Quick Overview
Building your first home and not sure what comes next? This timeline walks you through each major phase. It shows realistic time ranges and when costs appear. It tells who to involve and what permits matter. Prepare documents early. Choose contractors before site work. Budget 10–20% for contingencies.
Key Points:
- Plan permits and contractors early to avoid delays and extra costs.
- Provides realistic timelines so you can schedule and budget confidently.
- Expect major costs at foundation, framing, and finishes.
Quick Wins You Can Do Today
They reduce delays, clarify scope, and speed approvals—preventing costly rework and helping you budget and hire with confidence.
Collect existing site documents
Action: Gather site plans, deeds, surveys and reports into one labeled folder.
Benefit: Speeds permit reviews and design decisions.
Time Needed: 15-30 minutes (varies by document locations)
Create organized project folder
Action: Set up cloud folder with clear subfolders; invite architect, PM and contractors.
Benefit: Keeps everyone aligned and reduces email chaos.
Time Needed: 10-20 minutes (varies by internet/upload speed)
Capture comprehensive site photos
Action: Take labeled photos and short videos of each elevation, boundaries, access and constraints.
Benefit: Provides clear visual context for designers and builders.
Time Needed: 15-25 minutes (varies by site size)
Contact local permit office
Action: Call or email building department to request permit checklist, fee schedule and typical timelines.
Benefit: Avoid surprises and plan realistic permit buffers.
Time Needed: 10-15 minutes (varies by response times)
Request three contractor quotes
Action: Send consistent scope doc to three contractors asking for quotes and site-visit availability.
Benefit: Enables fair comparisons and faster shortlist decisions.
Time Needed: 15-30 minutes (varies by prep depth)
Set contingency budget percent
Action: Add 10-20% contingency line to your budget sheet and note rationale for future reference.
Benefit: Protects against cost overruns and aids approvals.
Time Needed: 10-20 minutes (varies by estimation accuracy)
Key Points:
- Total time: 75-140 minutes for all wins (varies by project size)
- Estimated savings: $100-350 or 2-4 hours contractor time
- This content is provided by House A-Z for general guidance only. Always consult with qualified professionals and verify compliance with local building codes and regulations before starting any construction or renovation work.
Project Timeline
A clear, phase-by-phase timeline to help first-time builders set realistic expectations, identify where major costs occur, and decide who to involve. Use this as a checklist: prepare documents early, select key contractors before construction, and budget a 10–20% contingency to avoid schedule and cost surprises.
Planning & Design
Duration: 2–8 weeks
What happens: define goals, create schematic plans, set budget ranges. Who to involve: architect/designer, builder (for budgeting), lender. Major costs: design fees, surveys. Tips: finalize key decisions (footprint, room count, major systems) early to avoid redesign; get rough contractor bids to test budget.
Dependencies: None
Permitting & Approvals
Duration: 4–12 weeks
What happens: submit plans to local authorities, obtain building permits, HOA approvals if applicable. Who to involve: permit expediter, architect, local planning office. Major costs: permit fees, plan revisions. Tips: start permit paperwork as soon as plans are stable; expect variable timelines — add contingency.
Dependencies: Planning & Design
Site Preparation & Foundation
Duration: 2–4 weeks
What happens: clear site, excavation, footings, foundation or slab. Who to involve: site contractor, geotechnical engineer. Major costs: excavation, foundation materials/labor. Tips: confirm utility access and drainage plans; unexpected site conditions are a common cost/schedule risk.
Dependencies: Permitting & Approvals
Framing & Exterior Shell
Duration: 3–6 weeks
What happens: structural framing, roof, windows, rough exterior (wrap, sheathing). Who to involve: framer, structural engineer. Major costs: lumber and labor. Tips: lock in framing contractor early; get weatherproofing in place quickly to protect interior work.
Dependencies: Site Preparation & Foundation
MEP Rough-ins (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)
Duration: 2–6 weeks (often overlapping with framing)
What happens: HVAC system placement, electrical circuits, plumbing lines installed within walls. Who to involve: HVAC tech, electrician, plumber. Major costs: major system equipment and skilled labor. Tips: coordinate sequencing so inspections can occur before walls are closed; verify locations of fixtures to avoid costly rework.
Dependencies: Framing & Exterior Shell
Interior Finishes & Exterior Work
Duration: 4–12 weeks
What happens: insulation, drywall, flooring, cabinetry, paint, exterior siding, driveways, landscaping. Who to involve: finish carpenters, painters, flooring installers, landscaper. Major costs: finishes, fixtures, cabinetry; this phase often has the biggest discretionary spend. Tips: choose finishes early, order long-lead items ahead of time, and keep a contingency for upgrades.
Dependencies: MEP Rough-ins
Final Inspections, Punch List & Handover
Duration: 1–3 weeks
What happens: final municipal inspections, correct punch-list items, obtain certificate of occupancy, walkthrough and handover. Who to involve: general contractor, inspectors, lender (for final draw). Major costs: final corrections, permit-related fees. Tips: do a thorough walkthrough with your builder and document issues; keep holdback arrangements for unresolved items.
Dependencies: Interior Finishes & Exterior Work
Total Duration: 6–9 months (typical for a standard single-family home; varies by size, complexity, and permit timelines)
Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
Everyone makes these. Short fixes to prevent delays, cost overruns, and headaches.
❌ Underestimating total project costs
Why It Happens: Optimism bias, missing allowances, or ignoring contingency needs
Solution: Build a 10–20% contingency, get multiple quotes, and track allowances in a budget
Impact: €5,000-50,000+ overrun; project delays 2-16+ weeks
❌ Skipping or delaying permit applications
Why It Happens: Assuming small jobs don’t need permits or underestimating approval time
Solution: Confirm permit needs early, submit complete documents, and include approval time in schedule
Impact: Project halt 1-12+ weeks; fines €500-10,000; rework €1,000-20,000
❌ Choosing the lowest bid without vetting
Why It Happens: Pressure to save money and focus on price over experience or scope
Solution: Check references, compare scopes line-by-line, verify insurance and licenses before hiring
Impact: Repair costs €1,000-40,000; delays 2-12+ weeks
❌ Selecting contractors too late
Why It Happens: Waiting for designs to finish or thinking hiring later saves time
Solution: Engage key trades early to confirm schedules, availability, and lead times
Impact: Scheduling gaps 2-16+ weeks; expedited fees €200-2,000
❌ Ignoring long material lead times
Why It Happens: Assuming materials are immediately available or not tracking supply chains
Solution: Order long-lead items early, confirm delivery dates, and build buffer into timeline
Impact: Delays 2-24+ weeks; rush shipping €100-3,000 extra
❌ Frequent mid-project design changes
Why It Happens: Indecision or making finish choices during construction
Solution: Finalize major decisions pre-construction and allocate allowances for minor finish choices
Impact: Change costs €500-30,000+; schedule slips 1-12+ weeks
❌ Poor site access or preparation
Why It Happens: Assuming site is ready; overlooking drainage, trees, or delivery access
Solution: Assess and prepare site early, arrange access routes and staging areas
Impact: Equipment delays 1-6+ weeks; extra site work €500-10,000
❌ Missing or failing inspections
Why It Happens: Poor documentation, bad timing, or attempting shortcuts
Solution: Schedule inspections in advance, keep records, and fix issues promptly
Impact: Rework 1-8+ weeks; fines €200-5,000
❌ Vague or missing written contracts
Why It Happens: Relying on verbal agreements or skipping legal review
Solution: Use clear contracts detailing scope, timelines, payments, and dispute resolution
Impact: Payment disputes weeks–months; legal fees €1,000-20,000
❌ Neglecting utility connection planning
Why It Happens: Assuming utilities are straightforward or overlooked in planning
Solution: Contact providers early, book connection dates, and budget connection fees
Impact: Utility delays 2-12+ weeks; connection costs €500-10,000
Key Points:
- Prevention is easier than fixing
- Get professional help when: costs exceed budget by >10%, contingency fund exhausted, contract disputes arise, structural integrity concerns, electrical/HVAC/plumbing issues, permit rejections. Who to involve: Licensed electrician, HVAC contractor, Plumber, Project manager for coordination, Quantity surveyor for cost overruns, Finance advisor for budget concerns, Legal counsel for contracts/disputes, Mediator for disputes, Structural engineer for safety concerns
- This content is provided by House A-Z for general guidance only. Always consult with qualified professionals and verify compliance with local building codes and regulations before starting any construction or renovation work
Your Action Checklist
Ready to manage your build? Follow these focused, achievable steps now.
- Gather permits, plans, and essential documents
- Hire key contractors early; check references
- Set contingency budget 10–20% and schedule buffers
Key Points:
- Time needed: MUST be a RANGE with caveat (e.g., '45-90 minutes; varies by room size and prep work') NOT a fixed value
- You've got this!
- This content is provided by House A-Z for general guidance only. Always consult with qualified professionals and verify compliance with local building codes and regulations before starting any construction or renovation work.
