A BioBuilds home is built in weeks but lived in after months: planning, building control and service connections set the pace, not the factory. Production of a standard model takes about three weeks under standard conditions and installation around 3 days. Site works and connections can run alongside production once planning allows it, so start the slow parts first.
At BioBuilds, "three weeks" refers to factory production of a standard model under standard conditions. The full project in Ireland has more steps, and most depend on your site, your council and the network operators rather than on the manufacturer. This guide walks through each stage from first contact to move-in, with the time it takes and what you can run in parallel.
~3 weeks
BioBuilds factory production of a standard model, counted from factory scheduling
8 + 4 weeks
normal planning decision period plus the appeal window, for full permission
60 business days
ESB Networks' target for a new connection after quote acceptance and payment
The stages from contract to move-in
1. Site and feasibility
Check zoning and rural housing policy, access for delivery and crane, ground conditions, services and wastewater. A few weeks, longer if you are still buying the site.
2. Configuration and offer
Choose the model, finish and options; BioBuilds confirms the planning route, price and scope in a personalised offer.
3. Contract and reservation
You sign and pay 10% to reserve your offer.
4. Planning
Full permission: newspaper and site notices, an 8-week decision period and a 4-week appeal window, longer with further information or an appeal. Class 3A requires at least 14 days' notice for qualifying 32–45 m² rear-garden homes linked to the principal house's services. All exemption conditions must be met; BioBuilds is still assessing Wanderlust's eligibility and any required adaptations.
5. Building control
The commencement notice reaches the building control authority 14 to 28 days before work starts, with the certification route you choose.
6. Production slot and factory
40% for materials when your slot is allocated, 40% when production starts, then about three weeks for a standard model.
7. Site works, in parallel
Ground screws, ESB and water connections or on-site wastewater, and the crane booking, finished before delivery.
8. Delivery and installation
Transport by sea and road, included in the Irish price; inspection on the trailer, 10% at delivery, installation in around 3 days.
9. Completion and move-in
Agreed finishing work, connections, ventilation validation, completion documents and the BER where required.
Which stages take the longest?
Planning and the service connections. A planning application takes at least 8 weeks plus the 4-week appeal window, and further information stops the clock. ESB Networks aims to quote within 15 business days and to connect within 60 business days after you accept and pay, so request the connection early. Neither depends on how fast the house is built. Our planning permission guide and building control guide explain those steps.
The factory part is short and predictable: BioBuilds produces a standard model in about three weeks once factory scheduling begins. Site preparation, transport and installation are scheduled separately.
Key Takeaway
Order the slow things first. Apply for planning and request the ESB and water connections as soon as the site and the house are fixed, and let the ground screws and the factory run in parallel.
What can run in parallel?
While this happens
You can already
The planning application is being reviewed
Request connection quotes, get ground screw and crane quotes, arrange your mortgage
The house is in production
Install the ground screws, bring services to the connection points, book the crane and any road permits
The house is being installed
Schedule the connections and, for Exterior Finished, your interior trades
How long does the whole project take?
There is no universal order-to-move-in time, because planning, the site and the services differ for every project. A realistic plan adds up the stages for your situation: the planning route, the production slot, about three weeks of production, the delivery window and the site works not finished by then. Our guide to delivery day covers the last stage.
Timeline by finish level
BioBuilds Turnkey homes arrive with the interior finished, ventilation and heat pump installed, so move-in follows the connections and completion documents. Exterior Finished homes arrive closed and weatherproof with OSB interior surfaces, and your interior work comes on top. In Ireland, Wanderlust starts from €105,000 in Exterior Finished and €157,000 in Turnkey, including 23% Irish VAT, with transport and installation included. To see your configuration, configure your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
BioBuilds produces a standard model in about three weeks under standard conditions, counted from when factory scheduling begins. Installation on prepared ground screws through BioBuilds' local partners is included in the Irish price and takes around three days. The whole project takes longer: full planning permission needs at least 8 weeks plus a 4-week appeal window, and ESB Networks targets 60 business days for a new connection after acceptance and payment.
Planning and the service connections. Further information requests stop the planning clock, and new electricity and water connections run on the network operators' schedules. Applying early with complete documents saves more time than any other step.
Yes. Once planning and the commencement notice allow work to start, the ground screws, services and crane booking can run in parallel with factory production, so the site is ready when the house arrives.
10% when you sign and reserve your offer, 40% for materials when your production slot is allocated, 40% when production starts, and 10% at delivery, after inspection on the trailer before unloading. Agree the matching drawdowns with your lender before signing.
AB
Andreea B.
Client Experience Lead
Certified Passive House Consultant with 8 years experience in timber-frame construction and prefabricated housing. Helping families across Europe build smarter, healthier homes.
