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How long does it (really) take to build a house?

Updated: Mar 4, 2022



The short answer… it depends.


When looking to build, it’s easy to get excited to see their brand-new shiny home on that gorgeous new piece of property. However, it’s important to consider the amount of time it is going to take from breaking ground to moving in.



How long does it take to build a house (on average)?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent 2020 study it takes 6.8 months to build a privately owned home. However, here in Missouri the average time to completion is 7.4 months.



Factors to consider that will affect how long it takes to build

1. The Overall Design of the Home

The more complicated the design of your home, the more specifications it will require, thus taking longer to build and vice versa. Keep this in mind when designing your dream home, are you willing to wait 2, 8, or 12 months longer for the design elements you want?

By talking with a builder, you can determine the specifications required to build the home. If you aren’t willing to wait 12 months consider making a list of the design elements that you MUST have and then get rid of the ones that are just a maybe to speed up the total build time.


2. Permits

Wherever you decide to build your dream home, just know that there will be rules and regulations in place. These regulations require that you acquire permits in order to build on that piece of land, this can take some time. Be sure to factor this into the total time to build.


3. The Lot/Land

Your new home needs to sit on stable ground. This ensures that your home will be safe to live in for years to come. Each and every piece of land has its own unique characteristics that must be dealt with accordingly. Be prepared for the unexpected so a time delay won’t be the end of the world. Plus, if everything goes without a hitch you’ll actually be ahead of schedule!


4. Weather

When it comes to building a home, environmental factors are something we simply cannot control. Just know that bad weather can bring the whole project to a grinding halt or in the case of very severe weather, even set the project back a few steps.


5. Labor

Most custom builds occur during the spring time, so that the build can be completed in the summer and before the nasty winter weather. When looking for a professional builder it is important that you find one that can find the needed labor during these times and can bring in the specialists when required.


6. Changing your Mind Last-Minute

Lots of people find themselves changing their mind last minute when building a home. Can I share a quick secret? That is totally OK! This is your dream home and your money. Do not hesitate to connect with the builder to ensure these changes get put in place. However, do remember that these changes are very likely to extend the projects overall timeframe.



In a Nutshell

Building a house takes time, so don’t expect to have your dream home tomorrow. However, if done properly you can prepare yourself for the time required. By preparing yourself for the worst-case scenario there will be fewer surprises and time-delays won’t be as hard to swallow.


Always be sure to find the right builder. Remember that 9 times out of 10 the quality of the home and the longevity of the home will be dictated by the quality of the builder.


Plus, wouldn’t you rather have a sturdy, high quality home that is designed exactly like you dreamed, rather than to have an okay home that was built in record time? I know I would!


If you ever need someone you can trust to help you through the entire home building process, contact me at (573)-881-9585. No matter the scale or timeframe of the project I would love to serve you.

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