Building a new home is so exciting and the more you know, the more you can sit back and enjoy (rather than stress that something is not done on time). We created this timeline and infographic to show you roughly when things are ordered and then installed to help that. Note, these are rough times and not set in stone.
There are a lot of other processes that went on prior to actually start building your home. The land purchase was probably done 2 – 3 years prior, the development at least 1 year ago and the building permit one to two months before grading. So this is mainly from grading on.
This is an infographic based on the average time to build a 3,000sf or smaller home of about 120 to 150 days (larger homes and basements take even longer). This timeline has been fairly on point for at least the last 5 years here. Weather, government regulations and how many subcontractors are available can shift this time frame significantly. The winter months here in Georgia tend to have a few weeks of freezing weather and the occasional snow storm, then the spring has some rainy weeks that can wreak havoc on this timeline.
Below the graphic is a more detailed itemized timeline.
Here is a more detailed construction timeline from grading on for average home of up to 3,000 sf.
Since each county has different requirements before you can start grading, this starts after grading is complete. Some counties issue building permits in one month, some take two or more and grading takes about 1 to 2 weeks.
A basement will take longer by about one to two months and a larger home will take much longer, too.
This is an ESTIMATE and this is if all goes perfectly, realistically we can add one to two weeks to allow for weather delays.
Too much rain and too low temperatures will make certain stages impossible to do and most steps cannot be skipped…(i.e. you cannot install a backsplash if the granite isn’t in and you can’t install carpet if you have no driveway to get it safely into the house).
Days 1 – 22 – Foundation
Job Initiation Order (JIO) sent to superintendent
Order roof truss system
Footing/slab material
Temporary Electric
Footing install
Block material & pin footing
Block labor
Foundation survey & setbacks verified
Utility install
Plumbing in slab and safety grade
Plumbing inspection
Slab prep 1 inspection
Days 23 – 33
Rough framing
Order windows/doors exterior
Days 34 – 36
Framing continues
Roof material drop off
Sheating Housewrap inspection
Roofing labor
Dumpster drop off/pick up #1
Schedule gas line (if needed)
Windows/doors install exterior
Framing punch out #1
Days 37 – 39
Plumbing rough in
Fireplace rough in
Measure for cabinets
Measure for interior doors
Finish roofing
HVAC rough in
Install roofing pipe boots
Order brick/stone/siding delivery
Punch out list due
Days 40 – 53
Electrical rough in
Brick/stone material drop off
Media/security system rough
Fireplace inspection
Brick/stone labor
Low voltage inspection
HVAC rough in inspection
Framing punch out #2
Plumbing rough inspection
Electrical rough inspection
Inspections for brick/stone install
Framing inspection
Wall insulation install
Insulation inspection
Inspections for all custom features pre-drywall
Order drywall
Order siding
Days 54 – 61
Drywall material drop off
Drywall install
Roofing shingles install
Order exterior paint
Siding install
Gas line install
Electrical meter base install
Exterior paint
Trim material ordered
Gutters
Rough grade
Days 62 – 70
Trim labor
Fireplace mantle trim out
Dumpster #2
Concrete flatwork (driveway)
Deck install
Paint interior #1
Irrigation sleeves
Electric meter
Tile shower
Cabinet delivery
Cabinet install
Lighting delivery
Shower door measure
Ceiling insulation blow in
Drywall point up
Set columns
Days 71 – 74
Electrical trim out #1
Measure for granite
Install vinyl
Install LVP/EVP and tile
Install hardwoods
Water heater delivery
Shoemold install and stain/paint
HVAC trim out
Drywall point and sand
Days 75 – 79
Interior paint #2
Granite and sinks install
Appliances order
Garage door install
Gas meter inspection
Shutter in stall (if have any)
Tile backsplash install
Plumbing trim out (hook up water heater, hook up sinks)
Final grading
Gas meter install
Electrical trim out #2 (lighting installed)
Final plumbing inspection
Meda/alarm trim out
Trim accessories and shower door install
HVAC start up
Final electrical inspection
Final mechanical inspection
Landscaping
Railings install
Days 80 – 85
Carpet
Cabinet shoe mold and touch up
Sod install
First cleaning
Dumpster #3
Pressure wash exterior
Termite install
House numbers installed
Window screens (per community)
Final inspection
Days 86 – 96
Touch up clean #1
Quality control
Quality control trim labor
Quality control drywall touch up
Quality control paint touch up
Days 97 – 99
Appliances install
First walk through
Punch out done
Touch up clean #2
Final walk through
Day 100
Close
We hope you find this interesting and please remember this is the plan that can and will be changed to meet each home buyer’s and home’s unique circumstances.
Our team takes timing very seriously and wants to make each closing happen on time, because we understand how challenging timing a move can be. We are here to help, so if you have any questions, please as the onsite agent that is working with you.
