Renovating a house is a complex process that varies greatly depending on the size of the project, budget, and other influencing factors.
Knowing how long a renovation will take is crucial to planning, setting expectations, and managing resources effectively.
One of the most common questions people ask before starting is: how long does it take to completely renovate a house?
The answer depends on a variety of factors, including the size of the property, the scope of the work, and the availability of resources.
Whether you’re planning to renovate a small apartment or a large family home, it’s important to have realistic expectations about the average time to remodel a house.
Let’s dive into the typical timelines for different scales of renovations and the factors that can impact those timeframes.
Average time to renovate a house
The average time to renovate a house varies depending on the type of renovation you’re undertaking.
In general, a full house renovation can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
For smaller, cosmetic changes, the process is much quicker, while large-scale renovations may take a year or more.
In most cases, a full house renovation can take anywhere from three months to over a year, depending on several key factors.
The process is typically divided into several stages, each with its own time requirements:
- Planning and design (1 to 3 months):
- Before any physical work begins, extensive planning is required: consultations with architects, designers, and contractors to finalize the design and scope of the project.
- Securing permits and approvals can also add time, depending on local regulations.
- Preparation and demolition (2 to 4 weeks):
- This phase involves clearing out the space and demolishing any structures that will be altered.
- Depending on the complexity, this could involve removing walls, flooring, or cabinetry.
- Proper disposal of debris is essential, which can also take time.
- Structural changes (1 to 3 months):
- If your renovation involves major structural changes, such as adding new rooms or knocking down walls, this phase can be particularly time-consuming.
- Structural work often requires inspections, which can add to the timeline if issues arise or if rework is needed.
- Systems installation (2 to 4 weeks):
- Installation of essential systems like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC often follows structural work.
- Each system requires inspections and testing, which can delay the overall project if any problems are identified.
- Interior finishes (1 to 4 months):
- Once the major systems are in place, the focus shifts to interior finishes, including flooring, cabinetry, and countertops.
- The timeline can vary significantly based on the complexity of the finishes and the availability of materials.
- Final touches and inspections (2 to 6 weeks):
- The final phase includes painting, installing fixtures, and performing a thorough cleaning.
- Inspections are typically required to ensure that everything is up to code.
- If issues are found, additional time may be needed to make corrections.
- Moving in (1 to 2 weeks):
- After the renovations are complete, you’ll need time to move in and arrange your belongings, which can take another week or two, depending on how extensive the renovations were.
Summary of average timeframes for renovating a whole house
Total Estimated Time: approximately 3 to 12 months
- Quick renovations (e.g., cosmetic updates): 3-6 months
- Moderate renovations (e.g., kitchen or bathroom remodels): 4-8 months
- Extensive renovations (e.g., full gut or major structural changes): 6-12 months or more
Small renovations
Small renovations typically include minor changes like repainting, installing new flooring, or upgrading light fixtures.
These projects are generally quicker and less invasive, often taking between 2 to 6 weeks to complete.
These types of renovations usually do not require major structural work, which can drastically shorten the time needed. However, even small projects can experience delays due to material shortages or unexpected issues.
For example, a minor kitchen remodel might involve new cabinets, countertops, and flooring, all of which can be completed relatively quickly.
The key to these smaller projects is minimal structural changes, keeping the focus on aesthetic updates.
Medium renovations
Medium renovations often involve more substantial work, such as updating a kitchen or bathroom, replacing windows, or adding insulation.
These projects can take 6 weeks to 3 months, depending on the complexity and scope of the changes.
You may start to see more structural changes, like knocking down walls to create open floor plans or installing new plumbing and electrical systems.
The increased complexity often leads to longer timelines, as multiple trades (electricians, plumbers, carpenters) need to coordinate.
Big renovations
Big renovations, such as a complete gutting of the property or adding new rooms, are by far the most time-consuming.
For this level of work, expect the project to take anywhere from 6 months to over a year.
Big renovations typically involve both interior and exterior work, along with major structural changes.
For instance, gutting a home to the studs and rebuilding it from scratch can add significant time due to the added labor, inspections, and material orders involved.
The average time to renovate a house ranges from 2 to 6 weeks for small renovations, 6 weeks to 3 months for medium renovations, and 6 months to over a year for big renovations, with full house renovations typically taking 3 months to over a year depending on complexity.
Factors to be considered when remodeling an entire house
Various elements can affect how long it takes to complete a full house renovation.
While the scope of the project is a major element, there are other considerations that can either speed up or slow down the renovation process.
Money
The budget plays a significant role in determining the average time to remodel a house.
Projects with ample financial resources can afford to hire more workers and higher-quality materials, which can speed up the process.
On the other hand, if you’re working with a tight budget, you may have to opt for cheaper materials or stretch the timeline to allow for cash flow, both of which can lengthen the renovation time.
Space
The size of the property is another key factor in how long it takes to completely renovate a house.
Larger homes take longer to renovate simply because there is more square footage to work on.
Additionally, homes with multiple floors or more complex layouts may require more time for contractors to navigate and complete the renovation.
Weather
Weather conditions can impact the speed of a renovation, especially for exterior work.
If you’re undertaking a project during the winter or rainy season, the time to remodel the house can be significantly affected.
Certain tasks, like roof work or foundation repairs, may be delayed due to inclement weather, extending the overall renovation time.
Bad weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, or extreme heat can delay work and extend the project’s timeline.
Coordination
Renovations require effective coordination among various professionals, including architects, contractors, and suppliers.
Poor coordination, miscommunication or scheduling conflicts among subcontractors (e.g., plumbers, electricians, carpenters) can lead to delays, and ultimately, a longer project timeline.
Keeping all professionals involved in the project aligned can help streamline the renovation process and minimize unexpected delays.
Choosing an experienced design-build firm helps mitigate these issues, ensuring seamless coordination and consistent communication throughout the process
Effort
Lastly, the amount of effort and dedication you’re able to put into the project will also determine how long it takes to remodel an entire house.
If you’re doing parts of the renovation yourself, it may take longer than if you hired professionals to complete the work.
Moreover, unforeseen issues, such as discovering hidden damage during demolition, can add additional time and effort to the renovation.
Hiring a company that specializes in house remodeling services can significantly reduce the time required for the full house renovation.