With construction costs reaching $230,000 and wages for bricklayers on the rise, many people are questioning how long it takes to build a house. Here’s an overview of the length of time it takes to create a single-family home from start to finish.
Planning and Design
This is the stage where a developer decides which lot he or she wants to purchase and discusses plans with local council. The architect then creates 3D renderings of what your new house will look like before any work begins.
Pre-Conceptual Studies
In this stage, designers work out all of the important issues that must be resolved before construction begins, such as location and size of driveway, patio or deck space. Other issues involve the use of materials, such as wooden siding instead of stucco or brick. Modern construction methods allow developers to solve these questions early on in the design process and avoid costly changes at a later date.
Building Permits
Next, you need to submit plans to your local government. The council will determine if your plans meet local codes and regulations before issuing a building permit. This process can take up to a few weeks.
Site Preparation
Once permission is granted, the developer has to prepare the site for construction. This includes grading, removing trees and excavating the land. Once that’s done, work can begin on the foundation and framing.
Building Materials
This is where you choose your exterior materials such as siding, decking, fencing and other amenities. You can also decide on the interior fixtures, such as flooring, countertops and cabinets. The builder will draw up the plans for your house at this point.
Frame Construction
Once all of the exterior finishes are complete, the frame of your house is installed. This includes installing walls, windows and doors as well as electrical wiring.
Interior Finish
The interior of the house is now finished. The builder will complete any finish work necessary to comply with local codes, such as adding drywall in specific locations such as closets and bathrooms. He or she will also install all of the plumbing and wiring necessary for the home’s operation.
Roofing, Decks & Siding
This is the final stage when your home is fully habitable. The builder will finish off the roof and deck in preparation for painting.
The time it takes to build a house depends on many factors, including the size and complexity of the home. For example, it takes approximately two months to install poured-in-place concrete slabs in a garage or concrete block walls as opposed to wood studs that are installed over wood studs. The amount of framing required is another factor determining the time it takes to build a house.