How Long Does a Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel Take?
What happens before construction and week by week, for a typical bathroom and a typical kitchen.
Most bathrooms take 2 to 4 weeks of construction and most kitchens 3 to 6 weeks, once materials are on site. Before that comes planning: the visit, the design, the quote, ordering materials and the permit. Here is what a typical project looks like, step by step.
Before construction
- Free consultation. We visit, measure and listen.
- Design and material selection. Layout, cabinets, counters, tile and fixtures.
- Written quote and schedule. The full scope, the price and the order of work.
- Ordering and permits. Long-lead items like cabinets, counters and special tile are ordered, and we apply for the permit. How long this takes depends on your choices and your city; we put it in your schedule. See the permits guide.
The fastest projects are the ones where every material is chosen before demolition. Waiting on a late decision is the most common cause of delay.
A typical bathroom, week by week
| Week | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Protection and demolition. Plumbing and electrical rough-in. Rough inspection. |
| 2 | Shower pan and waterproofing, then tile begins. |
| 3 | Tile and grout finished. Vanity, toilet, fixtures and lighting installed. Glass measured. |
| 4 | Glass installed, final touches, final inspection and walk-through with you. |
Smaller bathrooms that keep the plumbing in place often finish sooner. Custom glass, a curbless shower or moved plumbing can add time. More on our bathroom remodeling page.
A typical kitchen, week by week
| Week | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Protection and demolition. Plumbing, gas and electrical rough-in. |
| 2 | Rough inspections, then walls closed and patched. Flooring if it is part of the job. |
| 3 | Cabinets installed. |
| 4 | Countertops measured on the installed cabinets, then fabricated. |
| 5 | Countertops installed. Sink, faucet and backsplash. |
| 6 | Appliances, lighting, final touches, final inspection and walk-through with you. |
A kitchen that keeps its layout and uses in-stock cabinets can finish in about 3 weeks. Moving walls, custom cabinets and stone with a long fabrication time move it toward 6 weeks or more. More on our kitchen remodeling page.
What keeps a project on schedule
- All selections made before demolition.
- One project manager who runs every trade on one schedule.
- Inspections booked ahead, as soon as each stage is ready.
- A clear plan for living at home during the work.
Want a schedule for your project? It starts with a free visit.
Timeline questions
When can you start?
After the quote is signed, the materials are ordered and the permit is issued. We give you a start date in your written schedule.
Can you do the kitchen and a bathroom at the same time?
Yes. One crew, one schedule and one permit set. The total time is usually shorter than doing them one after the other.
What usually causes delays?
Late material decisions, back-ordered items and surprises behind the walls in older homes. We plan for the first two and check for signs of the third at the consultation.
Tell us about your project
Four short steps, about a minute. We call within 1 business day to set up your free in-home consultation.
- No obligation, no sales pressure
- Photos help us prepare, but are optional
- Prefer to talk? Call (323) 212-3020