🏗️🔑 From Dirt to Doors: Timeline of a Ground-Up CRE Development 🕒🏢
🏗️🔑 From Dirt to Doors: Timeline of a Ground-Up CRE Development 🕒🏢
🚧📈 Ground-Up Commercial Real Estate: Step-by-Step Build Timeline 🛠️🏠
🏗️ From Dirt to Doors: Timeline of a Ground-Up CRE Project
When it comes to building commercial real estate from the ground up, timing is everything. Whether you're a developer, investor, or business owner planning your own space, understanding the timeline of a ground-up CRE (commercial real estate) project helps you plan better, avoid costly delays, and maximize returns.
Let’s walk through the typical phases of a new commercial construction—from acquiring land to unlocking the doors on opening day.
📍 Phase 1: Site Selection & Due Diligence (1–3 Months)
This stage is all about finding the right location. Whether you're eyeing a retail pad site in Katy or a flex industrial lot in Fulshear, you’ll need to analyze zoning, utilities, environmental reports, access to infrastructure, and future development plans. This phase includes:
Market feasibility studies
Site surveys and soil testing
Title review and purchase negotiations
Tip: Work with a local CRE broker who understands entitlements and has relationships with city planners.
🧾 Phase 2: Planning & Design (2–6 Months)
Once you own the land, the architectural and engineering work begins. During this time, the team creates site plans, floor layouts, elevations, and traffic studies.
You’ll be working closely with:
Architects
Civil engineers
Landscape planners
City permitting departments
At this stage, permitting applications are submitted to the city or county for approval. Be prepared for some back-and-forth.
🏗️ Phase 3: Financing & Permits (1–3 Months)
While design is underway, you’ll also be locking in your construction financing. Whether you're using a bank construction loan, SBA 504 loan, or private bridge financing, lenders require:
Budget breakdown
Appraisal based on stabilized value
Lease/purchase projections
Contractor bids
Once financing is secured and permits are approved, it’s go-time.
🚜 Phase 4: Site Work & Vertical Construction (6–12 Months)
The real action starts here. Crews clear the land, install underground utilities, pour the foundation, erect the structure, and build out walls, windows, and roofing.
Key milestones:
Site grading & utilities
Slab pour
Framing & roof installation
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP)
Drywall, finishes, and inspections
Your general contractor will manage the subcontractors, inspections, and timeline—weekly check-ins are critical.
🔑 Phase 5: Tenant Improvements & Final CO (1–3 Months)
If you’re building to suit a tenant or occupying the space yourself, this is when the space is customized for operations. This includes interior build-outs like:
Office walls and partitions
Flooring and lighting
Bathroom and kitchen installation
Signage, landscaping, and paving
Finally, the city issues a Certificate of Occupancy (CO)—your official green light to move in.
⏳ Total Timeline: 12 to 24 Months
Every project is unique, but most ground-up CRE developments in Texas run between 12 to 24 months depending on size, complexity, and municipality.
🧠 Final Thoughts
From dirt to doors, ground-up construction is complex—but extremely rewarding. Whether you’re developing a medical office, retail strip, or industrial warehouse, a clear timeline helps set expectations and avoid setbacks.
Need help evaluating a site or assembling the right financing package? Let’s talk.
https://www.houstonrealestatebrokerage.com/
https://www.houstonrealestatebrokerage.com/houston-cre-navigator
https://www.commercialexchange.com/agent/653bf5593e3a3e1dcec275a6
http://expressoffers.com/[email protected]
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© 2023-2024 Bill Rapp, Broker Associate, eXp Commercial Viking Enterprise Team
