I’ve had a few lenders still pushing for 12-month terms, which just seems unrealistic now.
Right? Twelve months feels like wishful thinking with how things drag out these days. I actually tried to negotiate for 18 months up front, but my lender wouldn’t budge—ended up paying extra for a three-month extension when the tile order got delayed. Has anyone found a bank that’s more flexible if you’re upfront about wanting a longer timeline, or is it just luck of the draw?
What’s a “normal” length for construction loans these days?
Twelve months is definitely tight, especially with current supply chain unpredictability. I’ve seen projects stall over something as minor as a missing window or delayed inspection. In my experience, some regional banks are a bit more open to 15-18 month terms if you can show a detailed schedule and contingency plan, but it’s not consistent. National lenders seem to stick to their templates regardless of project specifics. It’s frustrating—sometimes feels like they’re not factoring in real-world delays at all.
Twelve months is definitely tight, especially with current supply chain unpredictability.
Totally agree—twelve months feels like wishful thinking these days. I’ve had projects where a single missing HVAC part pushed us back by weeks. Lately, I’m seeing more lenders willing to go 15-18 months if you can show you’ve thought through the “what-ifs,” but it’s still a roll of the dice. Honestly, I wish more banks would factor in things like weather delays and permit holdups... it’s not like those are rare.
I hear you on the weather delays—sometimes it feels like the forecast has more control over the schedule than we do. When you’re planning timelines, do you build in buffer time for things like inspections dragging out, or do you just hope for the best?
I always try to build in some buffer, especially for inspections and permitting—those are almost never as quick as you’d hope. Weather’s unpredictable, but at least you can look at seasonal trends. Inspections, though, can get held up for reasons you’d never expect. Out of curiosity, do you find lenders are flexible if delays push you past the original loan term, or is that a headache every time?
