WHAT’S A “NORMAL” LENGTH FOR CONSTRUCTION LOANS THESE DAYS?
I get wanting to pad the timeline, but honestly, I think a lot of these delays come down to project management. I’ve done three builds in the last decade—never had one go over 14 months, even with custom features. The permit office can be a nightmare, sure, but if you’re on top of them and have a GC who knows the ropes, things move faster. Same with banks—if you’re not pushing for draws, they’ll drag it out.
Custom windows and finishes do slow things down, but I’d argue it’s more about how early you order and coordinate. I always lock in those details before breaking ground. Maybe I’m just lucky with my team, but I wouldn’t automatically add six months unless you know your area is notorious for red tape. Sometimes being too cautious just means paying more interest for no reason.
