How long does a construction project really take? It depends, here’s why.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Timelines are one of the most commonly misunderstood parts of construction. Many people assume the process moves faster than it actually does, especially if they haven’t been through it before. But each project is made up of multiple phases, some of which are affected by things outside your control, like your city’s permit review process or seasonal weather.
Whether you’re building a custom home or planning a backyard ADU, this page will help you understand what affects your schedule and how to plan accordingly.
What Affects Your Timeline
No two projects are the same, but these are the most common variables that determine how long it will take from start to finish:
Project Type
- Custom homes take the longest.
- Remodels, additions, and ADUs follow, but the complexity of your project has more impact than the label.
Project Delivery Method
- Design-build teams often move faster because design and construction planning happen at the same time.
- Design-bid-build typically takes longer, since design is completed before contractor selection.
Permitting Timeline
- Varies dramatically by location.
- Some cities issue permits within 3-4 weeks, while others take 3-6 months, depending on scope, reviews, and staffing.
Site Conditions
- Sloped lots, drainage issues, tight access, or poor soil can slow things down in both planning and construction.
- Even simple homes take longer on difficult sites.
Weather and Climate
- Rainy seasons, snow, high winds, or extreme temperatures can delay exterior work.
- Starting construction in winter may mean you wait weeks or months to pour concrete or frame the structure.
Financing
- If you’re using a loan, approvals, draw schedules, and required inspections can add time between milestones.
- Your lender may also require finalized plans before releasing funds.
Construction Method
- Modular or prefab homes typically move faster on-site than traditional stick-built construction.
- Standard framing methods offer more flexibility but often take longer overall.
Team Coordination
- Delays often come from waiting on decisions, missed handoffs, or lack of clarity between team members.
- Having one clear point of contact (like a GC or project manager) can help keep things on track.
Architecture Speed
- Design delays are common. Architects often wait on surveys, soil reports, zoning clarifications, or owner feedback.
- Revisions during design development, or scope changes midstream, can add several weeks to a project.
- Starting with clear goals and information helps your architect move faster.
How Long Will It Take?
Here are rough timelines based on project type. These include preconstruction and construction, but assume the project moves forward without major pauses or revisions:
Project Type | Typical Duration (Full Process) |
Custom Home | 12–24 months |
Major Remodel | 6–12 months |
Addition | 6–10 months |
ADU | 6–12 months |
Each project includes:
- Pre-design planning
- Architectural design
- Engineering
- Permitting
- Bidding (if applicable)
- Construction
Typical Project Phases and Duration
Phase | Estimated Duration |
Pre-Planning & Research | 2–4 weeks |
Schematic + Design Development | 4–12+ weeks |
Construction Documents | 2–4 weeks |
Permitting & Agency Review | 4–12+ weeks (varies widely) |
Bidding & Contractor Selection | 2–6 weeks |
Construction | 3–12 months (project dependent) |
Note that some of these phases may overlap. For example, permitting review may begin before you’ve selected a contractor, or engineering may occur in parallel with plan revisions.
How to Reduce Delays
You may not be able to speed up permitting or weather, but here’s what you can control:
- Start early. Even if you’re not ready to build, planning and design take time.
- Be responsive. Delays often come from waiting on decisions, selections, or approvals.
- Get surveys and reports done early. Your architect can’t finalize plans without them.
- Hire an experienced team. Good professionals keep things moving and anticipate roadblocks.
- Expect one round of revisions. Cities often issue corrections, even for clean plan sets.
Common Timeline Myths
- “Once I have plans, I can start building.”
You’ll still need permit approval, contractor selection, and possibly engineering review. - “Permits only take a few weeks.”
In some places, yes. But in many areas, it’s closer to 2–3 months—sometimes more. - “If I skip preconstruction steps, I’ll save time.”
Rushing or skipping steps usually leads to change orders, permitting issues, or rework, all of which cost time later.
What’s Next: Budget & Financing
Now that you have a better sense of how long your project might take, the next step is understanding how your budget and financing strategy fit into the process.
Whether you’re building from savings, using a construction loan, or still figuring out your range, your financial approach will impact your timeline, team, design decisions, and overall scope.
In the next section, we’ll introduce the basics of construction budgeting and how to start shaping a financial plan. This includes:
- How much different project types typically cost
- What drives costs up or down
- Financing options (construction loans, refinancing, cash flow planning)
- How to plan for overruns or changes
- How to align budget with your design decisions
- Tools to help build a working project budget
Head to the Budget & Financing to learn what factors affect your project’s cost and how to prepare for each phase financially.