More dwellings completed within two years

In 2004 over 65 thousand new dwellings were completed, nearly 6 thousand more than in the previous year. A larger proportion of newly-built houses were completed within a time span of two years. In 2004 a total of 71 percent of newly-built houses had a completion time of less than two years, as against 67 percent in 2003. In 1995, however, 95 percent of new houses were built within two years.

Completion time of new houses, 1995-2004

Houses more often built within one or two years

The proportion of new houses with a completion time of less than one year was 24 percent in 2004, the same as in 2003. The proportion of new houses with a completion time between one and two years increased from 43 to 48 percent. In 1995 no less than 95 percent of new houses were built within two years. The increased completion time since 1995 is partly caused by an increase in large-scale building projects and lengthier (objection) procedures.

Completion time of new houses less than two years, by size of the project

Completion time large-scale projects increases

Typically, the completion time of house-building projects including more than 200 units increased. Since 1995 the proportion of houses built within two years fell from 90 percent to 55 percent. In 2004 only 4 percent of new houses were built as part of a large-scale project involving 200 houses or more. The average completion time of small-scale projects remained the same or was reduced. Notably, projects involving between 5 and 50 houses were more often completed within two years.

Completion time shortest in province of Flevoland

In Flevoland 85 percent of newly-built houses were completed within two years in 2004, in the province of Utrecht only 62 percent. The province of Friesland achieved the best results, as 49 percent of new houses were built within one year. Nationwide, only one quarter were built within a year.

Completion time of new houses by province, 2004

Longer completion time for VINEX dwellings

Two-thirds of new houses were located in so-called VINEX and BON areas. In the VINEX areas the share of houses built within two years was 68 percent, marginally below the nationwide average. In BON areas the proportion of houses built within two years was 71 percent, equalling the nationwide average.

Cees Steijn