What Does a Real Renovation Timeline Look Like?
When facing a renovation project, the timeline can be hard to figure out, but it is crucial for setting realistic expectations, having a smooth process and finishing with a smile on your face. I'm going to share some tips to help you figure out approximately how long your renovation could take.
Phase 1: Planning
For the planning phase of an interior renovation, we need to take our time covering all possible options. There will be a design consultation to set the scope of work you want to see accomplished, then I'll present you with design concepts to help narrow down those ideas. Once concepts are agreed upon, I'll present you with material selections that we'll agree upon. Once those are made, you talk to the General Contractor who will be running the construction side of the renovation, and I’ll present them with detailed drawings and selections. They'll get everything priced, which takes a few weeks to do and come back to us with numbers to review. We adjust as necessary from there until we come to an agreement on everything.
How Long It Can Take: If renovating your whole home or the majority of it, you should expect around 2 months for all of this to be completed. If the renovation requires an engineer because you want to make structural changes, it will take longer. If the work you're doing needs to be sent to a building department, that timeframe will vary greatly based upon where you live. The GC will be able to provide a timeframe for how long it takes to get through the building department before any work can begin.
Phase 2: Procurement
When making selections for all materials being used in the renovation process it's important to take time with the vendors and discuss availability of each item. If an item needs to come from Italy in the month of August, you're out of luck because the country shuts down for holiday and you're going to be waiting an extra 4 weeks for that item. Discovering the timelines is always a question I'll ask when selecting options during the planning stage. We'll check it again when time comes to actually procure the items to ensure nothing has changed.
How Long It Can Take: Obtaining everything necessary can Receiving the items is another matter than the GC (General Contractor) will handle.
Phase 3: Construction
During this phase of the renovation, the General Contractor is running the project. At key stages before items get installed, I will go to your home to review the materials and layouts to ensure the design is being followed. I'll be available by phone, Zoom or Face Time to answer any questions they may encounter in the field.
During this time, I'll be working with you on any furniture, window treatment, wallpaper, rug or art selections we've agreed upon.
How Long It Can Take: The actual construction phase will vary greatly depending upon what work is being done. If you're not moving anything structural it could take 4-6 months depending on how much other work you're doing. It could be less time if it's a small bathroom update. If you're doing a lot of work and moving walls, electrical, plumbing, it could take 8 months to a year. Again, having a conversation with the GC in the planning phase is crucial for getting a good idea specific to your project.
Phase 4: Installation
The final installation phase happens after construction is complete and properly cleaned up. You will leave your house for a day or two depending on the size of your project so that me and my team have time to put it all together and ready to WOW you. Ideally, everything can be installed in those one to two days, but realistically it may happen in a couple of spread-out phases due to delivery dates from the manufacturers. If that's the case, the goal is still to WOW you each time you come home to a new installation. I have always believed in leaving a place better than when you arrived, and this always fits that bill to the ninth degree!
How Long It Can Take: 1-2 days.
What's Next?
It can surprise you how long it takes to plan everything out, get contractors signed and set before you start to see any progress on the process. Trust me when I say that the project won't run smoothly if you rush into it! Costly mistakes can easily happen when rushing through a renovation. We avoid that and ensure a much more enjoyable process when we take our time. When you're busy running a business, it can be stressful to have your safe haven out of whack, I know it can. The end result, however, is such an elevation to your space and your ability to rest with your family and play friends that it will all be worth it in the end.
Ready for a home that supports your happiest life? Let's talk and see what we can create together.
Cheers,
Marcie
