Home renovations are exciting — but also full of moving parts. Whether you’re revamping a cozy kitchen or doing a full bathroom overhaul, knowing how long things take helps manage expectations, budgets, and stress.

⏱️ Spoiler: Even “small” updates often take longer than expected without proper planning.

🛑 Note: Add extra time for design, permits, shipping delays, or surprise issues behind the walls.

Breaking the process into stages helps things flow smoothly:

1️⃣ Planning & Design (2–4 weeks)
🎨 Layout planning, material selection, mood boards, contractor interviews.

2️⃣ Permits & Ordering (1–3 weeks)
📄 Permit applications, product sourcing, vendor confirmations.

3️⃣ Demolition (2–5 days)
🧹 Tear-down of old cabinets, tiles, appliances.

4️⃣ Plumbing & Electrical (3–7 days)
💡 Rerouting pipes and wiring to fit the new layout.

5️⃣ Framing & Drywall (4–7 days)
🪚 Any new walls, niches, or bulkheads go up now.

6️⃣ Flooring & Tiling (5–10 days)
🧱 Backsplashes, bathroom tiles, or waterproof flooring.

7️⃣ Cabinetry & Fixtures (1–2 weeks)
🚰 Installation of cabinets, sinks, faucets, lights.

8️⃣ Finishing Touches (2–4 days)
🖼️ Paint, trim, caulk, mirror hanging, and final cleanup.

🔸 Material backorders (especially custom cabinets)
🔸 Permit approval slowdowns
🔸 Hidden plumbing/electrical issues
🔸 Scheduling conflicts with contractors
🔸 Last-minute design changes

🎯 Pro tip: Pad your timeline by at least 15–20% to keep stress low.

Patience pays off in renovation. A realistic, well-thought-out timeline ensures you’re not living in a construction zone forever. Whether you’re updating a kitchen for modern cooking or turning a bathroom into a personal spa, time spent planning = time saved later.