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How long will it take? It is the first question after the price, and the answer depends on the scope of work. These are our averages for a kitchen and for a bathroom, and each has a page that sets out the stages in order. Both are counted from the day the approvals and the permit are in hand: a board’s review and the city’s come first and run on their own time.
| Project | Average time | The stages, step by step |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 6 to 10 weeks | Kitchen remodel timeline |
| Bathroom renovation | 4 to 8 weeks | Bathroom remodel timeline |
Kitchen renovation timeline
An average kitchen remodel takes between 6 and 10 weeks, depending on the scope and complexity of the project. The cabinets are ordered during preparation, before demolition starts, because the cabinet layout guides the plumber and the electrician. The counters come late: the template for them is made once the cabinets are in. Every stage is on the kitchen remodel timeline.
Bathroom renovation timeline
An average bathroom renovation takes between 4 and 8 weeks, depending on its scope and complexity. The vanity and the medicine cabinet are ordered first. The wet areas get cement board, and the floor and the shower area are waterproofed before any tile goes on. Every stage is on the bathroom remodel timeline.
The stages every project shares
- Preparation. With the permit acquired, the construction schedule is set, water, gas and electricity to the room are disconnected, and the surrounding areas are protected against dust.
- Demolition. The old cabinets, counters, tile and plaster come out, and the remaining debris is swept and vacuumed.
- Framing. Walls are framed for new doors and cabinetry, and the framing is checked for level and evenness.
- Mechanical. An electrical walk-through with you confirms the lighting, switches and outlets. Drains and water supplies are installed, and the wiring, plumbing and framing are inspected.
- Finish installation. Wallboard and plaster, trim, waterproofing, flooring, cabinets, tile, painting and the final plumbing and electrical connections, then a final cleanup and a walk-through.
What decides how long it takes
Scope and complexity come first: a kitchen that keeps its layout is quicker than one that loses a wall. After that it is mostly the building and the city.
- Working hours. The city allows construction between 7 am and 6 pm on weekdays. A co-op or condo may allow less, and a shorter day means a longer job.
- Approvals. A co-op or condo board reviews the plans, and the Department of Buildings asks a representative of the board to attest that it has authorized the filing. None of that time is inside our averages.
- The age of the building. A building constructed before April 1, 1987 needs an asbestos assessment before a permit is issued.
- Landmark status. In a landmark building or a historic district, interior work that needs a building permit also needs the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s approval.
- Your decisions. Cabinets, tile and fixtures chosen early are on site when we need them.
More on each of these is on our questions page.
Two timeframes from one client
One of our clients had us gut a kitchen and later a bathroom in the same pre-war co-op, and timed both. He was quoted 10 weeks for the kitchen, which included removing a 15-foot concrete wall, and wrote that we finished in 10 weeks and 1 day. The bathroom, with the floor and walls re-tiled, took 4 weeks. His whole account is on our testimonials page.
Want a time frame for your own kitchen or bathroom? Call us and describe the job.
Questions people ask
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
An average kitchen remodel takes between 6 and 10 weeks, depending on the scope and complexity of the project.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
An average bathroom renovation takes between 4 and 8 weeks, depending on the scope and complexity of the project.
When do we set the schedule?
At the start. Every job begins with a meeting to discuss pricing, demolition, design and scheduling, and to set a time frame, and the construction schedule is established during preparation.