I hear you on the buffer time—having that cushion has saved me more than once, especially when it comes to finishes and fixtures. From what I’ve seen lately, most construction loans are still in the 12-18 month range, but banks seem a bit more flexible if you can show a solid plan and clear communication. I’ve had projects where we needed an extra couple months because tile from Italy got stuck in customs, and as long as we kept the lender in the loop with documentation, they were willing to work with us.
I do think it’s gotten trickier, though. Even with the best planning, there’s always something that pops up—like a backordered faucet or a surprise inspection delay. I try to flag those risks early with clients and build in some extra time for the interior install phase, since that’s where things can really bottleneck if you’re not careful.
One thing that’s helped is looping in the GC and subs early about lead times for specialty items. If everyone’s on the same page, it’s easier to shuffle the schedule around when something inevitably gets delayed. Not a perfect system, but it beats scrambling at the last minute.
Curious if anyone else has noticed lenders asking for more detailed schedules or contingency plans lately? I’ve had a couple ask for breakdowns on finish timelines, which never used to happen. Maybe it’s just my area, but it feels like everyone’s a little more cautious now.
WHAT’S A “NORMAL” LENGTH FOR CONSTRUCTION LOANS THESE DAYS?
Funny you mention the lenders getting picky about schedules—mine wanted a color-coded Gantt chart for the finish phase, which felt a little over the top. I mean, I get it, but does anyone’s project ever go exactly as planned? Last year, my “three-month” kitchen reno turned into six because the custom cabinets decided to take a vacation in transit. I swear, if one more thing gets “delayed at port,” I’m going to start building furniture out of cardboard.
I’ve noticed banks here are definitely more cautious, especially after that wild supply chain ride we all went through. They asked for a contingency plan for every single specialty item—down to the light fixtures. Is this just a new normal? Or are we all just paying for the sins of 2021?
Curious if anyone’s actually managed to finish on time lately. Or is that just a construction unicorn?
WHAT’S A “NORMAL” LENGTH FOR CONSTRUCTION LOANS THESE DAYS?
You’re definitely not alone—color-coded Gantt charts are basically my life now, whether the client or lender asks for them or not. It’s wild how much more granular everyone wants the details, right down to the hardware. I’ve had to build backup plans for things like tile trim, which felt a little much at first, but honestly, it’s saved me when shipments got stuck. Timelines are just rough sketches these days... I haven’t seen a project finish exactly on schedule since 2019, but having those contingency plans does make it less stressful when things slide. Hang in there—adaptability is the new normal.
