If you’re thinking about building a new home, one of the first questions that comes up is “How long is it actually going to take?”
The truth is: building a home isn’t instant… but it’s also not as long as most people think.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the stages and what to expect.
1. The Pre-Build Stage (2–12 Weeks)
Before anything happens on site, there’s a bit of paperwork and planning behind the scenes.
This stage includes:
- Selecting your floorplan and façade
- Choosing upgrades and colours
- Signing your building contract
- Getting finance approval
- Builder admin, drafting and permits
- Developer approval for your block (if required)
The timeline varies based on:
- How quickly you make your selections
- Whether the land is titled
- Your lender’s processing times
For organised buyers, this stage can move very quickly. If the land is titled and your file is clean, it can be as fast as 2–6 weeks. For others, it may take a little longer — and that’s completely normal.
2. The Construction Stage (Generally 6–12 Months)
Once the builder has permits and the green light from your bank, the fun part begins — your home starts taking shape.
Here’s an approximate timeline of each construction stage:
- Site Start: 1–2 weeks (site prep, fencing, earthworks)
- Slab/Base: 1–3 weeks
- Frame: 2–4 weeks
- Lock-Up: 4–8 weeks (bricks/external walls, roof, windows)
- Fixing Stage: 4–8 weeks (plaster, internal structure, cabinetry)
- Practical completion: 3–6 weeks (electrical, plumbing, painting, tiling, flooring)
Weather, material availability, and builder workflow can influence the timeline, but most first-home builds sit between 6–12 months, depending on the size of the home and the builder's schedule.
3. Final Inspections & Handover (1–2 Weeks)
Once construction is finished, things move fairly quickly.
Your builder will first invite you to a pre-handover inspection (or practical completion inspection). This is your chance to:
- Walk through your finished home
- Check the fixtures, fittings and finishes
- Note anything that needs touching up
- Make sure everything matches your contract and selections
The builder will then work through any agreed fixes or final quality checks.
After that, once your final payment has been made by the bank, handover is booked. This is when your keys are released and you officially take ownership of the home.
From pre-handover to keys in hand, this stage usually takes around 1–2 weeks, depending on your lender’s turnaround and how quickly any minor fixes are completed.
4. So… How Long Should You Expect in Total?
Here’s the simplest way to think about it:
- Pre-Build: 2–12 weeks
- Construction: 6–12 months
- Handover: 1–2 weeks
Most first-home buyers end up with a total build timeline of around 7–12 months from the time they sign their contract to the moment they get their keys.
And remember — part of our role at MWC is to guide you through every stage so you know what’s coming, what to expect next, and how to keep your build moving smoothly.
