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The Average Time it Takes To Build a New House

December 20, 2018
Exterior of Eton home in Chappelle Gardens by Brookfield Residential in Edmonton AB

Many people hold the dream of building their own home close to their hearts. New construction homes not only fulfill this dream but also often serve as lucrative investments

When starting the process of building a new home, one question commonly arises: How long will it take before you can finally move into your newly constructed home? The timeline hinges on a multitude of factors unique to your project. Nevertheless, the process of building a new home generally adheres to a predefined sequence of events, offering a glimpse into what you can anticipate throughout the journey.  

We’ll take a look at the new home construction process timeline and how long it takes to complete a new home after you sign the sales contract.

Multiple factors can affect the building timeline

 

No two new home builds are alike. It’s important to ask your builder to estimate the time it will take to build your new home. “Something that should be written in your purchase agreement is an estimated timeline for your home to be completed,” says Kristy Seibert, Community Manager with Brookfield Residential.“

"We can't give an exact possession date that far in advance. But we have to have your home finished within a certain period of time.”

Much of the new home building timeline can depend on acquiring building permits, the foundation and framing, interior mechanical installation and more. Following are some conditions that may impact the construction of a new home.

Building permits

A first step in the home building process usually involves selecting the lot or homesite for your future home, followed by choosing the home you want to build on it.

Ask the builder about permits

“Something to consider is that sometimes builders have applied for permits ahead of time,” Kristy says. “So they already have their building permits ready to go, and that would allow construction to start right away on your home.If permits aren't yet in place, attaining them can take anywhere from about a month to three months to get the permit submitted to and returned by the city and the development building permits readied."

The status of your permits is something you may want to ask the builder about. The builder will know if permits have been issued or if they need to be pursued after you purchase. Your builder will also be able to give you an estimate for how long this part of the process may take.

Weather and environment 

 

While building is possible year round no matter where the home is being built, weather can affect the timeline to completion.                  

“Sometimes homes built in the summer can go up a little bit quicker than homes built in winter,” she says. “But, there shouldn’t be a huge difference in time in terms of the start to finish.”

The environment in which your home is being built can also affect the building timeline. For example, land that requires a lot of terracing or tree removal prior to building, could extend the building timeline. 

Scale and style of the home

 

Large and complex home designs with many planned built-in features, such as multiple fireplaces and bathrooms, may naturally take longer to build than smaller, simpler homes. Your builder will take these extras into account when determining the approximate time it will take for your new home to be built.

 

Foundation and framing

 

The builder will issue a start date for your new home. “They'll let you know when your home starts construction and they'll begin to dig for the foundation and pour the foundation,” Kristy says. “That usually takes a few weeks to make sure the foundation cures properly.”

In time, it will be fully framed, the windows will be installed, which help serve to seal the home. 

Remember that it’s a construction site

 

As the home’s future owner, you’ll be able to view all of the progress from the street and drive by as often as you want. Depending on your builder, you might be able to actually go on the property itself – but check with the builder first. 

 

“Even if someone with the builder accompanies you, it's still a construction site. So, it may not really be safe to be visiting at that time,” Kristy says. “After the next step, you’ll be provided with an opportunity to walk through the home.”

Timeframe for selecting finishes

 

Your builder will provide you with a timeline for selecting any items needed to build your new home. “Typically, you'll have your interior selections chosen within the first two weeks of construction starting,” Kristy says, however this process can vary depending on your builder and your home type.

It’s important to select all of your interior finishes as quickly as you can. Delaying these decisions could potentially cause delays in getting your home started, Kristy says.               

“We just want to make sure that there's no delays waiting for materials, so that when it comes time to install the flooring in your home, for example, you've already selected it. If it’s selected, it’s ordered, and it’s ready to go. So there are no delays caused by waiting for materials,” she says.   

Select your design elements with care

 

Some builders will make changes after you finish your selections and others will not, so choose carefully, she adds. Building timelines are a priority with builders. They want to ensure that you make selections quickly so the items you choose can be ordered and ready to go in your new home.

 

Finishing interior mechanicals

 

Adding the home’s interior mechanicals, such as the electrical and plumbing components, is the next step in the build process. After that, you may be invited to conduct a walk-through of the home with the builder. This, Kristy says, is an opportunity to learn about the home’s mechanicals that will be behind the walls after the insulation and drywall are completed.

Interior finishing

 

The completion of the mechanical systems would be followed by the additions of:

  • Insulation
  • Drywall
  • Painting
  • Finishings

Your finishings usually include installation of your cabinetry, followed by your flooring and countertops

Taking final possession of your home

 

The near completion of the home building journey is often signaled with a walk-through of the home about a week or two away from the possession date of the home, Kristy says.

“Anything that needs to be touched up in the home should be touched up by the time you take possession.”

On the day you are scheduled to take possession of the home, you'll do a last quick walk-through to ensure that those items noted in the previous walk-through have been addressed. You’ll also be walked through all any smart home technology and how to use it. After that, you can move into your new dream home.  

Typical new construction home timeline

 

While no two home building projects are alike, here is a recap of some of the typical steps you can expect in the new home building process:

  1. Signing the purchase contract.
  2. Selecting your interior finishes over the next few weeks.
  3. Over the next few months, the foundation will be built, the framing will follow and the mechanicals will be installed.
  4. You’ll conduct an initial walk-through of the home, within about three after signing the sales contract.
  5. Approximately two-to-three months later, you’ll conduct another home walk-through to point out any deficiencies you may find in the home.The builder then makes any necessary touch ups before you take possession of the home.
  6. On possession day, you'll do a last quick walk-through to ensure that those items have been addressed. If all is good, you can move into your new home.

Takeaway

 

The time it takes to build a new home can depend on many different factors. From weather to permitting, there’s a lot that can affect how long it takes to build a new home. Use the guide above to get a better idea for how long your home may take to finish. For more homebuying tips, check out our blog for helpful topics like how to decide where to live and five tips for buying a new build home.

For more information or questions about Brookfield Residential homes, take a look at the areas where we build or contact us directly.


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