Building your dream home is an exciting journey, however selecting the right home builder is critical to ensuring a smooth,…
When building a new home, one of the most common concerns for homeowners is the timeline. At Summit Homes Group, we recognise that time is a crucial factor, particularly in today’s competitive housing market in Western Australia. That’s why we’re excited to offer our range of Modular homes—providing a faster, more efficient solution to traditional home building.
What Makes Modular Homes Faster to Build?
One of the biggest advantages of Modular homes is their faster completion time. Unlike traditional homes, which are built entirely on-site, Modular homes are constructed in pre-fabricated sections at our Summit Modular Facility, away from the construction site in a controlled environment. Once the sections—known as ‘modules’—are ready, they are transported to the site, where they are installed and connected to services. This streamlined process significantly reduces construction time and minimises delays that can occur with traditional building methods.
The Modular Home Construction Timeline: Step-by-Step Breakdown
So, how long does it really take to build a modular home?
The construction of a Modular home—from council approval to installation on-site—typically takes around 16 weeks (just 4 months). Once the home is installed, the timeline can vary depending on additional features in your contract, such as an alfresco or carport. If we’re simply connecting your home to existing services, you could be moving in within just 4 weeks.
However, it’s important to note that the consultation and design phase, contract preparation, and shire approvals can take up to 10 weeks. This means the entire process, from start to finish, generally takes around 28-30 weeks.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Modular home construction timeline:
1. Initial Consultation & Design (1 – 2 Weeks)
Every successful home begins with a solid foundation, and that starts with the design and planning phase. During this stage, you’ll collaborate with our expert team at Summit Homes Group to discuss your needs, preferences, and the type of Modular home you envision. We’ll guide you in selecting the right design, floorplan, and materials, ensuring that your new home is perfectly suited to your lifestyle.
Timeframe: 2 weeks
Key Tasks:
- Initial Consultation with a Summit Modular Consultant – We begin by assessing your block’s location to determine if it’s suitable for a Modular home.
- Site Inspection and Property Access Assessment (if required) – We’ll conduct a thorough inspection to evaluate the accessibility of your property for efficient delivery and installation.
- Select Your Ideal Modular Design – Choose from a range of Modular home designs tailored to suit your specific lifestyle needs and preferences.
- Choose Finishes and Features – Select from a pre-determined range of colour schemes and finishes to personalise your home.
2. Preparation of contract (4 Weeks)
Once you’ve finalised your Modular home design and signed the Preparation of Plans Agreement, we’ll begin ordering the necessary site reports. These include a site survey, engineers’ soil classification, and a bushfire attack level assessment. Once we receive these reports, our drafting team will prepare a detailed set of drawings, which will be used to obtain site works quotations and prepare your contract.
We’ll then present the contract for your review and signing. This will include a set of drawings, along with a comprehensive quotation covering transport, installation, and site works. If your project requires Development Approval, our team will submit the planning application before issuing the contract. Please note that a Development Application can add 8-10 weeks to the pre-construction timeline.
Timeframe: 4 weeks
Key Tasks:
- Site Survey, Engineer’s Site Report, and BAL Assessment – We conduct the necessary assessments, including a site survey, soil classification, and bushfire attack level assessment.
- Preparation of Drawings – Our drafting team prepares detailed drawings based on the site reports and your selected design.
- Preparation of Site Works Quotation – We gather and compile quotations for site works, transport, and installation.
- Issue and Signing of Contract – Once all details are finalised, we present the contract for your review and signing, including the drawings and site works quotation.
3. Shire approvals (3-4 weeks)
Once your contract is finalised and signed, our team will begin the council approval process. This includes submitting the final drawings to an engineer, an energy efficiency certifier, and applying for a building permit with your local government authority.
Once we have the Build Permit and confirmation of finance approval, the slab/chassis, steel framing, windows and construction materials are ordered, ready to start construction.
Timeframe: 3-4 weeks
Key tasks:
- Council Approval – Submission of final drawings for engineer review, energy efficiency certification, and building permit application with the local government authority.
- Finance Approval – Confirmation of finance approval to proceed with the project.
- Ordering of Materials – Once approvals are in place, we order the necessary materials, including the slab/chassis, steel framing, windows, and construction supplies.
3. Home Construction at our Summit Modular Facility (16 Weeks)
This is where the magic happens! Once all approvals are in place and building materials have been ordered, construction will begin in approximately 4 weeks. From the moment our carpenters start building, it will take around 12-16 weeks until transport and installation are complete.
While our team works on constructing your home in our yard, another team will be on-site preparing for the necessary site works. This is one of the key advantages of Modular construction: site works can be done concurrently with the offsite build.
By building the home offsite, we ensure better quality control, minimise waste, reduce the risk of weather-related delays, and keep everything on track. Modular homes can be built in as little as 16 weeks, significantly faster than traditional construction, where everything is done onsite.
Timeframe: 16 weeks
Key Tasks:
- Construction of Modular Sections at Summit Modular Facility – This includes the full build-out of the home’s structure, along with internal finishes such as tiling, painting, and flooring.
- Site Preparation for Home Installation – Our team prepares the site to ensure everything is ready for the seamless installation of your Modular home.
4. Transport and Installation (1-2 Days)
Once your Modular home is fully constructed, it’s time for transportation to your property. We’ll arrange for the modules to be carefully loaded and transported via large trucks, ensuring everything is securely packed for the journey. Upon arrival, the modules will either be installed using a crane or, if the site allows, by reversing them into position and using jacks for installation.
This is a crucial step in the Modular construction process, and typically, the installation of the modules takes just one day to complete. In some cases, if the site is a great distance away, the transport may take two days.
Timeframe: 1-2 days
Key Tasks:
- Transporting the Modular Sections to Your Property – Carefully loading and transporting the modules to your site.
- Positioning and Installing the Modules Using Cranes – Using cranes to position and install each module onto the foundation.
- Connecting the Modules and Ensuring a Seamless Fit – Securing the modules together and making sure all connections align.
5. Final Touches & Completion (4-5 Weeks)
With the main structure of your home now in place, we move on to the final touches. This includes installing essential services such as plumbing and electrical connections, constructing site-built features like carports and alfrescos, and completing any complex work needed to join the modules together. We can also offer additional services, such as building decks, landscaping, and fencing, depending on your site location. Additionally, we’ll conduct final inspections to ensure everything is functioning as expected.
At this stage, you’ll see your new Modular home take shape, and our team will work efficiently to ensure everything is completed to your satisfaction.
Timeframe: 4 to 5 weeks
Key Tasks:
- Post-Transport Touch-Ups and Complexing of Modules – Final adjustments and seamless integration of the modules.
- Plumbing and Electrical Connections – Installation of essential plumbing and electrical systems.
- Final Touches, Including Site-Built Structures – Completion of site-specific features such as carports, Alfrescos, and any other custom-built elements.
- Additions, Such as Decks, Landscaping, and Fencing – Optional enhancements, subject to site conditions.
- Final Inspection and Approval – A thorough inspection to ensure everything is functioning correctly and meets all standards before approval.
Total Timeline: 28 – 30 Weeks
From start to finish, building your Modular home typically takes 28 to 30 weeks, including planning and design, contract preparation, and shire/council approvals. The construction process—from council approval to installation—usually takes about 16 weeks (just 4 months), with an additional 4 weeks to reach practical completion.
This is a significant difference compared to traditional building methods, which can take many months or even over a year to complete. Modular homes offer fast, efficient construction without compromising on quality or design, making them an ideal choice for those in Western Australia looking for a new home in less time.
Ready to get started? Contact Summit Modular today.