How Long Does a Remodel Take?
Typical Remodeling Timelines: What to Expect
Taking the time to produce a high-quality project and positive remodeling experience
While everyone wants their project completed as quickly as possible, speed should never come at the expense of quality. Careful scheduling, skilled craftsmanship, proper inspections, and attention to detail are what produce a finished project that performs well and looks beautiful for decades. It is a bit like an orchestra conductor, weaving many different parts of a big picture together at just the right moment.
How Long Does a Remodeling Project Take?
A Few Important Assumptions
Before you read, please note that these timeframes assume thorough planning before construction begins. The design phase, permitting, material selections, and ordering are all mostly completed before demolition begins. Construction is only one part of a successful remodeling experience. Behind the scenes, careful planning, material procurement, inspections, scheduling, and coordination between multiple trades all happen before and during construction to keep the project moving efficiently.
Kitchen Remodel
Typical Construction Timeline: 14–16 Weeks
Kitchens are one of the most involved renovations in a home because it requires nearly every trade to work in a carefully coordinated sequence.
The construction timeline is influenced by both the level of customization and the scope of work. Custom cabinetry, countertop selection, and handcrafted details require careful consideration and planning. Additionally, we typically renovate the entire space, updating plumbing, electrical, insulation, and other systems behind the walls along with the finished surfaces.
Learn more about Kitchen Remodeling →
Bathroom Remodel
Typical Construction Timeline: 8–12 Weeks
Bathrooms are smaller spaces, but they’re surprisingly complex. Our bathroom projects involve waterproofing, plumbing, electrical work, tile installation, cabinetry, fixtures, glass, and finish work, all within a relatively small space where precision matters.
Custom tile, handcrafted millwork, and specialty finishes all require time and attention to detail. Beyond what’s visible, there are often challenges hidden behind the walls, such as rerouting a laundry chute or modifying soffits that interrupt the space. Timelines may also increase if the project includes expanding the bathroom by borrowing space from an adjacent room or adding a small addition to enlarge the footprint.
Basement Remodel
Typical Construction Timeline: 10–14 Weeks
An unfinished basement offers a blank slate, but every project is different. Finishing a large open space may move quickly, while adding a bathroom, wet bar, fireplace, home theater, or custom built-ins requires additional coordination and craftsmanship.
Basements are often completed alongside a new bathroom or other improvements. While combining projects can extend the overall construction timeline, it creates a more efficient process and allows multiple areas of the home to be improved at once.
See Basement Remodeling Projects →
Remodel with an Addition
Typical Construction Timeline: Varies
Additions are rarely completed in isolation. While 4–6 months is a typical construction timeline for many additions, they’re often part of a larger project, such as a kitchen or primary suite renovation. The overall construction schedule depends on the size of the addition, the complexity of the project, and how the new space integrates with the existing home.
It’s also important to note that no two additions are alike. Whether you’re expanding a kitchen, creating a primary suite, adding a family room, or building a second story, an addition involves many of the same phases as building a new home, including excavation, foundation work, framing, roofing, windows, mechanical systems, insulation, drywall, and interior finishes.
Important Considerations
Hidden Plumbing Issues, Outdated Electrical, Structural Modifications
It’s also important to understand that every home presents unique challenges, especially in older neighborhoods like those found throughout South Minneapolis. Hidden plumbing issues, outdated electrical systems, structural modifications, and discoveries behind existing walls are all common realities of remodeling older homes. An experienced team anticipates these possibilities and has systems in place to manage them with minimal disruption.
Don’t Jeopardize Your Project
A successful experience isn’t measured by how quickly construction is completed. It’s measured by thoughtful planning, clear communication, consistent progress, and a finished space that exceeds your expectations.
Rushing decisions, skipping important planning steps, or trying to accelerate the schedule can increase the risk of delays, change orders, and disappointing results. Taking the time to do things right helps ensure a smoother remodeling experience and a home you’ll enjoy for decades.
That’s what we strive for on every project, large or small, and what you’ll hear us discuss throughout your remodeling journey.
ASK THE EXPERT
Wondering how long your project might take?
Every home is different. We’d be happy to walk through your goals, discuss a realistic timeline, and help you plan for a successful remodeling experience.
