The renovation timeline, demystified

Everyone pictures demo day: sledgehammers, dust, dramatic before-and-afters. But ask any builder where projects are won or lost and they'll tell you the same thing — it's the quiet weeks before anyone swings a hammer.

Phase 1: Design and selections (2–4 weeks)

Layouts are finalized, materials are chosen, and every selection — from cabinet hinges to grout colour — is locked in before work begins. This is the single biggest thing you can do to keep a renovation on schedule, because mid-project changes are where budgets and timelines go to die.

Phase 2: Permits and ordering (1–3 weeks)

Structural changes, electrical, and plumbing all need permits, and custom materials need lead time. Cabinetry can take four to eight weeks to arrive; ordering it during the permit window means it shows up exactly when the site is ready for it.

Phase 3: Demolition and rough-in (1–2 weeks)

The loud part. Demo happens fast, then the trades move in: framing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-ins. Inspections happen here too — the city signs off on everything that's about to be hidden inside walls.

Phase 4: Closing in (2–4 weeks)

Insulation, drywall, taping, priming. Then floors, tile, and cabinetry. The space starts looking like a room again, and this is usually when homeowners get excited — and when good crews stay methodical.

Phase 5: Finishing (1–2 weeks)

Counters (templated after cabinets are set, then fabricated), backsplash, paint, trim, hardware, fixtures, and the punch list. The last five percent of the work makes ninety percent of the impression, so this phase rewards patience.

What this means for you

A bathroom typically runs 2–4 weeks on site. A kitchen, 5–8. A whole home, 3–5 months. But the calendar time from first meeting to final walk-through is longer — and the projects that respect the prep phases are the ones that hit their dates.