How much time does it take to construct a house
Introduction
Building a house is a dream of many; however, it is an expensive endeavour. There are many things that go towards achieving this dream, including time, money and a good choice of architect services. Knowing the construction estimate is one of the best things to do before undertaking this expensive project. Here, we will discuss the factors that can help you stay within budget and help establish how much time it would take to build the house of your dreams.
Key Factors That Influence Construction Timelines
1. Size and Complexity of the Project
One of the key aspects to focus on while estimating the cost and time of house construction is the area of the plot you want to develop. There is a linear relationship between the size of your plot and the time, the larger the area, the more time is required. Similarly, intricate designs, finishing work and the fine details you want also increase completion time.
2. Design and Architectural Planning
As Abraham Lincoln said, if you have to cut a tree, spend more time sharpening your axe. This is also very true for a construction estimate. One of the most demanding stages of house construction is always the planning and design phase. You must spend a considerable amount of time with your architect and construction partner to improve your house design. Similarly, construction time also increases as we have to obtain permissions and NOCs from relevant authorities and approval from government agencies, which can take up to a year or more. This also means you will need to spend more time on the design board with your architect to ensure everything is correct.
3. Choice of Construction Company
The more experienced a construction company is, the less time you will spend troubleshooting design. A more experienced construction company is aware of the caveats and pitfalls associated with every construction project. An experienced construction firm can cut your cost and time by half, provided the designs and approval are in place.
4. Approvals and Legal Clearances
As mentioned earlier, government agencies and approval bodies take more time than the actual construction. Depending on your approval bodies, whether it is the city administration or the society bylaws, the time can vary, but approvals are one of the bottlenecks of the construction timeline. An experienced architect services provider can take care of this in less than the estimated time.
5. Weather Conditions
Besides the obvious factors, weather also plays a significant role in the construction timeline. Construction in extreme conditions, such as inclement weather like snow, too humid, hot, or too cold conditions, usually slows down considerably.
6. Availability of Materials and Labour
It is easier to complete construction when a workforce is available. A well-experienced team of workers can significantly reduce construction time. Similarly, the availability of materials also affects the construction speed. Even if you assemble an avenger team for your construction project, without proper materials and the availability of construction equipment, they will not be able to do much. This is not a problem if you or your architect services provider considers it during the planning phase.
7. Interior Design and Finishing
A house is not just brick and cement. To make it livable, you also need to spend time and money on interior design. Interior design is a delicate task that sometimes takes equal, if not more, time than actual construction. An interior designer takes the time to design everything according to the preferences of family members, the quality of the build, and other relevant factors.
General Timeline for House Construction
As we have learned, homebuilding is not a single task, but a collection. If you have completed your design well and obtained all the necessary construction permits, then you are left with the actual construction of the house, which is typically done in phases. Each phase takes a variable number of weeks to complete, provided the necessary materials and workers are available.
1. Foundation and Framing
Foundation and framing take 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the area of the house. The larger the house, the more time you need for elaborate foundation planning. This includes digging trenches, pouring bare concrete, and marking sewerage lines and routes. It is usually the second slowest process after interior design.
2. Exterior and Roofing
Exterior elevation and roofing are then commenced. It takes around 4 weeks to complete with consecutive days of work. The house starts to feel like it’s emerging with every brick. This is also the most labour-intensive process, as well, where everything should be readily available with no supply chain issues. Before commencing this phase, collect the necessary materials and workforce in advance so that once it is started, it can be completed fully.
3. Interior Work
Once the skeleton of the house is complete, it is time to make it home. This is typically done through interior design, and you should start working on it the moment construction begins or even before that. I recommend that clients hire both the architect and the construction firm simultaneously, or through the same company, to ensure a smooth transition and effective communication with minimal time delays.
In terms of time, interior design typically takes between 4 and 8 months, depending on the details and the scope of work required.
4. Final Touches and Landscaping
Final touches are usually part of the interior design. An interior designer takes the whole project as one, so they spend a combined 8 weeks to complete it. Landscaping, however, can take more time, as there is a difference between the covered area and the surrounding space. A landscape can work in tandem with an interior designer to complete it within the 8 weeks designated for interior design. This includes pools, gardens, plants, and other features that make the house stand out from the crowd.
Conclusion
House construction is a time-consuming and expensive task. If you are not aware of the time/cost estimate, you will surely spend more. A fully functional and ready-to-move-in house construction takes around 1.5 years, depending on the area and the resources dedicated. Your architect services provider would be better able to provide an accurate construction estimation of your house.