Our 5 Steps Full Home Remodeling timeline and Process
Undertaking a full home remodeling is not an easy task, it’s something that needs a lot of effort. One should be aware that the process involves many details, but you won’t truly know the exact timeline until the projects start and end. So, are you reconsidering the steps that are involved in the whole home remodeling process? If yes then this is the right place for you. Here’s our best 5 steps for a full home remodeling timeline and process.
Full Home Remodeling Steps
While this isn’t a comprehensive checklist, the following outlines the typical sequence of a whole home remodel. Although some steps may overlap, most must be completed in order—one step generally can’t begin until the previous one is fully finished.
1. The Core Team: Professionals You’ll Need for a Remodel
A successful home remodeling project relies heavily on the expertise of a skilled and well-coordinated team of professionals. However, each specialist plays an important role in ensuring that the renovation is structurally sound, aesthetically pleasing, and compliant with local building codes.
An architect is often the first professional to get involved, translating your vision into detailed plans and layouts that maximize space, function, and design. If structural changes are part of the remodel, a structural engineer steps in to assess load-bearing elements and ensure the integrity and safety of the building.
A designer then brings the creative vision to life, selecting materials, finishes, and layouts that align with your style and enhance livability.
Building surveyors may be required to inspect the property, provide reports, and ensure the project adheres to regulatory standards and zoning requirements.
Finally, the general contractor acts as the project manager, overseeing day-to-day operations, coordinating between trades, managing the timeline and budget, and ensuring the work is executed to plan. Together, these professionals form the foundation of a well-executed remodeling project, turning your ideas into a beautifully realized space.
2. Design & Architectural and Structural Drawings
Design, architectural, and structural drawings are the blueprint of any successful home remodeling project, serving as the foundation upon which every decision and construction step is based.
Design drawings focus on the aesthetic and functional layout of the space, capturing your vision through floor plans, interior layouts, finishes, lighting, and furniture placement. These drawings help visualize how the final space will look and feel.
Architectural drawings, on the other hand, provide a more technical representation of the remodel. They include detailed plans, elevations, sections, and dimensions that guide the construction process, ensuring everything from room proportions to window placements aligns with building codes and design intent.
Complementing these are structural drawings, which are critical when the remodel involves altering or removing load-bearing walls, adding new levels, or expanding the footprint of the home. These plans, typically created by a structural engineer, detail the framework of the building—such as beams, columns, and foundations—to ensure the structure is safe and sound.
Together, these drawings create a comprehensive roadmap that minimizes errors, facilitates accurate budgeting and planning, and ensures a seamless construction process from start to finish.
3. Obtaining permits
Obtaining the necessary permits is a crucial step in any home remodeling project and should never be overlooked. Permits ensure that the work being done complies with local building codes, safety regulations, and zoning laws, protecting both the homeowner and future occupants.
Depending on the scope of the renovation, you may need various types of permits—such as those for structural changes, electrical upgrades, plumbing work, or additions to the home. The process typically involves submitting detailed plans and drawings to your local building authority for review and approval before any work begins.
While it may seem time-consuming, securing the proper permits helps prevent costly fines, construction delays, and potential legal issues down the line. Moreover, having permitted work can add value to your home and ensure a smoother process if you decide to sell in the future.
In most cases, your general contractor or architect can assist with or handle the permit application process, ensuring all documentation is in order and inspections are scheduled as needed throughout the project.
4. Timeline for remodeling the different rooms
Creating a realistic timeline for remodeling different rooms in your home is essential for managing expectations and keeping the project on track. Each space has unique requirements, which means the time needed to complete renovations can vary significantly from room to room. For example, a kitchen remodel—often one of the most complex—can take 15 to 20 working days or more due to plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, and appliance installations.
Bathroom renovations typically range from 15 to 20 working days, depending on the extent of the changes and material availability.
Living rooms and bedrooms, being less infrastructure-intensive, usually require 7 to 10 working days, primarily focused on flooring, painting, lighting, and decor. Larger projects, such as basement conversions or full home renovations, may take several months, especially when structural changes, permitting, or inspections are involved.
It's also important to factor in potential delays due to material lead times, weather conditions, or unforeseen issues uncovered during demolition. Working with an experienced contractor can help you develop a clear timeline, coordinate trades efficiently, and minimize disruptions, ensuring each phase of your remodel progresses smoothly from one room to the next.
5. Expect Delays and Added Costs When Designs Change
One of the most common and often underestimated reasons for delays and budget overruns in home remodeling projects is mid-project design changes. While it's natural for homeowners to refine their vision as the work progresses, altering the design after construction has begun can have a significant domino effect.
Changes may require revising architectural or structural plans, reapplying for permits, ordering new materials, or even undoing completed work - all of which take time and increase costs.
Additionally, design changes can disrupt the contractor’s schedule, leading to delays as tradespeople are rescheduled or materials are put on backorder. In some cases, even small adjustments can lead to unexpected labor or supply chain complications.
To minimize these issues, it's essential to finalize your design as thoroughly as possible before construction begins, working closely with your architect, designer, and contractor to anticipate needs and prevent surprises.
While flexibility is important, understanding that every change—no matter how minor—can affect both the timeline and the budget will help you make more informed decisions throughout your remodeling journey.