How Long Does It Take To Complete a House After Framing?

Giovanni Valle is a licensed architect and LEED-accredited professional and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He is the author and managing editor of various digital publications, including BuilderSpace, Your Own Architect, and Interiors Place.

Framing is integral to home building, as it’s the foundation for all the other steps. Once the framing is complete, your house will be ready for other projects and final touches. But how long does it take to complete a home after framing?

It takes approximately six months to complete a house after framing. However, this timeline can vary greatly depending on various factors. For example, the house size can significantly impact how long it takes to complete a project.

This article outlines the timeline for building a new home — including the pre-construction phase, the framing stage, and the finishing touches.

The Timeline for Building a New Home

From start to finish, it typically takes around six to eight months (according to 2021 data from the US Census Bureau) before all components are finished and the house can be occupied.

During this time, different tasks will be completed, such as:

getting the building permits
excavating
framing the structure
installing walls, flooring, siding, roofing, and other fixtures
finishing off interior features like plumbing and electrical

It’s important to note that these may take longer depending on how large the house is or whether the homeowners requested additional custom features.

Below is a breakdown of the critical stages of building a new home.

The Pre-Construction Phase

The pre-construction phase is the first step in building a new home. Obtaining permits and ensuring all the paperwork is squared away is necessary. These tasks can start well ahead of any construction activities.

Once documents are approved, homeowners can begin their search for the best contractor for the job, hammering out budgets, layout, and design down to the most minor details. Because this phase can take anywhere from two to 12 weeks, you must be as efficient as possible.

Although the pre-construction phase can be tedious, it lays the groundwork for the success or failure of your project. It’s also important to double-check with the local authorities (and professionals) to ensure that your planned residence is as compliant with the law as possible. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting thousands of dollars preparing your home for additions that are unnecessary at best and illegal at worst.

Once the preliminary steps are completed, it’s time to begin the construction of your home.

Frame and Build Stage

At the frame and build stage, the structural components of your home are put into place. This can include columns, beams, walls, and other elements that form the house’s structure.

This stage typically has a timeline between five to eight weeks. The actual time may be longer or shorter depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the project.

During this stage, you can also expect things like:

laying of wires
installation of roofing sheets
fitting of windows

Once the frame and build are complete, it’s time for those all-important finishing touches.

Finishing Touches

For most homeowners, the finishing touches are the most exciting part of homebuilding. After all the planning and developing (and white-knuckled trips to Home Depot for materials) are done, you might think a house is “complete.”

However, things like carpeting/flooring, painting interior walls and putting up light fixtures and faucets make a home feel like home. Additional details like a show-stopping chandelier or mesmerizing tile floor design bring a house to life. Installing these can take as long as eight weeks to complete. Owners can move into their homes before this phase is finished, though.

Here’s what the finishing touches will entail:

Flooring and Carpeting

The installation of flooring and carpeting is an integral part of the construction, usually done after a house’s framing.

The time it takes for the installation depends on many factors, such as the size of the area that needs covering, the type and difficulty of the material being installed, and the speed with which laborers can work. For example, installing hardwood flooring in an average-sized room can take anywhere from one to three days.

Carpeting is another crucial aspect of flooring installation. Having the perfect surface on which your lovely furniture can be placed is well worth it.

Installing carpets in smaller areas can take a few hours. In large areas, it can take up to a day.

Electrical Work

Electrical work is essential for any home-building project and should only be overseen by a professional electrician.

The electrician must assess the wiring and ensure they comply with all necessary codes and regulations while prioritizing safety. Depending on the electrical system’s complexity, a qualified technician typically takes three to 10 days to complete the job.

This means considering all requirements, such as:

proper grounding
power outlets
lighting needs

Painting and Other Fixtures

When a house is framed, painting and fixtures can be added to the interior. Those who prefer DIY projects may tackle this task independently.

Painting is often the first step in this part of the home-building process. Depending on the size of the area, painting can take anywhere from three to four days. This task could take longer if the walls need extensive prep work, such as filling in holes and cracks.

Then comes the installation of light fixtures and faucets. They are the final touches that bring a house to life (or to “light,” if you will). The installation time for these is relatively quick, but it must be done with precision and care. At most, this process should take one day.

Of course, you may need to check in with a plumber to ensure that there won’t be any issues with your house’s drainage. It won’t do to have the loveliest house on the block only to have to deal with annoying yet avoidable issues like sewage smells, mold and mildew, etc.

Bottom Line

Building a house can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. It’s important to note that the timeline of each stage of construction and finishing touches depends primarily on the complexity of each project.

Knowing the approximate timeline can help homeowners plan and prepare for their move-in date. Good luck and happy house building!