What to Do During the (Potentially) Long Wait on Your New Home Build

Since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the U.S. in early 2020, it seems that nothing has been quite the same. One of the hardest hit areas of the economy is new home construction, due in large part to the delays – and substantial price increases – on the receipt of materials.

A 2021 survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that more than 90% of builders reported shortages of appliances, 87% reported a shortage of doors and windows, and 50% were waiting longer for lighting and other types of fixtures.

In some areas, the shortage of construction materials has forced builders to turn to substitutes and alternative suppliers – especially as they move to meet the heightened demand for new housing.

For example, either replacements and/or new sources for items like pipes, ceiling joists, and wood paneling may increase the cost of projects, but in many cases going this route is still more preferable than waiting for months on end to complete a home build.

While waiting on a new home to be completed, there are some items you can focus on that could help to speed up the process, though, such as:

  • Choosing alternative appliances for areas like the kitchen and laundry room (and possibly replacing them when your preferred options become more readily available again)
  • Considering a different or lower grade of window (also knowing that these could be replaced in the not-so-distant future)
  • Working with the builder on various design changes that could allow for a faster completion

If you’re planning to build a new custom home in Orlando or the surrounding Central Florida area, give us a call and we can discuss the options that you have for getting your project completed, as well as your price considerations, so that you can move forward with enjoying your new dream home.