How long does Renovation take?

A complete kitchen renovation includes replacing all appliances, cabinets and counters, tiling the backsplash and installing floors. Expect it to take from three to six months, from start to finish.

Any renovation project starts with planning. Before you even start, interview architects and kitchen designers. Check for licenses, and ask for references. Do not hire the first one you interview, because you will lack a basis of comparison.

Once you have chosen a kitchen designer, this person should work with you from one to four months to create a design that works well. A kitchen renovation takes a major input of money and time, so you should be certain that you are completely satisfied with the design.

Next, hire a contractor. Again, interview several candidates, and check references and licenses. The contractor has to write and file permits. Permit granting can take from a week to a month, depending on where you live.

Once the contractor starts working, construction should take from six weeks to four months. If your designer has guided you well, you should have ordered cabinets and appliances well in advance. Poor planning and failure to order custom items in a timely fashion can delay a job unnecessarily.

Existing conditions in your home can affect the length of time needed to perform the job. These include:

Because bathrooms are usually small and do not need extensive electrical and vent work, bathroom renovations usually take a shorter amount of time than kitchen renovations. Bathrooms mainly revolve around plumbing, so spend time researching and hiring good contractors who understand plumbing. Planning well is important in order to maximize usage of a small space.

Unintended delays can be created by problems in the floor, and any room below the floor. Because waste plumbing is located in the floor, there is a risk of damage to the room beneath the bathroom. Repairing damage can take extra time. Expect bathroom renovations to last two or three months.

Adding a room to your house should take less time than it takes to renovate an existing room. Planning is usually simpler and clearer. Mainly, the planner and contractor have to examine ground conditions and structural and foundation issues. The construction should last from one to two months.

A good contractor will build the room outside of your house and complete electrical work in the room before opening the wall between your home and the new room. That way, the construction will be less disruptive to your lifestyle.

As always, hire professional, licensed, referenced contractors, architects and planners. Your work will be streamlined, and fewer unexpected delays will arise.