How Long Does It Take To Build A House?

Joel RobinsonMay 24, 20194 min read

You may be asking yourself, how long does it take to build a house? The uncertainty of any new construction project can be daunting. Time is a precious commodity. Having decided to build a new home, you want to occupy and fill it with memories as soon as possible. From scratch, the average Australian home building project takes approximately eight months to complete. Obviously, build-time will vary according to the specifications of your contract, weather conditions, the size of your construction team, and whether you decide to build with a custom or a volume builder. A full custom designed home can take approximately 12 months (or more) to complete, depending on the design and plan you have chosen to go for. A volume builder standard home can be as little as 5 months. A volume builder standard plan with modifications will typically take 1-2 months more.This timeline will familiarise you with the process of roughly just how long does it take to build a house:Before lifting tools: The pre-construction process is critical in minimising build-time. Sit down with your builder and set expectations for the contract. Clear lines of communication are crucial to a timely project. For more pre-build pointers, click here.

The Foundation This stage should take approximately four weeks. Here, the site is cleared of any debris or obstructions such as vegetation or rocks. The ground is excavated and levelled. Before the slab is poured, some plumbing and electricity will need to be installed. Then the concrete pad can be laid. It is estimated that this phase will absorb 10% of your total build budget.The Frames Typically, this stage will take four weeks. The timeline for this phase varies depending on the build’s requirements. This is due to a number of variables: the materials used, the house size and the weather at the point of framing, which includes roof skillions and external walls. Insulation will be installed. Conduits for plumbing and electricals will be laid. This process will account for approximately 20% of your total budget.

Lock-up This stage will typically take around four weeks. Here, the house is sealed and weather-proofed; pipes and wiring are also installed. Doors and windows are fitted. External walls are rendered. 30-35% of a total build cost will go towards the lock-up phase.The Fixtures This stage can prove time-consuming, taking up to six weeks. Here, we finesse the details. Plumbing and electricals are finalized, skirting boards are added, gutters and downpipes are installed; internal cladding, waterproofing and tiling is completed. Additionally, power-points and lights will be fitted, as will cabinets and shelving. The build will begin to resemble a home. 20% of your total contract will be absorbed by this stage.Completion Taking three to four weeks, this stage is critical to the successful completion of a build. Organise a ‘walk-through’ of the property. Be picky. If something doesn’t meet your expectations, raise it with your builder. Before settling, ensure all questions and concerns have been addressed. This period is also an opportune time to learn how to operate any features and fixtures. This might include security systems or home-entertainment control panels.

Settlement Time to close. Grab your keys and start making memories!How iBuildNew Can Help Say no to tricky spreadsheets and messy notes - iBuildNew lets you compare builder's/ developers information side by side! Our comparison function allows you to efficiently compare homes or packages to help you determine the level of inclusions within a home that are most important to you! For this information and much more, call 1800 182 284 for free, expert advice!

Joel Robinson

Joel Robinson is the Editor in Chief at iBuildNew, where he leads the editorial team and oversees the country's most comprehensive news coverage dedicated to the new home building industry. With more than a decade of experience in residential real estate journalism, Joel brings deep insight into Australia's evolving home building and construction landscape.

How Long Does It Take To Build A House?

Joel Robinson

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