Anecdote on how fast you really can build a house

[Emily Dixon]

It is all about scheduling and handling your manpower.

In 2008 Lennar Homes was building a tract in Lytle Creek in Southern California. Tract builders always complete model homes first so they can start selling them.

They had 3 model homes to build, nice quality, with fireplaces and kitchen islands etc. each home over 2000 square feet. They pushed the subs as always with models. the record was set by a Jenike brother who was superintendant he had the previous set of models done in 30 days.

Another Jenike brother was in charge of this job. He wanted to beat his brothers record.

YES, they got three homes built, completely and ready to move furniture in in 28 days.

It isn't impossible. We have seen it done.

[Rich Weese]

My record is five weeks for a four bedroom home here in St. George 15 years ago. The thing that I really felt good about, was that it occurred during the winter. We had to use heaters to dry the sheetrock taping and also the paint in order to get it done that quickly. We have a fairly large builder in our area now Salisbury homes which is building a lot of homes in a lot of different subdivisions. They only build presold except for one model home in a couple of their developments. They require the subcontractors to wait until the closing before they get paid. The subcontractors are willing to do it because they close so quickly. Their standard timeframe is six weeks from start to finish so the longest any subcontractor wait to six weeks to be paid, and those would be the first subcontractors on the job. They are doing extremely well. Rich