Like many Australians, you’re probably buzzing at the thought of building a home to call your own. But making the right house to create memories in isn’t always easy — many factors affect the time it takes to build a house, and you should be aware of them. 

But don’t worry, the experts at Keir Constructions are here to help with this quick guide on how long it takes to build a new home (and how soon you can get to enjoying it!)

The Average Time it Takes to Build a New House

Here’s the short answer — a new house can take anywhere from 4 months to 16 months to be built. It’s probably not the answer you expected, but it’s the most common one you’ll get from most builders.

Why is this estimation so vague? Well, it’s tough to nail down how long the building will take because there are so many things that affect it. The recent pandemic — and subsequent economic decline — have only added more complications to the pile. 

The most recent reports from the HIA (Housing Industry Association) tell us that the average time to build a house is now significantly longer than it was before the pandemic. In 2019, it took eight months to build a house. But in 2023, the average build time is now over one year.

Factors Affecting the Timeline of Building a House

It can be hard to stay patient while your new home is being built, but it’s important to understand that there are various factors that can delay or speed up the process, including the following:

Size and complexity of the house 

Bigger or more complicated designs mean more time and work. Working on a multi-story home is often more complex than a single-story house, resulting in longer planning and construction phases. Sometimes, even a small house may require more time to build, like when it’s on a steep slope. 

Building permits and approvals

Unfortunately, you can’t just pick a block of land and start work on it immediately. Before construction can begin, you must have the requisite documents and attain approval from the state. This is typically handled by your builder on your behalf, but you should still take the processing time into account.   

Weather conditions and seasonal impacts

Bad weather conditions, such as rain or storms, can cause delays in the building timeline. Needless to say, working in these conditions is unsafe and putting construction on hold may be necessary to prevent accidents.

Availability of construction materials and labour

The supply of building materials is crucial to the smooth progress of any building project. Any interruption to their availability due to shortages or delivery disruptions will inevitably cause delays.

Similarly, having fewer workers on a project can slow down its progress. If building companies have multiple projects at once, their workforce will be split between them. 

Customisation and design changes

The more customised you want your home to be, the more effort it will require builders to understand and build it. Expect a longer timeline for your new house if you want it built exactly to your specifications.

If you decide to change the design of your home during the construction process, know that it will affect much more than the few changes that you’ve listed. Even a singular change could result in a domino effect.

Tips to Speed Up the Building Timeline 

Despite what we’ve mentioned above, there are some factors that still remain in your control. Here are some tips for getting into your dream house sooner: 

• Limit design changes: Once construction is underway, avoid interrupting the process with changes that may result in delays.
• Stick with builder designs: Choosing a home design that a builder is familiar with will simplify and shorten the building process.
• Consider a house and land package: These packages come with a plot of land and a home design already prepared for it, making the building process much quicker.