Want to get your house built in the shortest time possible? Move to the South and nail down a construction crew. According to Census Bureau data as reported in the Wall Street Journal, if you live anywhere other than the Northeast you should be able to start hanging your pictures and moving your furniture in within six months. Start to finish times have fluctuated over the year, mainly because of changes in the labor market – and apparently freezing, Northeast weather. During the housing crisis construction times rose steadily as many tradespeople simply went out of business or retooled themselves educationally.
Now what does it cost to build a house? Stayed tuned for future posts.