Knowing how long it takes to construct a building depends on the scale, complexity, permits, and coordination of the work. Generally speaking, the pure construction phase of a medium-sized building usually takes between 18 and 36 months; if we add design, permits, and legalization, the entire cycle can take 3-4 years.
Overview: From Idea to Keys
Accurately answering how long it takes to construct a building requires considering the entire cycle: preliminary design and project design, licenses and other permits, hiring the construction company, physical execution, inspections, legalization procedures, and delivery. Some phases may overlap partially, but others have critical dependencies that determine the total time frame.
Stages of the process and their weight in the calendar
1) Design and technical project
It includes preliminary design, basic design, detailed design, and measurements. Depending on the complexity and the developer's decision-making, it can take between 3 and 9 months (or longer for unique projects).
2) Licenses and permits
Municipal processing, sector reports, and constraints (heritage, environment, access, occupation of public roads) add several months. In cities with high administrative burdens, this milestone can make a difference when estimating how long it takes to construct a building.
3) Site preparation and foundation
It includes fencing, waste management, earthworks, retaining structures, applied geotechnics, and foundations. It tends to concentrate meteorological risks and surprises in the terrain.
4) Structure and enclosures
Key milestone in the S-curve of the project. Pace determined by logistics, auxiliary equipment (cranes, scaffolding), and availability of teams.
5) Fixtures and fittings
They are carried out in a coordinated manner (electricity, plumbing, air conditioning, fire protection, ventilation), followed by flooring, carpentry, painting, and operational testing.
6) Inspections, legalization, and delivery
Includes final certifications, first occupancy license management, utility registration, and user and maintenance manuals.
Approximate duration ranges
As a guideline for Spain, the following ranges help to estimate how long it takes to construct a building:
| Project type | Duration of work (execution) | Total duration including design, permits, and legalization |
|---|---|---|
| Medium-sized residential building (6–10 stories) | 18–24 months | 24–36+ months |
| Small building (≤ 5 stories) | 12–18 months | 18–24 months |
| Complex/large-scale project | 24–36+ months | 36–48+ months |
These ranges are averages; each municipality and each plot of land may shift the figures.
Factors that accelerate or delay deadlines
Bureaucracy and administrative burdens: cities with more sectoral reports extend the response to how long it takes to construct a building.
Size and density: more plants and a larger surface area mean more concrete pouring cycles, more facilities, and more coordination.
Architectural and technical complexity: special geometries, unique facades, sustainability standards, or certifications add time.
Supply chain and labor: delays in materials or lack of qualified equipment cause downtime.
Climate and seasonality: rain, extreme heat, or strong winds affect earthworks, concrete pouring, and work at height.
Changes to projects in progress: modifications and rescheduling impact the critical path.
Access and urban logistics: time restrictions, limited storage, and public road occupancy permits.
Traditional construction vs. modular/industrialized construction
Industrialization can significantly reduce construction time by manufacturing elements in a workshop and assembling them on site. For those wondering how long it takes to construct a building using modular methods, it is reasonable to expect reductions of 20-40% in the execution phase, provided that the design is optimized for prefabrication and that administrative procedures do not become a bottleneck.
Sample schedule (practical example)
For an urban development of 30 homes:
Design and project: 4–6 months
Permits and licenses: 8–12 months
Construction period: 20–24 months
Legalization and delivery: 3–6 months
Estimated total: 35–48 months. With particularly agile management, the range could be compressed to 24–30 months, but this is not the norm.
How can you estimate your due date more accurately?
Define scope and qualities from the outset, and keep them stable.
Check local regulations (noise, road occupancy, schedules) and anticipate any restrictions.
Plan the critical path with the project management team and the construction company.
Secure the supply chain for critical items (structure, facades, carpentry).
Evaluate industrialized alternatives when the design allows it.
Reserve temporary mattress for unforeseen circumstances (weather, inspections, repairs).
Coordinates complementary licenses (connections, cranes, containers, road closures).
Common mistakes that cause delays
Bidding on a project with an incomplete or poorly defined design.
Do not align deadline expectations with the actual capacity of teams and suppliers.
Changing key specifications (facades, bathrooms, kitchens) in the middle of construction.
Poorly overlapping installations and finishes, generating rework.
Do not anticipate seasonal stoppages (vacations, weather) in the schedule.
Useful indicators for tracking progress
S curve (plan vs. actual) by chapter.
Control milestones: completion of foundations, 50% of structure, closure of facade, completion of mechanical systems, testing, and commissioning.
Productivity index by batch/plants and trade.
Plan for internal and municipal inspections with advance documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really possible to finish in less than 24 months?
Only in highly optimized scenarios: closed project, streamlined permits, repetitive design, good logistics, and often industrialization. Otherwise, the answer to how long it takes to construct a building rarely falls below 24 months for medium-sized developments.
Which part of the process is most uncertain?
Licenses and the supply chain. It is therefore advisable to prepare documentation rigorously and secure key suppliers.
Does the weather affect all chapters?
Not equally. Structure and earthworks are the most sensitive. Interior finishes suffer less, although they can be affected by damp or late deliveries.
Author
Cabana Team
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