How Long Does It Take To Build a New House? Here’s What You Need To Know

Building a new house is an exciting process. From designing a floor plan to curating your home’s unique aesthetic, many crucial decisions are ahead of you. You may be anxious to move into your new home as soon as possible, leaving you wondering how long does it take to build a new house? Let’s dive in. 

How Long Does It Take To Build a New House?

The short answer is – it depends. Several steps go into the homebuilding process; some factors can streamline or delay them. In this blog, we’ll dive into the home-building timeline so you’re prepared for some of the steps you need to take before settling into your new home. 

An Estimated Timeline for Building a New Home in Southern Oregon:

According to one of Southern Oregon’s top-tier homebuilders and owner of Riverdell Construction, Matt Bryant, the average timeline for building a new custom-built home is about 12-14 months. The overall influx of materials cost has stabilized now with supply chain issues getting resolved. However, some specialized materials such as windows may still have long lead times, due to high demand, causing delays in construction.    

There are some things you’ll need to accomplish before construction begins, so it’s important to note that some time could be added on. Below, we’ll list some of the steps to the homebuilding process so you can better understand what’s to come.

lot 5 exterior

What To Do Before You Can Start Building a New Home:

There are four crucial things you need to do before starting the construction process. 

1. Find Your Ideal Lot

Before even considering building a new home, you have to purchase a lot to put it on. You can search local real estate listings, browse the internet, talk to friends and family, or hire a real estate agent to find buildable land. 

Location is everything when it comes to finding your ideal lot. You must consider acreage, climate, neighborhood, and surrounding activities and amenities. If you’re interested in a luxury, gated community in Southern Oregon’s wine country, we have a collection of lots for sale that we think you’ll fall in love with. 

2. Determine Your Budget

Before diving into work, setting aside time to determine your budget is essential. When you review exactly what you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to spend, you can prepare yourself to get great results without suffering extra financial stress. Being thoroughly prepared can also help you secure financing while working with a lender.

If you’re wondering how long it takes to build a new home that’s totally custom, Matt Bryant gave us the inside scoop. He informed us that a custom-built home of around 3000 square feet would cost approximately $350 per square foot. This price will depend on whether the lot is flat or sloped, the type of soil, and the design and amenities that the homeowner chooses for the house. 

3. Hire an Experienced Architect and Contractor

Once you have your lot and budget settled, you should start speaking with architects and contractors in the area. Many general contractors will have their own internal architects, which can streamline the process. 

Browse the market and see what each building professional has to offer. Usually, a bidding process includes bids, interviews, and negotiations with contractors. The goal is to find experienced, knowledgeable professionals you trust the most to turn your vision into a reality. 

Are you interested in building your next home at The Vineyards at Stage Pass? Not sure where to look for a trusted architect or contractor in the area? We have you covered! Reach out to us, and we’d be happy to connect you with our highly experienced builders and architects. 

4. Create Your Dream Design

Stunning homes start with unique designs. Talk with your architect about what your goals are for your home, as well as any design specifications you’d like to see included. They’ll send over detailed drawings of floor plans for your review and approval. You must allow sufficient time and attention for this step, as it’s the foundation for the construction process.

Note: If someone is moving into a gated community, there is a high chance they’ll be subject to an Architectural or “Arch” Review. At this step you will want to be sure to reference your community’s Architectural review guidelines and submit all materials for review. This process can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks.

If you don’t know where to begin to find design inspiration, look to your building professionals for guidance. After all, they are professionals, and this is their passion. You can also look at our model home on Lot One here at The Vineyards at Stage Pass. It includes awe-worthy amenities and features, including a covered deck with a built-in Wolf grill, European white oak wide-plank hardwood floors, top-of-the-line Sub-Zero kitchen appliances, and plenty of natural light and beautiful vineyard views. 

lot 5 interior

The General Process of Building a New Home

Once you’ve completed the pre-construction requirements, you can start building your new home! Construction is divided into planning, site preparation, and building.

1. Planning 

After reviewing your architect’s blueprints, your contractor will start to develop a plan to secure building materials, schedule trades, and more. A good contractor will plan for every variable before beginning construction so they can stick as closely to the estimated timeline as possible. 

2. Site Preparation

During the site preparation, your lot is prepared for smooth and successful construction. Procedures include site clearing, surveying, soil testing, and site investigation. All these are done to ensure the ground is safe to build and live on. This can range between 1-3 months depending on your lot’s topography. 

3. Building

The exciting part is here – it’s time to build! Your dream home is about to come to life right before your eyes. 

As stated, building a house from scratch usually takes 12-14 months. Various factors can pop up and affect that, including the following:

  • The size of your home and the scope of the project – As you can imagine, the bigger and more complex your home design is, the longer it may take to build. 
  • Construction permits – Before starting any construction, you need to obtain relevant building permits, which can take some time to be approved by your municipal government agency. It can be a daunting task, so most homeowners leave the permit process to the builder. 
  • Shortages of supplies and subcontractors – Outside forces sometimes cause shortages or shipping delays for necessary supplies. In the same way, some necessary subcontractors may not have availability when needed. 
  • Weather – To ensure the safety of you and your builders, construction is often halted during extreme weather conditions. Luckily for us in Southern Oregon, our winters are mild and usually only offer an occasional dusting of snow. 
  • Changes in designs or finishes – If you’d like to change anything from your original design plans, switching directions and gathering materials may take additional time before achieving your desired result.

Are You Ready To Start Building Your Dream Home?

Now that you know how long it takes to build your home, it’s time to get the ball rolling! When you’re ready to start construction on your new home, consider building it in The Vineyards at Stage Pass!

With local vineyard charm and nearby city amenities, this community is a great home base for your next adventure. Plus, we have connections with fantastic local builders and financial institutions, making the process that much easier. 

To learn more about life at Stage Pass, reach out to our team today.