Here’s How Long Each Type of Home Renovation Takes

December 9, 2022

By Blake Voyer RSE

This is a question that gets over complicated so let’s look at each of the most common types of projects and how long they’ll take. Let’s not get vague about any of this.

Renovating – like most industries post 2020 – has changed. The biggest change we’ve seen is with lead times for materials. Plumbing materials, toilets, rough-in kits,, tile, flooring, lighting fixtures. It all takes longer to get and costs more. That’s the reality. How are builders combatting that? Be changing the way we plan projects:

Projects are now planned FULLY before the signing of the proposal. What we do is create design drawings and build specifications sheets FIRST and build the project on PDF before we go ahead with the project itself. That way, when it’s time to go, we have a detailed plan for the project. When the proposal is signed, we order all the materials the day after signing and start collecting them at the home or storing them at the supply warehouses before we need them.

A photo of a kitchen from the outside

Proper planning lead to this window, railing and all surrounding elements going in without a hitch

So the time it takes to execute a renovation hasn’t changed that much, but the planning and procurement processes are longer. IN most cases, the planning and procurement processes are LONGER than the renovation itself.

Kitchen

Planning & Design: 1-2 months

Permit and Procurement: 8-12 weeks

Build: 3-4 months

Bathroom

Planning & Design: 4 weeks

Permit (only required if walls are being moved) and Procurement: 6-10 weeks

Build: 1-2 months

Master Ensuite

Planning & Design: 4-6 weeks

Permit (only required if walls are being moved) and Procurement: 8-12 weeks

Build: 1-2 months

Whole Home Interior

Planning & Design: 2-3 months

Permit and Procurement: 8-12 weeks

Build: 4-6 months

Whole Home Interior and Exterior 

Planning & Design: 4-6 months

Permit and Procurement: 3-6 months

Build: 1-1.5 years

Deck or Hardscaping

Planning & Design: 4 weeks

Permit and Procurement: 2 weeks

Build: 1-2 months

The long and short if it is this: Planning wins every time. Have your project design by a design build firm like ours or via a designer, build spec sheets for all the items. Find out the correct lead times for all the materials – and build your whole project on PDF first. That’s the only time you should sign on the dotted line and approve the project to go ahead.