Thinking about building a new home in Concord or elsewhere in Cabarrus County and wondering how long it actually takes? You want a clear plan, realistic dates, and fewer surprises. In this guide, you’ll learn the typical timeline from lot selection to move-in, how county inspections fit in, what local builders do, and the most common causes of delay with simple ways to avoid them. Let’s dive in.
New build timing at a glance
For most buyers in the Concord and Cabarrus County area, the full journey from lot acquisition and contract to keys in hand typically spans 6 to 12 months. On-site construction time varies by builder type and plan complexity:
- Production or spec homes on prepared lots: commonly 4 to 8 months for on-site work. Many builders advertise 4 to 6 months, but real timelines often land in the 5 to 8 month range.
- Semi-custom or custom homes: usually 8 to 14+ months, depending on design, selections, and lot conditions.
These are planning ranges, not guarantees. Your final timeline depends on builder processes, permitting, weather, site conditions, your selection timing, and material or subcontractor availability.
Key factors that affect timing
- Builder type and process predictability.
- Permit review speed and any required engineering.
- Lot conditions such as grading needs, rock, drainage, or septic design.
- Your decision speed on options, upgrades, and change orders.
- Supply chain and trade availability for framing, HVAC, electrical, and finish work.
- Weather, especially heavy rain or storms that slow exterior work.
Step-by-step Concord timeline
Below is a realistic sequence you can expect in Cabarrus County. Stages can overlap and durations are ranges.
Pre-construction: lot and contract (1–6+ weeks)
- What happens: you select a lot, sign a purchase contract, submit earnest money, complete design center selections, and secure financing approval. Production builders often set tight selection windows.
- Your to-dos: complete design selections within the builder’s deadline, commonly 10 to 30 days after contract, and provide deposit and loan documents on time.
Permitting and site prep (2–6 weeks, or longer if engineered)
- What happens: the builder submits plans to the appropriate jurisdiction. Reviews may involve Cabarrus County and, if inside city limits, the City of Concord or the Town of Harrisburg. Site clearing, erosion control, grading, and temporary utilities follow.
- Inspections: erosion and sedimentation control checks are common before major site work moves forward.
- Watchouts: engineered soils reports, stormwater controls, or septic design can add several weeks.
Foundation: footings and walls/slab (1–3 weeks)
- What happens: footing excavation, footing inspection, pour and cure concrete, waterproofing, and backfill.
- Inspections: footing inspection before pour, foundation inspection before backfill, and potential waterproofing checks.
Framing: structure installed (2–6 weeks)
- What happens: walls, floors, roof framing, sheathing, windows, and exterior doors.
- Inspections: framing and structural inspections. Some items overlap with mechanical rough-ins.
Rough-ins: plumbing, electrical, HVAC (1–3 weeks)
- What happens: rough plumbing, electrical wiring, HVAC ductwork, and gas lines.
- Inspections: rough plumbing, rough electrical, and rough mechanical/HVAC must pass before insulation.
Insulation and exterior finishes (1–4 weeks)
- What happens: insulation and vapor barrier, plus exterior siding or brick and roofing progress.
- Inspections: insulation inspection must pass before drywall.
Interior finishes to trim (4–8+ weeks)
- What happens: drywall, paint, cabinets, countertops, tile, flooring, trim, and interior fixtures.
- Inspections: some trades, like gas appliance hookup or certain electrical items, may have separate checks.
Final hookups, yard, and punch list (1–3 weeks)
- What happens: final plumbing fixtures, electrical devices, HVAC balancing, exterior grading, driveway/sidewalks, and landscaping as required by plan or HOA.
- Timing caveat: utility company connections or HOA landscaping standards can extend this stage.
Final inspections, C/O, and closing (1–3 weeks)
- What happens: final building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections. After all pass, the county issues the Certificate of Occupancy (C/O). Lenders often require a C/O to fund.
- Important: legal occupancy usually requires a C/O. Temporary occupancy is limited and must be explicitly approved.
Cabarrus inspections and permits
Cabarrus County follows North Carolina’s residential inspection sequence. Common inspection checkpoints include:
- Erosion control and sedimentation.
- Footings and footing excavation.
- Foundation wall or concrete slab.
- Framing and structural components.
- Rough plumbing, rough electrical, and rough mechanical/HVAC.
- Insulation.
- Final building, final plumbing, final electrical, and final mechanical.
Jurisdiction matters. Some properties sit in the City of Concord or Town of Harrisburg and may need parallel municipal approvals. Builders typically schedule inspections online and must submit requests in advance. Permit turnaround varies with seasonal workload. Production builders often rely on pre-approved plan sets that can shorten review. Custom plans usually require a full review and additional time.
Builder types and expectations
Production builders
These builders offer standardized plans, model homes, and centralized design centers. They often promote 4 to 6 month build windows for build-to-order homes, but real-world results commonly run 5 to 9 months on site. You’ll likely have tight selection windows and a defined process. Many subdivisions release lots in phases and may charge lot premiums.
Semi-custom and custom builders
If you want plan modifications or a fully customized design, expect longer timelines. Semi-custom often spans 7 to 12 months, and custom builds can be 9 to 18+ months depending on complexity. When you bring your own lot, added surveys and engineering can extend the schedule.
Warranties and service
A common market practice is the 1–2–10 warranty structure: 1 year for workmanship and materials, 2 years for major systems, and 10 years for structural elements. Get the exact warranty terms and the claims process in writing.
Walk-throughs and punch lists
Most builders schedule a pre-final walk-through to create a punch list, followed by a final walk-through near closing. Punch items are typically addressed before the C/O or final closing is complete, but confirm your builder’s process and timing.
Delays and how to avoid them
Typical causes of delay include permit review backlogs, design revisions, weather, material shortages, trade scheduling, buyer change orders, and site surprises like rock or unsuitable soils. You can lower risk with a few simple habits:
- Get lender pre-approval early and know builder finance deadlines.
- Make all structural and design selections within the builder’s timelines.
- Ask for a written build schedule with milestone dates and rules for change orders.
- Confirm who pulls permits and pays fees. Request copies of permits and inspection logs.
- Understand the warranty program and the punch list timeline in writing.
- Track inspection scheduling and progress updates with your builder team.
- Plan a move-in window instead of a single date to reduce stress if delays occur.
Buyer checklist and milestones
Use this checklist to stay proactive and organized:
- Before contract: confirm lot jurisdiction, HOA rules, lot premiums, and utility availability.
- At contract: note selection deadlines, earnest money or deposit schedules, and any default timeline or remedies in your agreement.
- During construction: request regular updates and a milestone schedule for permits, foundation, framing, rough-ins, insulation, drywall, and final inspection.
- Pre-final and final walk-through: secure a written punch list and timelines to complete items. Confirm that C/O issuance is pending.
- At closing: verify the C/O is issued or understand any temporary occupancy arrangement. Review the final closing statement, warranty documents, and confirm key and remote delivery.
- After move-in: register your warranty and document any defects with dates and photos.
Sample timelines by build type
These examples show how real builds can play out in Concord and greater Cabarrus County:
-
Production home on a prepared lot
- Pre-construction and permitting: 3 to 8 weeks
- On-site build: 5 to 8 months
- Final inspections, C/O, and closing: 1 to 3 weeks
- Total range: about 6 to 10 months
-
Semi-custom on a non-standard lot
- Design and approvals with engineering: 6 to 10+ weeks
- On-site build: 7 to 12 months
- Final inspections, C/O, and closing: 1 to 3 weeks
- Total range: about 9 to 14+ months
Your specifics can be faster or slower based on selections, plan changes, and site conditions.
Ready to build in Concord?
If you want a predictable path and a local team to keep you informed at every step, we’re here to help. From lot selection and design timelines to inspection checkpoints and punch list strategies, our team will guide you with clear expectations and proactive communication. Have questions about a community, builder process, or how to time your move? Reach out to The Sears Group for a friendly, no-pressure consult.
FAQs
How long from contract to construction start in Cabarrus County?
- Often 2 to 8 weeks if plans are pre-approved and permitting is straightforward. It can take longer if the lot needs engineering, utilities, or municipal approvals.
Do I need a Certificate of Occupancy to move in?
- Yes, legal occupancy typically requires the county to issue a Certificate of Occupancy. Many lenders also require a C/O before final loan funding.
Which inspections happen during a new build in Concord?
- Expect footing, foundation, framing, rough plumbing, rough electrical, rough mechanical/HVAC, insulation, and final inspections across building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical.
Can I see inspection results during construction?
- County inspection records are generally accessible. Ask your builder for copies of passed inspection reports and the final C/O for your records.
What warranty is typical with new homes in Cabarrus County?
- Many builders follow a 1–2–10 warranty structure. Always request the exact warranty coverage and claims process in writing from your builder.
