How to Plan a Home Renovation Timeline
Renovating your home is a big deal. There’s excitement, stress, budgets, and a lot of moving parts. Whether you’re tackling a single room or diving into a full house remodeling project, knowing how to plan a home renovation timeline can make all the difference.
Without a solid plan, things can spiral out of control quickly, leading to delays, cost overruns, or unfinished work. So, if you're a homeowner who’s about to start a home renovation, this blog post will walk you through how to make a realistic, stress-free timeline that keeps your project on track.
How to Plan a Home Renovation Timeline
Planning a home remodel timeline isn’t just about picking start and end dates; it’s about knowing what to expect and when. With the right plan, you can avoid delays, stay on budget, and actually enjoy the process.
Start With the Big Picture
Before you start mapping out every tile, paint colour, or cabinet handle, step back and figure out your “why.” Why are you renovating? That one question helps guide everything.
Maybe your family is growing and you need more space. Maybe you’re upgrading for resale. Or maybe it’s finally time to turn that 90s kitchen into your dream chef’s zone. Whatever the reason, be clear about your goals and scope.
This is also the time to decide if you’re doing a full home renovation, just one level, or even a condominium remodeling. Your renovation type will directly affect your timeline and how you plan each phase.
Build Your Dream Team Early
Once you know what you want to do, start looking for home renovation contractors or home remodelling contractors as early as possible. The good ones book out months ahead, especially in busy areas like Edmonton.
Your team might include:
A general contractor
An architect
A structural engineer
An Edmonton interior designer like Tailored Interior
Each one plays a key role in shaping your timeline. A designer helps you make decisions faster, a contractor creates the build schedule, and an engineer keeps everything safe and up to code.
Set a Realistic Renovation Budget
No renovation timeline can exist without a proper budget in place. Think of the timeline and the budget as twins: you can’t move one without affecting the other.
When planning your budget for house renovation, remember to include:
Labour and materials
Design and architectural fees
Permits and inspections
Temporary accommodations (if you need to move out)
A renovation budget buffer (10–20%) for surprises
If you’re not sure how to plan for major home expenses, talk to your contractor or designer. We’ve helped tons of clients in Edmonton figure out how to break down their renovation costs so there are no surprises halfway through.
How to Plan With Flexibility
Now that you know the stages, let’s talk about how to plan a home remodel timeline that actually works in real life. The biggest mistake homeowners make is underestimating how long each phase takes, especially when unexpected hiccups pop up.
Here’s how to build flexibility into your schedule:
Add Buffer Time
Plan for at least 10–20% extra time, especially if you’re doing a homeowners remodeling project in an older home. Things like weather delays, late deliveries, or permit setbacks happen all the time.
Approve Everything Early
Your contractor or designer can’t move forward without your decisions. Finalize your layout, tile choices, paint colours, and fixtures before construction starts to keep everything on schedule.
Communicate Weekly
Have a standing check-in with your contractor. Knowing what’s been done, what’s upcoming, and what might be delayed helps avoid surprises. If you're not hearing from your builder, don’t be afraid to reach out first.
Stick to the Plan
Changing your mind mid-renovation adds time, labour, and cost. Stick to your plan unless it’s absolutely necessary to change something. That’s where having a solid design and budget from the start pays off.
Breakdown of the Renovation Stages
Here’s a simple breakdown of the most common stages in a renovation and how much time you should expect for each.
1. Planning and Design (2–8 weeks)
This is where your designer works with you to nail down layouts, finishes, and floor plans. If you’re doing a full house remodeling, this part might take longer than a one-room job.
You’ll also need to apply for home renovation permits if your project involves plumbing, electrical, or structural changes. In Canada, particularly for Canadian home renovations, permits can take anywhere from a few days to a few months, depending on the city.
2. Material Ordering (3–12 weeks)
Don’t underestimate this part. Materials like custom cabinetry, tile, and light fixtures often have long lead times. Order them early so they arrive when your crew needs them. This step is often what causes delays when timelines aren’t planned properly.
3. Demolition and Prep (1–2 weeks)
Time to clear the space! Depending on the size of the project, this part can be done fast or take a while if your home has surprises behind the walls (think mould, outdated wiring, or old plumbing).
4. Construction (4–16+ weeks)
Here’s the main event. This stage includes framing, drywall, electrical, plumbing, flooring, cabinetry, and other components. Your home renovation contractors or renovation and construction team will provide you with a weekly plan, so you know what’s happening when.
Larger jobs, such as house renovations or multi-room builds, will naturally take longer than single-room updates. Keep communication open with your contractor every step of the project.
5. Finishing Touches & Inspections (1–2 weeks)
Once everything’s installed, it’s time for paint touch-ups, trim, and cleaning. Your project may also need final inspections, especially for structural or electrical work.
Full Timeline Examples
Here’s a rough idea of how long typical renovations might take when properly planned:
Bathroom Renovation: 3–6 weeks
Kitchen Renovation: 6–10 weeks
Basement Finishing: 8–12 weeks
Full Home Remodel: 4–8 months
Condominium Remodelling: 3–5 months (depending on strata rules)
Every project is different, but these timelines give you a general sense of what to expect when you’ve got a well-organized plan in place.
Tips for Homeowners Living Through a Renovation
Sometimes moving out isn’t an option, especially for smaller renovations. But living through a renovation takes a bit of strategy. Here’s what we suggest to our clients:
Set Up Temporary Spaces
If you’re redoing your kitchen, create a mini kitchen elsewhere with a microwave, toaster oven, and small fridge. For bathroom remodels, make sure at least one washroom is usable at all times.
Keep Pets and Kids Safe
Renovation zones aren’t safe for little ones or pets. Plan for pet boarding or childproof zones if you’re living at home during construction.
Limit Access to Work Areas
Seal off construction areas with plastic sheets or zip doors. This helps contain dust and keeps the rest of your house livable.
Final Words on the Home Remodel Timeline
Planning a renovation involves more than just selecting finishes and hiring contractors. It’s about knowing what needs to happen when, and how to handle surprises without blowing your budget or timeline.
When you start planning a home remodel timeline, remember to:
Start with your goals and budget
Build a realistic schedule based on the scope
Choose the right team early
Order materials ahead of time
Stay flexible and stay in the loop
At Tailored Interior, we help homeowners across Edmonton and Alberta with renovations that are actually completed on time (and look amazing). Whether you’re doing a house renovation, a kitchen remodel, or a full renovation and construction, we’re here to help turn your vision into something real.
FAQs About the Home Remodel Timeline
How long does a full home remodel usually take?
The duration depends on the scope and size of the home, but most full home remodel projects typically take between 4 and 8 months from start to finish. Larger homes or major layout changes can push timelines closer to a year, especially if you're doing structural work, moving walls, or adding square footage. Planning ahead and hiring experienced pros helps keep the project moving smoothly.
What causes delays in home remodels?
Common culprits include permit delays, material shortages, unexpected structural issues (like mould or outdated wiring), and design changes that occur during construction. Home remodel delays can also happen if homeowners don’t finalize design selections on time. Working with a proactive designer or contractor can help you anticipate most issues before they become big problems.
When should I hire a contractor for my renovation?
You should hire home remodeling contractors at least 2–4 months before your desired start date. This gives everyone time to create a solid plan, finalize the design, order materials, and get permits. Contractors also need time to coordinate tradespeople and schedule labour. Early booking gives you the best chance of locking in your preferred team.
Can I live at home during a renovation?
Yes, you can live at home during certain renovations, but it depends on the type and size of the project. Cosmetic updates are easier to live through than full-scale gut jobs. If you're doing a kitchen or bathroom remodel and it’s your only one, it might be worth temporarily relocating. Many homeowners choose to move out during messy phases, such as demolition, drywall, or flooring, to avoid dust, noise, and daily disruptions.
How do I make a renovation budget?
A comprehensive home renovation guide should factor in construction costs for labour and trades, material costs (such as flooring, tile, and lighting), design or architectural fees, permit and inspection costs, and a contingency buffer of 10–20% for the unexpected.
Planning your renovation budget is easier when you work with a pro who knows local pricing and can offer a realistic estimate. Whether you’re doing condominium remodeling or a full custom home project, it’s always smart to build in flexibility and have a clear financial plan before construction begins.