How long does it really take to build a house?
A stage-by-stage programme for a G+1 house in Jaipur, and the three things that actually cause delay.
Priya Nathani
Project Manager
A 2,500 sq ft G+1 house, turnkey semi-furnished, runs about 38 weeks from agreement to keys. Here is where that time goes.
| Stage | Duration |
| Design, approvals and BOQ | 5–6 weeks |
| Foundation and plinth | 4–5 weeks |
| Structure and slabs | 10–11 weeks |
| Masonry and plaster | 6 weeks |
| MEPF and waterproofing | 4–5 weeks (overlapping) |
| Flooring, painting, fittings | 7 weeks |
| Snagging and handover | 1–2 weeks |
The three real causes of delay
1. Decisions, not construction. Tile selection, sanitary ware, paint shades. Every week a decision sits open is a week the relevant trade cannot start. We front-load these deliberately.
2. Payment timing. Material orders are placed against milestone payments. A payment released a week late moves the whole downstream chain.
3. Scope changes after casting. Moving a wall on paper is free. Moving it after the slab is cast costs three weeks and real money.
Weather, contrary to reputation, is rarely the cause. Monsoon slows external finishing, but the programme already accounts for it.
