?
According to the United States Census Bureau, building a home averages between 6 to 12 months to complete. Many factors, including the following, affect the home building process:
- Location
- Weather
- Floorplan
- Region
- Availability of materials
The next sections will break down the steps of building a house so you can understand where the time goes.
Finding a Plot of Land
Just like buying a house, finding the right plot of land can take days or months. If you’re paying cash, the purchase will move much faster.
If you want land with specific features (acreage, views, proximity to work) expect the search and purchase to take closer to the 30- to 40-day range.
Working With an Architect
Now that you’ve found your spot, it’s time to plan what to build on your lot. An architect can take anywhere from 1-4 months to draft plans.
If you’re building in a housing development, this process will go faster because the plans are already drawn. You’ll get the chance to customize the look by choosing things like flooring, cabinets, front elevation, and wall colors.
Getting the Proper Permits
Getting the right permits is an essential step for avoiding construction delays. After filling out your permit applications, it generally takes around two weeks to receive approval.
Both you and your contractor will submit permit applications. Working closely with your contractor will ensure that you’re on the same page with filling out and submitting applications. This can help you save time you may have spent waiting on permits to come in.
The Big Build
As mentioned above, building a single-family dwelling typically takes 6-12 months. By region, homes take around 6 months in the South, 8 months in the West and Midwest, and 11 months in the Northeast. The usual flow of building is as follows:
- Site work like water and sewer inspections
- Excavation and pouring concrete for the foundation
- Framing the roof and skeleton of the house
- Exterior finishes like siding, windows, garage
- System installation for HVAC, plumbing, and electricity
- Interior finishes like flooring, countertops, and painting
That’s Your Overview of the Home Building Process
With all that laid out, you can see the home building process. This should give you a feel for how long building your home may take.
With this information, you can confidently step forward towards the home of your dreams. You’ll be planning a move before you know it!
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