But once ground is broken a lot can happen in a very short space of time.
Last year saw some major changes to Jersey’s landscape, with new buildings springing up and old ones being given a new look.
While much has changed in St Helier, it is often the more remote areas where new or altered properties stand out most.
Here we look at some of the larger building projects in St Helier that made progress in 2015.
Weighbridge House
THE redeveloped former Southampton Hotel was unveiled this year to near-universal praise after it had spent months under the cover of scaffolding and hoardings at the Weighbridge.
Now named Weighbridge House, the refurbished building contains 17,000 sq ft of space and comprises offices and a ground floor restaurant and bar.
Islanders welcomed the return of the property, which is a familiar sight in photos of Liberation Day where it forms part of the backdrop to one of the Island’s most memorable moments.
Police headquarters
THE new home of the Island’s police force is a deceptively large site next to Green Street car park.
Over the past 12 months much change has been seen in the area, with construction firm Rok Regal making rapid progress to erect the shell of the five-storey building.
It is one of the largest new buildings in Jersey and is due to be handed to the States police in December this year.
66-72 Esplanade
66-72 Esplanade may be best known as being the future home of the Royal Bank of Canada in Jersey.
It has spent months wrapped in protective sheeting next to the Grand Hotel on the Esplanade, but the large office block could soon be uncovered.
Developed by Dandara, the unit will have a modern, curved and glass-fronted design and it replaces a series of run-down buildings at the site.
