The Pre-Construction Condo Timeline Explained

A lot of people think pre-construction is all about selling dreams and over-promising—and sometimes, that’s true. But you can buy a dreamy condo today and watch it come to life in a few years. That’s the beauty of pre-construction. The tricky part is figuring out the timeline.

Pre-Construction Condo Timeline

So, how long does it all take? From the developer planning the project to your official move-in day, the pre-construction condo timeline usually takes anywhere from 2 to 7 years. Here’s a quick breakdown of what happens and when:

Construction Timeline Overview Table

Pre-Construction Phase
(6 to 24+ Months)

This is the behind-the-scenes part of the process, and it’s where everything begins. It’s a lot of paperwork, meetings, and city approvals. You won’t see much happening at this stage, but this is the foundation of the entire project.

Then, the city reviews the plans for zoning, environmental impact, and other requirements. This stage can take time, especially if there’s community feedback or red tape involved.

Sales Launch

Once everything is approved, the developer launches the project in four phases:

• Platinum Access: First pick of the best units and lowest prices, often limited to insiders and agents.
• VIP Access: The next stage with early access and great perks, though with fewer options available.
• Friends & Family: Select groups get access before the public.
• Public Launch: The project opens to everyone.

To learn more about the phases of pre-construction sales, read our blog.

Signing the Agreement of Purchase and Sale

If you’re interested in the project, the developer or your real estate agent will provide you with brochures, floor plans, 3D renderings, and maybe even launch dates.

You’ll choose your unit, floor plan, and any available customization option, and then submit something called a Worksheet, which is basically a way of saying, “I’m interested.” There’s no commitment at this point. If your worksheet is accepted, the developer will send you an Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) to sign.

After you sign the APS, you’ll enter the 10-day cooling-off period. This is a legally required window where you can walk away from the deal for any reason at all. We always recommend our clients to use this time to sit down with a real estate lawyer, go over the contract in detail, and make sure you fully understand the terms, the deposit structure, and your rights as a buyer. 

Once those 10 days pass and you’re all in, it’s game on!

Construction Preparation
(3 to 6 Months)

Once the developer has sold enough units, the project becomes financially viable, and it’s time to prepare the site.

The first visible activity is site clearing. This means removing any existing buildings or debris, leveling the ground, and setting up the space for excavation and foundation work. If the site was previously undeveloped, this step may go quickly. But if older structures need to be demolished, it can take a little longer.

Next comes the foundation, which involves excavation, pouring concrete, waterproofing the base, and installing underground services like sewage and water lines.

At the same time, the developer is busy behind the scenes securing financing. Some of the funds may already be in place, but big projects usually depend on more comprehensive financial backing through loans or investors. 

Once financing is finalized and the site is prepped, it’s go-time for full construction.

Construction
(18 to 36 Months)

This is where the magic happens—and where the condo begins to take shape. It’s also the longest stage during the new condo construction timeline, so you must be patient.

First comes the structural framework. This includes building out the core of the structure: floors, walls, balconies, and stairwells. Depending on the building size and height, this part can take months or even over a year.

Once the skeleton is in place, it’s time to focus on mechanical systems. This is where teams install everything you won’t see later but can’t live without: plumbing, electrical wiring, heating and cooling systems, ventilation, fire safety systems, and more.

Finally, the interiors start coming together. This includes:

• Drywall and painting
• Flooring (laminate, tile, or hardwood)
• Cabinets, countertops, and vanities
• Light fixtures and appliances

It’s often the most exciting part because you start to see the actual living spaces coming to life. Each unit becomes more than just a blueprint.

Completion and Inspections (3 to 6 Months)

Once the building is complete, it’s time for inspections, approvals, and making sure everything meets strict safety standards. Final inspections are usually done by local authorities. They go through the building from top to bottom, testing fire systems, elevators, electrical work, and structural elements. 

If the building passes all checks, the developer receives the Occupancy Permit. This is the official green light that the condo is fit to be lived in. Without this, no one can move in, even if the units appear finished.

After that, it’s all about the finishing touches. Cleaning crews go through the entire building, small repairs are made, and if any deficiencies were found in earlier inspections, the developer will fix them. 

Occupancy and Move-In
(1 to 3 Months)

With inspections done and the Occupancy Permit in hand, you’re almost at the finish line. This stage is when you finally get to move in, though sometimes it happens in two steps.

In many pre-construction projects, there’s an interim occupancy period. This means you can move into your new unit even though the building hasn’t been legally registered as a condo yet. During this time, you’re not technically the official owner just yet, so instead of a mortgage payment, you’ll pay an occupancy fee (sometimes called “phantom rent” or “phantom mortgage”) to the developer.

Once the builder completes the final registration with the local land registry office, your condo unit is officially yours. This is when your mortgage starts, and you receive your title deed.The move-in is the next stage process, which mostly depends on your unit’s location in the building. Lower floors usually move in first. Most developers create a staggered move-in schedule to avoid chaos.

Factors That Affect the Timeline

Developers try their best to give accurate timelines, but of course, massive construction projects always deal with many variables that can shift those dates forward or backward. A few common factors that can impact the timeline include:

• Market Conditions: When demand is high and financing is easy to access, projects tend to move quickly. In slow markets or during economic uncertainty, projects might get delayed or even paused.
• Delays: Weather can be a big disruptor, especially in the winter months. Other common causes include labor shortages, supply chain issues, and waiting on permits or approvals from the city.

Experienced developers in Canada tend to stick closer to their projected timelines. Newer or smaller firms may run into more hiccups. So, always work with the best! 

What Buyers Should Know in Ontario

If you’re buying a pre-construction condo in Ontario, there are a few important protections and processes to understand. One of the biggest ones is the Tarion Warranty Program. This offers coverage for your new home in case of defects:

• 1-year warranty for general workmanship and materials
• 2-year warranty for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems
• 7-year warranty for major structural defects

Then, there’s the deposit structure, which is different from buying a resale home. Rather than paying one large deposit, you’ll typically follow a schedule like this:

• 5% at signing
• 5% in 90 or 180 days
• 5% in a year
• Sometimes, an additional 5% at occupancy

These staged payments make it easier to plan financially while the condo is being built.

Bottom Line

Buying a preconstruction condo is a long game, and knowing the pre-construction process steps helps you navigate it with confidence. Pre-construction has clear advantages like better pricing and more choice, but there are also some trade-offs, including waiting years for completion and dealing with possible delays.

The key is to plan ahead, stay informed, and work with professionals who understand the process inside and out. At Platinum Condo Deals, we’ve got the insider access and real-time support to help you land the best units at the best prices before they ever hit the public market.

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