Most people ask how long the build takes. The better question is how long it takes from the first conversation to the day you get the keys, because a good chunk of the time passes before anyone pours a slab.
Here is a realistic picture of each stage of building a new home in Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley, what tends to slow things down, and what you can do to keep your project moving.
The Short Answer
Across Australia, a new detached house took about 11.5 months on average from approval to completion in 2024 to 2025, based on analysis of ABS building activity data. Victoria was quicker than most states, at a little under 10 months on that measure.
That figure starts at approval, so it leaves out design, engineering and permits. Add those, and most new homes take somewhere around 12 to 18 months from the first meeting to handover. A simple design on a straightforward block sits at the shorter end. A custom design, a block with an overlay, or a planning permit pushes it longer.
Stage 1: Design and Documentation
This is where the house is designed, drawn and engineered. It usually includes:
- A feature and level survey of your block
- A soil test, which sets the site classification and drives the footing and slab design
- Working drawings and specifications
- Structural engineering
- An energy rating, because new homes in Victoria must meet the 7-star standard
Allow roughly two to four months, depending on how quickly design decisions are made. Changes made here are cheap. The same changes made once the frame is up are not. Read more about 7-star energy requirements if you are building new.
Stage 2: Permits
Every new home needs a building permit, issued by a registered building surveyor once the drawings, engineering and energy rating are complete. If the documents are in order, this step often takes a few weeks.
Some blocks also need a planning permit from Greater Shepparton City Council before a building permit can be issued. Common triggers include flood overlays, heritage overlays and some zones. In Victoria the council has 60 statutory days to decide a planning application, but that clock pauses whenever council asks for more information, and applications that need public notice take longer. A planning permit can add several months, so it pays to find out early whether your block needs one. Our guide to building on flood-prone land covers the overlay side in more detail.
Stage 3: Contract, Insurance and Scheduling
Once the price is settled, you sign a domestic building contract. For contracts over $20,000 signed from 1 July 2026, your builder must arrange Home Warranty insurance through the Building and Plumbing Commission. Your contract should state the start date, the number of days to complete the work, and the allowances for delays such as wet weather. Our guide to what your building contract should include explains each of these.
Expect two to six weeks between signing and the first day on site while trades and materials are booked in.
Stage 4: Construction, Stage by Stage
Victorian building contracts are paid in stages, and the stages are a good way to understand the build itself:
| Stage | What happens | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Site works and base | Site set-out, excavation, plumbing under the slab, footings and slab or stumps | The footprint of the house on the ground |
| Frame | Wall and roof frames go up and are inspected by the building surveyor | You can walk through the rooms |
| Lock-up | Roof, external cladding, windows and external doors go on | The house is weathertight |
| Fixing | Plaster, cabinetry, internal doors, skirting, bathroom and kitchen fit-out | It starts to look like a home |
| Completion and handover | Painting, tiling, final fit-off, cleaning, final inspection and occupancy permit | Keys in hand |
For a standard single-storey home, the construction phase is commonly around six to nine months. Larger, double-storey or highly customised homes take longer.
What Actually Slows a Build Down
- Late selections. Tiles, tapware, appliances and cabinetry chosen after the contract can hold up ordering and trades.
- Variations. Every change to the plans after signing needs to be priced, agreed in writing and often re-ordered.
- Wet ground. Goulburn Valley winters can keep machinery off site and delay slabs and site works.
- Long lead-time items. Windows, roofing and some fittings can take weeks to arrive.
- Planning surprises. An overlay or requirement found late in design can add months.
How to Keep Your Build on Track
- Get the soil test and survey done early so the design is right the first time
- Find out at the start whether you need a planning permit
- Make as many selections as possible before you sign
- Ask for a written construction program, not just a finish date
- Keep variations to a minimum, and always get them in writing
If you want to see the whole journey from first meeting to keys, read our guide to building a custom home in Shepparton. For budgeting, see how much it costs to build a house in Shepparton.
Talk to a Local Builder
Roweanne Builders has been building homes across Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley for over 40 years. We will give you a realistic program for your block before you sign, not a number that sounds good and then slips. Call (03) 5822 2225 or get in touch.
FAQs
How long does it take to build a house in Shepparton?
Allow around 12 to 18 months from the first meeting to handover for most new homes, including design and permits. Construction on site is commonly six to nine months for a standard single-storey home.
Do I need a planning permit to build a house in Shepparton?
Not always. Every new home needs a building permit, but a planning permit is only needed if your block is affected by certain overlays or zone requirements, such as flood or heritage overlays. Check early, because a planning permit can add several months.
What is the biggest cause of delays?
Decisions made late. Selections, design changes and variations after the contract is signed cause more delay than most other factors combined.
Can a builder guarantee a finish date?
Your contract must state the number of days to complete the work and the allowances for delays such as wet weather. Ask how those allowances are calculated before you sign.
This article is general information only. Timeframes and permit requirements depend on your design, your block and the time of year. Confirm the details for your project before you rely on them.