We originally wrote this article way back in 2019, when no one had heard of COVID 19, global supply chains were humming along efficiently, and the Australian east coast was dealing with a long drought. Since then, the world has been turned upside down with lock downs, border closures, factory shut downs, and supply chain disruptions. El Nino arrived around the same time as COVID, drenching the Coffs Coast with months of intense rain. On top of all that, the Reserve Bank set rates to records lows and the state and federal governments poured money into the economy, so many Aussies decided that now would be a great time to renovate or build a new home. Those factors have all contributed to a significant increase in the timeframe for the construction of new housing in Australia. Interest rates are back up, and construction activity is starting to slow, but supply chains are still struggling, and finding good trades is as difficult as ever. Build times have started to improve, but it is still wise to allow a little longer than usual for construction of your new home.
Construction of a single level family home on a level block is likely to take 6-8months. Two storey homes take longer, with build times of 9-12 months common. Complex projects and homes on steep sites may take 12 months or more.
In addition to the construction period, obtaining development approval can take weeks. Bellingen Council in particular is very slow to approve new homes, with average DA processing times of five months or more.
Some projects may also require consultant reports prior to construction starting.
It is important to understand that construction time frames can be affected by a range of factors.
More complex houses usually take longer to build. Two storey homes, split level homes, and steep site projects require the same trades to return to site multiple times, and often require the services of additional sub-contractors and materials. These extra steps in the process require more time. Extra time may also be needed to craft custom details or finishes.
Homes with integral retaining walls also need a little longer to build, because the retaining walls need time to cure and gain strength.
Weather delays are just part of new home construction on the Coffs Coast, where we receive about 1700mm of rain each year. Rain and storms can significantly delay construction on a new home, particularly in the early stages of a project. Rain can make building sites inaccessible for days, and storms may be a hazard for workers. Your builder may not be back on site as soon as it stops raining. Depending on how much rain fell and the stage of the project, the site may need some time to dry out before construction can recommence safely. You can read more details about how rain affects construction projects in our blog post.
Builders need holidays too! In most parts of Australia, the residential construction industry shuts down for two or three weeks around Christmas and New Year. During this time, builders, sub-contractors, and suppliers all close or operate with a minimal staff. It’s unlikely any work will happen on your project during this period.
Sometimes the trades needed for the next step in a project aren’t immediately available. At Balance Design and Construction, we only work with proven, experienced trades and sub-contractors. We think it’s worth waiting a day or two if necessary to get the best quality workmanship on our projects. With the significant increase in demand due to COVID, Australia is struggling with a shortage of qualified tradesmen.
New home construction time frames depend on a range of factors. If you have a question about build times, or you want the team at Balance Design and Construction to take a look at the plans for your new home, give us a call, or click here.
The team at Balance provides expert assistance at every stage of the residential construction process, from initial feasibility analyses to final touch-ups. Our in-house design team has produced a portfolio of exceptional new home designs, and we also offer custom design services using state-of-the-art design software (including 3D renderings you can view on your smartphone or VR glasses!).
We have solutions for steep sites, beachfront lots, and unusually-shaped blocks. We take care of Council paperwork and approvals, and provide professional interior design advice to ensure your home is stylish and practical.
Seeking a construction partner for your next investment project? Balance are the Coffs Coast experts in townhouse and boutique developments, with multiple successful projects delivered over recent years, producing excellent returns for our clients.
We offer a unique service to investors, with our ability to handle every stage of your development, from early concept plans through to completion. We provide excellent value, and can even put you in touch with quality local real estate agents to help sell or rent your new development.
We also offer turnkey development solutions so investors can start earning a return sooner with less hassle.
Unfortunately, the big builders have convinced new home buyers that the only way to afford a new home is to settle for one of their standard plans or pre-arranged house and land packages. But why settle for a home designed for someone else?
A home designed to meet your specific needs may be much more affordable than you realise! At Balance, our pricing is transparent and we’ll happily tailor our designs to meet your budget and the family’s needs.
You’ve got nothing to lose – visit our display home, or give us a call today on 1300 056 298 to arrange a free consultation.