To start, the home design has to be finalized. Some builders work with standard plans, and others build custom homes to your orders. In either case, any structural changes that are requested could take a few weeks to update. This time is critical to ensure that your home will be structurally sound while still meeting the needs of your lifestyle.
FACTORS THAT
MAY CAUSE A DELAY:
Your builder orders building materials just as you may order office
supplies or other equipment for your job. While the companies
that are supplying materials for your builder strive for timely
and quality service, sometimes an order may not arrive on time,
or may be incorrect or incomplete. This can potentially set the
project schedule back.
When trade contractor is early, or is able to complete work ahead of schedule, there may not appear to be any work completed for a time after he/she leaves the site. This is because the next trade has a prearranged time to work on your home, and may not be able to change schedules due to other projects. In this case, your home is still on track to be completed on time, and there is nothing to worry about.
If a trade contractor begins work later than planned, the builder has a lot more work to do to try and keep your home on schedule. Depending on the work being done, two separate trade contractors may not be able to work at the same time, which causes your builder to have to reschedule subsequent work schedules. Occasionally this means that your home loses its place in line for a specific trade. Your builder will work hard to keep the project on schedule by rearranging the plan to keep construction progressing.
To ensure that your home will be structurally sound and meet all code requirements, periodic inspections are required. Your builder will plan to complete inspections as soon as possible so that further work can continue, but the inspection schedule is in the hands of inspecting officials in the county or municipality where you live. If there are a lot of construction projects being completed in the area, it may take the inspector a couple of days before he/she can inspect your home.
Changing your mind may cause significant setbacks in the schedule. If you change your mind on products, design or materials, your builder will have to produce change-orders and acquire the needed materials/products before construction can continue. Ask about hte delay factor before you change your mind.