How long it takes to build a house

I usually talk to you about construction costs, but what about time? How long does it take to build a house from the moment we decide to change our lives and embark on the project of building a home?

I will try to be as concise as possible, as the time it takes to build a house depends on many factors—some within our control and others not. Let’s look at what each entails and how to reduce them.

Let’s look at the steps involved in building a house, what they consist of, and how to save time at each stage.

1- Visiting the bank (1-2 months)

If you need a mortgage, this would be one of the first steps, alongside finding an architect.

To be more efficient, it is best to visit your usual bank and at most one other. During these visits, it is important to clarify any doubts and understand all processes and concepts.

From this point, we already have all the necessary information to compare other offers online without having to attend every meeting in person.

I recommend that, in addition to checking your usual bank, you consult the ethical bank Triodos, especially if you are thinking of building an eco-friendly house; they offer good conditions for efficient homes.

2- Finding an architect

(1-2 months for the search and initial meetings)

Parallel to the process of contacting banks, or even before, an architect must be found.

In fact, sometimes the bank may request an initial estimate of approximate costs (based on construction price scales per square meter) to calculate the mortgage and assess its feasibility, which the architect can provide during the first meetings.

3- Buying land

(between 3-6 months)

Once we know the total budget, it is time to look for land.

One of the most important steps in determining how long it takes to build a house, which will depend on our skill and involvement in the search for land.

Our firm has seen clients who found land in just 3 months because they had the time and were constantly online to spot opportunities before anyone else, as well as visiting every site. At the other extreme, we have clients who have taken several years because they were in no hurry to build.

If you would like more information on what criteria to follow and where to look for land, you can consult the article we dedicated to this topic a few months ago.

4- Architectural project

(6 months)

This, along with the construction process, is the step that most concerns our clients. How long does it take to design and build a house?

In our case, we always agree on timelines with clients; if the client is in a hurry, we can always reduce the project time, but it usually takes about 3 months to reach a design that fits the client’s needs and requirements, and another 3 months to define the construction plans in detail.

This process can often be extended if the client includes changes after a design has been approved, and some architects even establish a maximum number of changes by contract after a certain design is approved.

5- Building permit

(2-3 months)

To apply for a building permit from the city council, we need our plans to have been endorsed by the professional association of architects (this takes only about 3 days).

Then, depending on the local council, there are established response deadlines, but care must be taken as the response may be negative and subject to required changes in the project, which can prolong the process.

Normally, it does not take more than 3 months, including any changes requested by the council. In some municipalities, it is necessary to follow up if we are in a hurry so that the technician prioritizes the review of our project, so it is worth checking the legal response times for licenses as they vary from one council to another.

There is also a very common and completely legal trick: submitting part of the project to the council for approval while our architect finishes the detailed construction plans in the studio.

In this way, the council grants the permit pending receipt of the full documentation, requiring it for the start of the work, thus streamlining the entire process.

6- Building the house

(between 9 and 18 months)

Finally, and most importantly, getting to work.

Many factors come into play here, and one must always allow a margin for setbacks.

The construction time of a house basically depends on the construction system and the material.

For example, if we build a brick house, it is very difficult to prefabricate elements such as walls before starting the work, whereas if we build with wood, it is possible to carry out processes on-site and in the workshop simultaneously, thus reducing construction times.