How long does it take to build a new house? Unfortunately, the most obnoxious answer also happens to be true: it depends! Many blogs and websites estimate build times for a new construction home to be between 6 and 12 months, and while that can be true, there are still many factors that can stretch or compress that timeline.
Fortunately, when you contract on a new home at Richmond American, your sales associate will give you a time estimate based on what is realistic for that community. This is a great place to start as you begin to plan for an upcoming move, but keep in mind that many outside factors can make a difference. Below are just a few reasons why a blanket answer to a construction timeline may not be an accurate one.
Permitting
You may have signed your contract, but that doesn’t mean we can start digging that same day. We have to go through the right local channels to make sure your home is completely above board with the correct permits and paperwork. It’s important that we go through the proper channels!
Workforce
First of all, the number of trades available can fluctuate from state to state, and region to region. This is the number of professionals available to work on everything from pouring the foundation, to framing, to wiring and plumbing. At Richmond American, we want the right professionals on the job to make sure your home is completed with quality and attention to detail in mind. Waiting for their availability may be key to your home’s success.
Weather
Weather is another huge location-based factor. Snow storms may not impact a Phoenix construction timeline, but it may push the timeline out weeks in Utah or Colorado. There is hardly a region that doesn’t have weather impacts for a workforce who must brave the elements, be it high heat, hurricanes or snow. As the forecast is hardly predictable, weather is one reason that a move-in day estimate may not be exact.
Supply chain
If there is anything that’s a sore point for businesses operating during a pandemic, it’s the supply chain. If you’ve shopped for furniture or other large-ticket items in the last two years, it’s likely that you’ve run into this COVID-related problem yourself at some point. New construction is no different. It might take just a little longer for a light fixture or appliance to arrive.
Fact! Did you know that location could affect the time table of shipments even pre-pandemic? For example, it can be easier to ship lumber or other supplies to a port city than a land-locked area.
Though there are many factors that can stretch the timeline, there are just as many things that can speed it up! At Richmond American, we make sure we have a handle on all the things we can control:
- An organized construction superintendent who knows the status of your home every day
- A sales associate who stays in-the-know and communicates your home’s status
- A streamlined in-house lender that can keep your financing on track
- An efficient workforce dedicated to constructing your home quickly and efficiently
Long story short, the best way to plan is to stay in communication with the team that’s building your new house. Be sure to ask how long similar homes in the area took to complete so you’re in the right ballpark. If the next step is foundation pouring, ask for an estimated date for that step. If it gets pushed out a week, add that time to your original estimate.
Be sure to have a plan for how you’ll handle your move if there are unexpected delays. Sales associates have experience working with homebuyers in this situation, so they can be a great resource for helping you make this transition as simple as possible. Try to enjoy the journey! When you walk into your brand-new, never been-lived-in-home, it will be worth it!
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