Timeline for Monolithic Dome Construction

March 17, 2005

by David B. South

One of the most frequently asked questions here at Monolithic is, "How long will it take me to build a Monolithic Dome home?" The quick answer is 2 to 4 weeks for the shell. The real answer is determined by many contributing factors. The timeline here is intended to provide potential dome owners a general building timeline.

To build or not to build: The decision to build a dome home involves location, reasoning, lifestyle consideration, jobs, family living style and much more.

"For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. (Luke 14:28-30).

When we "sitteth" down to consider building a Monolithic Dome we need not only to consider the cost but also construction time. We all know the cousin who started a home five years ago and still hasn't finished it. He made a hobby out of the project and there is no need to hurry. On the other hand, some of us prefer to finish in a more timely manner. Anybody that promises you a house in less than six months is either a large tract builder or is kidding you. Custom houses take time. Generally it takes two to six months just to design the house.

Finding Land: Finding and purchasing land also takes time, often six months to a year. Buyers should remember the best deals are often hidden and must be vigorously searched out.

Design, Blueprints and Permits : A designer can design a house in a few short hours. But you will want to do some of your own work on it. You will want to make some changes, measure and re-measure the rooms, and be sure it follows your word picture. All of this takes time. Designing your dome and finding land can run concurrently but, in general you need the land first so you can design your dome to fit the land. Nevertheless it usually takes a minimum of 6 to 10 weeks. In some areas and states this phase can take up to 12 to 18 months.

Acquiring a building permit is tied to the blueprints and land purchase. The timeline for this is dependent upon location. It is not a dome problem as much as it is a bureaucratic problem.

Feasibility Study & Financing: A complete feasibility study helps set your budget. This information will aide your financing efforts. Most people don't have enough cash in their pocket to buy a new home outright. So, the hunt for reliable financial institutions begins. Not all financial institutions are the same. Some like some types of borrowers, some like another. Some are fussy about location. Some are particular about the building construction method. Others are choosey about the buyers. Being informed about Monolithic Domes, their benefits and construction is essential and will serve to help locate a willing financial lender.

A full set of drawings are needed to complete funding. After funding is in place, construction can begin. Generally, four to six weeks is needed to complete the Airform. Not because it takes us that long to create it, but we have to allow time to schedule for Airform patterning. Most all Airforms are custom built and therefore require extra time to patterning, especially if there are augmentations.

Finding a Builder: Take the time to research the background of the dome builder you choose. ALWAYS CHECK REFERENCES. If a second contract is signed for interior finishing, check out this contractor as well.

Foundation: Next step includes foundation construction -- the floor and the under-floor work. This can be done while the Airform is being built. If the weather is nasty, extra time may be needed. Once the floor is done, and the Airform on site, a Monolithic Dome can be inflated and standing within two to four weeks. At that point, you will walk inside and say, "Wow, we are almost done." But that isn't the case.

Interior Construction: Now's the time to create the partitions walls, electrical, plumbing, and eventually the sheet rock and the finishing touches. If you want relatively inexpensive prices for items this will take research and planning. You also need to allow ample time to work the various workers into a schedule. The plumber isn't standing with his hand on the phone waiting for your call. He generally has other work. In order for him to give you the most reasonable price he has to work the other work as well as yours. So, sometimes he is tied up for a few days before he comes to your place. Well, if he is tied up for a few days and the sheet rocker is tied up until the plumbing is in place there will be delays. Then when the plumber is done, the sheet rocker may be tied up on another job so that takes a couple of more days and it all just moves much slower than anticipated. A bottomless wallet eliminates many scheduling problems, but most people don't have that luxury.

Quality finishing touches take time -- usually six to ninth months. You don't want a workman to hurry so fast that he does a sloppy job. Unfortunately, the best workman are generally busy. Again, we have to work the project into their schedule. One thing is for sure, the day you walk into your dome home and the cabinets are in place and most everything is done, you might say, "Wow, we ought to be ready to move in here in just a couple of days." Wrong! Just when you think you are just about done, you are usually several weeks away from being totally finished.

Generally, a custom home requires at least one year to build -- from the time you get started to the time you finish. Design and financing could add three to six months to that time estimate. So be patient.

Click here to Download PDF of Construction Timeline Chart.

Timeline for Monolithic Dome Construction

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