How long will my project take?

I used to be very wary of answering this question or others like it. “How much will it cost?” is even more dangerous.  My favorite answer to this 2nd one is in the form of another question, and comes from fellow BRHBA member and expert Asheville remodeler Gus Adams - “How many dollars worth of groceries can you fit into a grocery bag?”  Of course each project is different and surprises will arise, but I will offer the following timelines as a starting point for most situations.  Keep in mind these are from the first appearance of workers on site to final cleaning, and don’t include any of the preliminary design, pricing, permitting or administrative tasks.

Remodeling

Bathrooms - two activities that really add time to a bathroom schedule are custom glass doors and larger custom granite vanity tops that can’t be prepped before cabinet install.  Using off the shelf glass doors for showers or baths or ordering vanities that include pre sized tops and backsplashes can be a big time saver.  Tile work contributes a respectable amount of added time, especially when water tight assemblies like shower walls and pans are required.

• Half bath ~3-4 weeks

• Hall bathroom (full bath) ~6 weeks

• Master bathroom ~8 weeks

Kitchens - Factors contributing to increased duration here include moving appliances and fixtures to new locations, increasing the footprint of the space, structural changes (adding windows, removing walls, etc).  Countertops are a given for any kitchen remodel, though butcher block tops could be installed without delay after the cabinets are in place.  

• Kitchen update keeping the same basic layout ~ 8 weeks

• Changing layout, fixture locations, increasing the footprint, moving walls ~ 10 weeks

• Moving the kitchen into new space added on ~ 12 weeks

Whole Floor or Home Remodeling - When you want a kitchen or bathroom remodel (or addition) but have other jobs or finishes throughout the house you want to address, project duration shifts from weeks to months.

• Smaller scale multi room remodeling including all or part of kitchens, bathrooms, with minor structural reconfigurations ~10-12 weeks

• Wider whole floor or home remodeling with additions, major structural changes or repairs (similar to heavily Helene damaged homes) ~4-5 months

Additions

• Family room addition ~ 12 weeks

• Family/laundry addition ~ 14 weeks

• Master bedroom/bathroom addition ~ 16 weeks

New Construction is a world apart from the previous projects, because as I have mentioned in other posts, these are heavy on time spent on the front end with design, finish selections, pricing and working out all the details.  When considering time spent after breaking ground, duration is often lengthened due to tricky site conditions, septic, well or other utility considerations, and complexity of the home’s design.

• Small studio building/apartment ~ 10-12 weeks

• Full sized garage apartment ~ 4 months

• New home ~ 6-12 months

Before we begin any project, B Three Construction creates the project schedule, because time is valuable and failing to plan equals planning to fail.  Below is an example of one of our simple schedules.  Expect to see something to this level of detail before signing on with your contractor.