How Long Does it Take to Renovate a Bathroom? (On Average)

Bathroom remodels are super exciting. Odds are you’ve been waiting and saving money for years so you can finally remodel your bathroom. You’ve probably got some different samples picked out and many ideas of what you like in a bathroom. But how long does it take to remodel a bathroom, and what goes into the waiting process? Whether you’re a longtime homeowner or you’re trying to flip a house, nobody wants to be waiting around for a bathroom remodel to be completed.

Today we’re breaking down everything that goes into one of these remodel projects and how long you can expect to wait for one to be completed.

Key Factors that Affect Remodel Time

Several different factors can affect and determine how long your remodel takes, but thankfully, there are some things that can be within your control. Among all of the different individual factors, here are the big themes to take note of.

Cosmetic vs. Renovation

When you’re remodeling a bathroom cosmetically, it’s always going to move much more quickly than a full renovation. Cosmetic remodels will mean installing new tile, repainting, and even fixing up vanities or other similar elements.

Renovations involve adding space, redesigning the function of the bathroom, and possibly needing to do plumbing and electrical work as well. Renovations take significantly longer because of this, and there’s also the added time of the design phase. It is also good to keep in mind that most renovations will require a permit.

DIY and Hiring

If you’re planning on taking on some of the projects yourself, you’ll need to take into account how much time you’ll be able to dedicate to it. How fast you get your side of the project done will determine how fast the remodelers can come in and get things done.

When you’re hiring a contractor like Homeworx, you’ll have to check and see what their availability is like. How much time will they have in their schedule to fit your project in, and will you need to wait for different steps in the process such as design, inspections, and the like.

Are Materials Ready to Go?

Materials are the last thing that can really tie up your project. Thankfully, with today’s technology, most homeowners can find the materials they want in their house without spending too much time searching. But, if that product you love just so happens to be out of stock and you’re stuck waiting for it to arrive, you’ll be in trouble.

To keep your project running smoothly and not waiting on materials ordering them ahead of time is a great option. That way, they can be ready to go and at your home before your contractors even get started.

Plan for the Unexpected Problems

Unexpected problems seem to always come up when it comes to remodeling a bathroom. If you’re a longtime homeowner, the chances are that your house is probably going to have some kind of problem with the plumbing or electrical system.

Even if you’re renovating a home to sell, there’s always the chance that something won’t go as planned, and one of your contractors will find something that they weren’t expecting. These types of problems can really slow you down and impact the cost associated with the remodel. Bathrooms in particular often pose problems with mold and other similar issues.

The best way to set your project up for success is to set a little extra money aside and plan for a little more time so that you can have any issues fixed if they’re found.

How Long Does it Take to Remodel a Bathroom: Estimating a Time Frame

But still, you’re probably wondering how long your bathroom remodel is going to take. How many hours do you need to set aside, and how long should you expect to have contractors running in and out of your house? Here’s a quick breakdown:

Demo and Tear Down – 2 Days

The demo can be a lot of fun at first, but when it comes to completing the job, it’s actually very time-consuming and tedious. This is one of the parts of the project that is often DIY-friendly. Just remember that your contractors can’t start until the demo is all finished.

Rough-Ins – 6 Days

Next are the rough-ins. This portion of the project can take a long time, but it’s important that it’s all done correctly. Different rough-ins that need to happen include carpentry, electrical, and plumbing. Depending on how big your project is, the amount of time can change.

First Inspection – 1 Day

Your first inspection on the project will focus mostly on plumbing and electrical. The inspector is going to make sure that everything in your bathroom is up to code and good to start covering up and hiding behind sheetrock.

Insulation, Hang, and Finish Drywall – 3 Days

When the inspection checks out, you’ll be able to insulate the walls and start hanging the sheetrock or drywall. This process can be quick, depending on the size of your bathroom. The most time-consuming part of this process will be finishing and mudding the drywall.

Paint – 1 Day

After your drywall is all dried, you’ll be good to start painting. If you hire professional painters, they’ll be able to wrap it up quickly in just a few hours, and then the rest of the day, it will need to dry. However, painting is another portion of the project that works well as DIY!

Tile and Trim Work – 3 Days

Installing the tile floors and grouting them is next on the list. If you have the tile at your home and ready to go, the contractors will be able to come in and set the tile on one day and then grout it all the next day. Following the tile, the trim can be installed. Trim is fast and easy in a bathroom, especially for a trained carpenter.

Cabinetry and Hookups – 3 Days

When the floors are all set up, you’ll be ready to get the cabinets, vanity, and toilet in place. Some homeowners or contractors might choose to install these items before tile, while others will do it after. Ultimately that part of the process is up to preference. During this phase, all of the water hookups will be made and tested as well.

Final Inspection – 1 Day

Your final inspection will serve the purpose of making sure all of the craftsmanship is up to code and ready for you to enjoy. This is also a good time for you to do a walkthrough and check to make sure that there aren’t any eyesores or issues that you can spot. While any decent contractor will happily take care of any issues you may find later, it is easiest if you catch them right away.

Get Your Bathroom Remodel Done Fast

Getting your remodel done quickly, on time, and with excellent craftsmanship is extremely important. We want to help you do just that. Our team at Homeworx can handle any bathroom remodel from big to small, and we’re ready to provide you with that service.

Reach out to us today to learn more about the services we offer and to get a free estimate from our team!