Housing Starts: Average Length of Time from Start to Completion Still Very Elevated for Multi-family in 2025

Length of Time from Start to Completion

Census released the annual data on the length of time from start to completion, and this showed residual construction delays impacting completions in 2025.

In 2020 and 2021, builders responded to strong demand for both owner occupied and rental units and started a large number of housing units. However, there were significant pandemic related delays in receiving materials. For example, in 2024, I spoke with a major window supplier about delivery delays. In early 2023, they were quoting 26 weeks for delivery. In 2024 they were quoting 4 to 5 weeks (back to normal).

In 2023, it took a record 8.6 months from start to completion for single family homes, in 2025, it took 7.5 months (still elevated, but returning to normal).

Note: This is reported when projects are completed.

For 2+ unit buildings, it took a record 17.1 months for buildings with 2 or more units in 2023, and this declined to 16.5 months in 2025 (still very elevated).

The delays following the housing bubble were due to many projects being mothballed for several years. The recent delays were due to pandemic related supply constraints.

Length of Time from Authorization to Start

From Authorization to Start, it took a record 1.5 months in 2023 for single family homes; this has declined to 1.4 months in 2025. And it took 2.4 months in 2025 for 2+ units buildings, down from a record 2.8 months in 2022 and 2023.

For projects starting now, the length of time from authorization to start, and from start to completion, will likely be close to normal.