When you're thinking about renovating one or multiple rooms in your home, one of the first questions that pops up is, “How long is this going to take?”

Here’s the thing: there’s not a renovation timeline that fits all. So many things affect it. That’s why the best place to start isn't a calendar. It's the scope of work, the complexity, and what the whole project entails. Once you’re clear, you'll know what to expect. 

If you’re thinking about starting a renovation project but are unsure about the time, stick around, because in this blog post, we’ll explain how your renovation timeline works and how you can determine one based on your needs, wants, and lifestyle. 

Knowing Your Scope

As we’ve said, before you can estimate how long a renovation will take, you need to understand what you're actually taking on.

For example, a space that needs a refresh with paint and new lighting doesn't have the same timeline as one with a new kitchen design.

Think about the scope from this perspective:

• Are you doing one or multiple rooms?
• How much construction is involved?
• Will you be needing new cabinetry, flooring, countertops, etc.?

All of these questions are better answered when you have a designer to walk you through what works best for your needs. 

Once you have a clear picture of what you want, it’s ideal to contact a designer to help you bring that vision to life.

Consider The General Timeline Per Design Phase

No project is the same, but if you want to have an idea of how long your project will take, consider these estimates according to our process:

1. Initial phase - 2-3 weeks: This is the phase where planning and inspiration take place. 
2. Design Phase - 4-6 weeks: This is the part of the process where we figure out how to bring the project to life.
3. Construction/Implementation - this can vary: a kitchen can take about 8-10 weeks while a bathroom may only be 3-4 weeks. Again, it depends on how much is involved. 
   

Build Your Renovation Timeline Around Your Life

Here's what people often miss about renovation timelines: Your home doesn't stop being your home just because it's undergoing renovation.

You still have work. Kids still have school. Life still happens. You've got to consider all of these factors to determine what time works best for your family. (Read here why this family planned a year ahead for their kitchen renovation!)

Maybe you're hoping to host Thanksgiving in your new kitchen. Maybe you're renovating before moving into the house. You have a baby coming, or you're trying to finish the project before the start of the school year. Everything in the calendar is important. So, make sure you start with the date that matters most to you.

A good idea is to work backward from the desired completion date. For example, if your goal is: We want the house ready for our family to visit in December, here’s how your project can look:

Your ideal completion date

↓

The construction timeline

↓

Ordering and lead times

↓

Design phase

↓

Design and selections

↓

Initial consultation and planning with your designer

This way, you get a realistic perspective of what to expect and how to plan to achieve it. And always plan for it to take longer, because it usually does.

What to Do When a Renovation Takes Longer

If there's one thing we recommend when planning a renovation, it's this: plan on it taking longer than expected. Even a well-planned project can run into delays.

For example, a material may arrive damaged. A permit may take longer than expected. Your contractor may discover an issue behind a wall that wasn't visible before demolition. A furniture piece may be backordered.

To avoid additional stress and overwhelm, add a buffer into your timeline. This gives you extra time to make the right decisions for your space. A designer knows best and will tell you whether your goal is doable and what to do instead. 

A renovation is a big investment of your time, money, and energy. Having a sense of your timeline can help you enjoy the process a little more and feel much more prepared for what's ahead.

If you're not sure where your project falls on the renovation timeline, we can help you figure it out and provide the details to keep your renovation project running smoothly. 

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