WHAT’S A “NORMAL” LENGTH FOR CONSTRUCTION LOANS THESE DAYS?
Yeah, totally agree on padding the timeline. I’ve noticed most lenders around here default to 12 months, but honestly, with all the supply chain hiccups lately, I’d push for 18 if you can swing it. Had a buddy get burned by a six-week window for cabinets—never again. If you lay out your milestones and factor in weather delays or inspection gaps, lenders seem more flexible. Just don’t underestimate how long punch lists take... those little fixes always drag out.
I hear you on the punch lists—those things are sneaky. Around here, 12 months is standard too, but I’ve seen projects drag way past that, especially if you hit a snag with permits or weather. Honestly, I’d rather pay a bit more for an 18-month loan than stress about running out of time. Every time I think I’ve padded the schedule enough, something else pops up... drywall delays, missing hardware, whatever. Just seems safer to build in that buffer.
