Title: What’s a “normal” length for construction loans these days?
Had to laugh at the “organized” part—my color-coded spreadsheets never stood a chance against backordered windows. On my last project, the lender didn’t even blink when we needed an extension past 18 months. Maybe they’re just used to it now? Feels like everyone’s quietly accepted delays as the new normal... not that my budget likes it.
You nailed it—those color-coded spreadsheets are great until reality hits. I’ve had projects where 12 months was the “norm,” but lately, 18-24 months seems to be what lenders expect, especially for custom builds. It’s frustrating, but honestly, I’d rather take the extension than rush finishes or settle for whatever’s in stock. Quality takes time, even if the budget groans a bit. Hang in there... the end result is always worth it.
WHAT LENDERS ARE LOOKING FOR NOW
- You’re spot on about the shift. Used to be you could get a 12-month loan and actually finish in that window, but now? 18-24 months is pretty much what I see too, especially if there’s any custom work or unique site conditions.
- Lenders have gotten a lot more conservative after the last couple years. They’re building in buffers for delays—supply chain, labor, weather, you name it.
- I’ve had a few clients push back on the longer terms, but honestly, I’d rather manage expectations up front than scramble at the end. Nothing worse than having to rush punch lists or accept second-choice materials just to hit a deadline.
- One tip: If you can, negotiate a little extra contingency into your draw schedule. Makes life easier when something inevitably takes longer than planned.
- I get the frustration with the budget stretching out, but you’re right—cutting corners never pays off. The folks who wait it out always end up happier with the final product.
It’s a different world than it was five years ago, but the quality at the end is what matters.
I get the frustration with the budget stretching out, but you’re right—cutting corners never pays off. The folks who wait it out always end up happier with the final product.
Yeah, I totally agree with this. Rushing just leads to regrets later, especially if you’re trying to do anything energy-efficient or sustainable. I’ve seen projects where people tried to squeeze in a green roof or triple-pane windows at the last minute and it just... didn’t work out because of time crunches.
Curious if anyone’s noticed lenders being more open to “green” upgrades these days? Like, are they giving any leeway on timelines or budgets for stuff like solar panels or high-performance insulation? Sometimes it feels like those things get lumped in as “extras,” but honestly, they’re pretty essential if you care about long-term value (and lower bills).
Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather take an extra couple months and do it right than have to retrofit later. Anyone else run into pushback from lenders when you try to go above code?
Title: Normal Construction Loan Timelines and Green Upgrades
You’re definitely not alone in wanting to take your time, especially when it comes to energy efficiency upgrades. I’ve actually been through this a couple times now—one project where we tried to fast-track everything, and another where we built in extra time for “above code” stuff like better insulation and heat pumps. The difference was night and day.
In my experience, lenders have gotten a little more open to green features, but only if you make your case early on. Here’s what worked for me (and what didn’t):
1. **Line up your priorities at the start.** If you want solar or triple-pane windows, get those into the plans before you even go to the bank. The minute they see “add-ons” late in the game, they start getting nervous about budgets and delays.
2. **Bring receipts—literally.** I pulled together some cost/benefit info showing how much lower utility bills would be with the upgrades. Some lenders were more receptive when I could show there was a real payback period.
3. **Be ready for pushback on timelines.** Even when they liked the idea of green features, most lenders still wanted that 12- or 18-month timeline for construction loans. If you need more time, ask up front—sometimes they’ll tack on a few months if you can show it’s for something substantial, but it’s rarely automatic.
4. **Don’t count on incentives from the lender itself.** I got some state rebates and a little help from my utility company, but the bank mostly just wanted to know that everything was code-compliant and wouldn’t blow the budget.
Honestly, I think you’re right to stick to your guns and avoid shortcuts. Trying to retrofit later is usually way more expensive (and annoying). The second time around, I just padded my timeline from the beginning—even if it meant paying interest a little longer—and it saved so many headaches.
It’s frustrating that these upgrades are still seen as “extras,” but if you can make your case early and document everything, sometimes you can get a little leeway... just don’t expect miracles from the bank side yet. Maybe that’ll change as more people push for higher standards. For now, slow and steady really does win out—at least if you want something that lasts and saves money down the line.
