🕒 How Long Does It Take to Build a New Home?

 

Building a new home is an exciting journey — and one of the first questions we hear from clients is, “How long will it take?”

At McKee Homes, our process is built on craftsmanship, planning, and transparency. While every home and community is unique, most new builds take approximately 7 to 9 months once construction begins. Here’s what that looks like, step by step.

🏗️ Pre-Construction — Approximately 2 Months

Before we break ground, there’s important prep work that ensures your home build goes smoothly from start to finish.

During this stage, we:

• Finalize your home design and floor plan
• Complete all permit applications and approvals
• Order materials and schedule trade partners
• Conduct a soil bearing and alkali ground test
• Prepare your homesite for construction

Pro Tip: The pre-construction stage often takes the most patience — but getting everything right here saves time and stress later in the process.

🧱 Foundation — Approximately 3-4  Weeks

Once permits are approved and the site is ready, we begin work on your home’s foundation — the base of everything that follows.

This includes:

• Excavating the lot and preparing the gravel base
• Pouring footings and foundation walls (engineered for 20 MPa minimum strength)
• Applying DELTA M.S. damp proofing with a 20-year material warranty
• Backfilling and compacting soil
• Completing inspections to ensure structural integrity

Your McKee foundation is built for Alberta’s freeze-thaw cycles and designed for long-term durability.

🪵 Framing — Approximately 2 to 3 Weeks

This is when your home truly starts to take shape.

Our framing teams:

• Build all structural walls
• Install engineered floor systems and subfloors
• Set roof trusses, sheathing, and house wrap
• Fit doors and windows to lock up the structure

It’s one of the most exciting stages — you can finally walk through the framework of your future home.

⚙️ Rough-Ins — Approximately 2 to 3 Weeks

Here’s where we bring your home to life behind the walls:

• Plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems are installed
• Insulation and vapor barrier work are completed
• City and third-party inspections ensure full code compliance

Once rough-ins are approved, your home moves into the interior finishing phase.

🎨 Interior Finishes — Approximately 4-5 Weeks

Now the home begins to look and feel like your own.
Our finishing crews:

• Hang, tape, and paint drywall
• Install flooring, cabinets, and countertops
• Add trim, doors, and millwork
• Mount lighting and plumbing fixtures

This stage brings personality to your home — where all the design decisions come together.

🧰 Final Touch-Ups & Walkthrough — Approximately 2 Weeks

The last stage is about perfecting every detail before possession.
We:

• Conduct a detailed quality inspection
• Complete paint and finish touch-ups
• Clean the home thoroughly
• Schedule your homeowner walkthrough and orientation

This is where we make sure your new McKee home is absolutely ready for move-in — built to our quality standards.

⏱️ In Total: Approximately 7 to 9 Months of Construction

While the entire build process typically takes 7 to 9 months once construction begins, the exact timing depends on factors such as:

• Weather and seasonal conditions
• Permit approval times
• Custom design choices and upgrades
• Lot conditions or community infrastructure

Our priority is always quality over speed. We believe a home built to last is worth the time and care it takes to do it right.

🏡 Ready to Start Your Build?

If you’re ready to begin your home-building journey, visit one of our McKee Homes show homes in Airdrie to see our craftsmanship firsthand. Our team will guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you plan a timeline that fits your needs.