Cohousing-L Mailing List: Is the construction phase really predictable?

[Veena Achar (veena]

Hi all
I am hoping to hear back from other cohousing communities that have
already been thru this and have a good idea of the trials, issues,
problems with getting a development project built!
Our cohousing project has excellent architects and a developer who is
currently building other cohousing communities. We are still at the
initial stages (preliminary plan submittal to city planning department)
and will eventully have around 32 units on our site.

Assuming city approves our plans with no issues ;-),  the timeframe
(estimates) I have heard are:
- design development and construction documents phase (2 months)
- construction drawings (4 - 6 months)
- actual construction (8 to 10 months)
I am ASSUMING that everything else (securing loans, getting a builder,
construction loans, drawing up contracts with various people, getting
final plan and map approval from city ) is done within this time period
as well.

My specific questions are:
1. what has been your experience with these phases
2. how realistic is it to expect things to really get done in time (with
unknowns like construction material availability, city planning and
council dept efficiency, etc)
3. How long has it been for you from the date you *thought* you would
move in to the date that you actually moved in?

I would of course like to move in as soon as possible into cohousing,
and right now am very optimistic about the completion date,  but am
hoping to get feedback on 'reality' from you all.
Thanks in advance!
--
Veena Achar (veena [at] dnai.com)
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Cohousing:  Creating old-fashioned neighborhoods in a new way
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