Even when I had every finish picked out and ready to go, it didn’t matter—if the paperwork wasn’t moving, neither was the loan.
That’s the part that always gets me. You can have the most stunning tile imported from Italy sitting in a warehouse, but if the city inspector’s on vacation or the lender’s dragging their feet, you’re just stuck. In my experience, “normal” for construction loans seems to be 12–18 months, but honestly, that feels optimistic with how things are right now. Permits and inspections can eat up so much of that time, and banks rarely care about your timeline.
I do wonder why lenders can’t be a little more flexible—especially for high-end projects where delays are almost inevitable. It’s like they expect everything to go perfectly, which never happens in real life. Still, you’re not wrong to feel frustrated. The system isn’t exactly designed for those of us who want things done right (and beautifully). Just remember, you’re not alone in this mess. If it helps at all, I’ve seen even the most seasoned builders get tripped up by red tape. Sometimes patience is the only tool left in the box.
I get the frustration, but I’m not sure more lender “flexibility” would actually help. If anything, I’ve seen looser oversight lead to even more chaos—especially when projects start running over budget. Sometimes those strict timelines are the only thing keeping everyone honest, even if it’s a pain. The real issue, in my view, is the disconnect between city processes and lender expectations. Until those two get on the same page, we’re all just stuck juggling delays.
WHAT’S A “NORMAL” LENGTH FOR CONSTRUCTION LOANS THESE DAYS?
That’s a fair point about timelines keeping everyone accountable. I’ve had a couple projects where the lender was too relaxed, and honestly, things dragged on forever—subs lost motivation, costs crept up, and it turned into a mess. On the flip side, when the city drags its feet with permits or inspections, even the tightest loan schedule won’t save you. It’s always that weird dance between paperwork and progress... I hear you on the disconnect. It’s tough to plan when two sides aren’t talking to each other.
WHAT’S A “NORMAL” LENGTH FOR CONSTRUCTION LOANS THESE DAYS?
Honestly, I’m seeing most construction loans land around 12 to 18 months lately, but it really depends on the project scale and local permitting speed. If you’re in a city with slow inspections, even 18 months can feel tight. I’ve had one project where we had to ask for a three-month extension just because the city’s review process stalled out... frustrating, but not uncommon. Having a realistic timeline baked into your loan agreement helps, but there’s always that unpredictability with permits and weather.
WHAT’S A “NORMAL” LENGTH FOR CONSTRUCTION LOANS THESE DAYS?
I hear you on the unpredictability, but honestly, I think 12 months is still doable for a lot of single-family builds if you’re organized and the weather cooperates. I’ve managed to wrap up two houses in under a year, even with a couple of minor permit hiccups. I know bigger projects or trickier lots can drag things out, but sometimes I feel like lenders push for longer terms just to pad their interest. If you keep your trades lined up and materials ordered early, you can save yourself a ton of stress.
