Most homeowners ask, “How long will this take?” when starting home renovations, and get answers that measure different things. One contractor starts the demolition clock. Another includes permit wait time. A third assumes cabinets and tile are already selected. It’s no wonder people are left wondering, how long does it take to renovate a house, when they end up comparing incompatible timelines.
The issue isn’t honesty, it’s definition. Construction duration is one metric. The total project duration is another. The time between signing a contract and receiving a certificate of occupancy includes design, engineering, plan check, inspection gates, and selection deadlines that occur weeks before installation. Miss those dependencies and your schedule shifts regardless of how well the job site is run.
This guide separates preconstruction from construction, explains which milestones control your end date, and shows you how to backward-plan decisions so late selections don’t force resequencing. If you want a sequencing overview first, review a step-by-step renovation checklist that mirrors how projects actually unfold.
Missy’s Field Note
Expert Tip from Missy Barbera, General Contractor
“When a homeowner asks for a timeline, I ask them one question back: ‘Are you measuring from demo day or from contract signing?’ In North County, permit processing alone can add two to three months before a hammer swings. If you’re lining up temporary housing or school enrollment, you need the total elapsed timeline, not just the construction window.”
What “How Long” Actually Measures
When a contractor says “sixteen weeks,” clarify what that includes.
Most published schedules measure permit issuance to final inspection, the active construction window. That excludes design revisions, structural engineering, permit plan check, and long-lead ordering.
If you’re planning financing draws or temporary housing, you’re focused on the total elapsed time from contract signing to certificate of occupancy.
Day 1: Contract vs Permit vs Demo
- Contract signing starts preconstruction.
- Permit issuance authorizes work.
- Demolition day begins on-site activity.
Those dates can span 12–20 weeks before construction even begins.
Preconstruction vs Construction
Preconstruction includes:
- Architectural revisions
- Structural and civil engineering
- Energy compliance
- Permit submittal and correction cycles
- HOA review if applicable
In North County, plan check alone commonly runs 4–8 weeks, longer in coastal overlay zones.
Construction begins after permit issuance and runs through final inspection and punch list.
Substantial Completion vs Move-In
Substantial completion means the home is habitable. Final inspection and certificate of occupancy typically follow 1-3 weeks later.
If your lender or insurer requires a certificate of occupancy, plan around that date, not the substantial completion date.
Timeline Ranges by Scope
These assume no major concealed conditions and timely selections.
Cosmetic Refresh
No structural changes. No MEP relocation.
Construction: 6–10 weeks
Total elapsed: 10–14 weeks
Material lead times, especially cabinetry, often control this tier.
Partial Gut
Selective framing, kitchen/bath moves, window or door changes.
Construction: 12–18 weeks
Total elapsed: 20–28 weeks
Framing, rough MEP, insulation, and waterproofing inspections create schedule gates.
Full Gut
Down to studs. Structural changes. Complete MEP replacement.
Construction: 16–24 weeks
Total elapsed: 26–36 weeks
Engineering, soils review (if needed), and multiple plan-check cycles extend the preconstruction timeline.
If you’re considering that level of scope, see how whole-home projects are structured from day one.
Preconstruction Investigations That Save Weeks Later
Mid-project pauses are more expensive than upfront verification.
Common delay triggers:
- Asbestos or lead discovered after demo
- A failing sewer lateral was discovered during rough plumbing
- Structural conditions that don’t match engineering assumptions
- Soil requirements are identified after foundation work begins
Hazardous materials testing, sewer scoping, and structural verification during preconstruction shift risk earlier, where you control timing, instead of during active trade sequencing.
The Permit Pathway
Permit approval is a review cycle, not a single event.
Sequence:
- Submittal
- Plan check
- Corrections
- Resubmittal
- Approval
Each correction round adds 2-4 weeks. Coastal overlays, structural modifications, and square-footage additions trigger longer review durations.
Early zoning and feasibility checks prevent late-stage redesign that resets the clock.
Inspection Gates: Where Work Pauses
Construction doesn’t flow continuously. It stops at inspection gates.
Typical sequence:
- Foundation (if applicable)
- Framing / shear
- Plumbing rough
- Electrical rough
- HVAC rough
- Insulation
- Waterproofing (wet areas)
- Finals
Rough inspection failures are the most disruptive. Drywall cannot be closed until rough inspections pass. If drywall crews move to another job while waiting for reinspection, regaining their schedule may add 1-2 weeks beyond the correction itself.
Reinspection availability varies by jurisdiction. During peak seasons, scheduling lag and failure to correct labor create real delays.
The Selection and Decision Calendar
Late selections are the most common source of timeline drift.
Before Permit Submittal
- Structural system
- Window and door sizes
- Major plumbing layout
- Panel upgrades
Before Rough-In
- Cabinet layouts
- Plumbing fixture locations
- Appliance specs
- Electrical device placement
Cabinet design drives outlet locations. Fixture selection drives valve depth and drain placement. If you change these after rough-in, walls reopen, and reinspections follow.
If you’re expanding kitchens or bathrooms as part of a value-focused remodel, understand how the timing of your selections affects resale performance.
What Sits on the Critical Path
Not every activity controls your end date.
Critical path typically includes:
- Structural framing
- Window installation
- MEP rough inspections
- Waterproofing inspections
- Final inspection
Parallel work, such as painting, hardware, and punch list items, can flex slightly without shifting occupancy if critical path items are on schedule.
Exterior work introduces weather risk, especially in winter or during extended marine-layer moisture along the coast.
Living in the House vs Moving Out
Occupied remodels extend timelines 20-30%.
Trades work shorter days. Work phases sequentially instead of concurrently. Dust containment adds daily setup and breakdown time.
Moving out shortens the construction timeline but increases rental costs. Remaining in place avoids rent but increases duration and coordination overhead.
Temporary kitchens, phased bathroom sequencing, and dust containment strategies all affect total elapsed time.
Change Orders and Concealed Conditions
Concealed conditions don’t derail timelines due to labor; they derail them due to delayed decisions.
When structural rot or outdated wiring appears, the sequence is:
- Document
- Price
- Approve
- Correct
- Reinspect
If approval takes five days, trades demobilize. Regaining their schedule may take another week or two.
Fast decisions keep trades on site and preserve schedule integrity.
Comparing Contractor Timelines
Normalize proposals before comparing them.
Ask:
- Does the timeline include permit wait time?
- Does it include a punch list?
- Is substantial completion different from final completion?
- Are selection deadlines identified?
- Are inspection gates shown?
Then carry a contingency buffer:
- 15–25% for vacant remodels
- 25–30% for occupied remodels
This isn’t distrust, it’s logistics planning.
Final Thoughts
Renovation timelines are controlled by:
- Permit processing
- Inspection availability
- Selection timing
- Procurement lead times
- Decision speed during change orders
North County projects face coastal overlays, aging infrastructure, and jurisdiction-specific review layers that extend duration despite disciplined execution.
The homeowners who finish on schedule are those who separate preconstruction from construction, lock in selections early, and maintain realistic buffers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
Without structural changes, 8-12 weeks of construction plus preconstruction if permits are required. Cabinet lead times often control the critical path.
What’s the difference between construction time and total project time?
Construction time is from permit issuance through final inspection. Total project time includes design, engineering, plan check, and procurement before construction begins.
Why do coastal projects take longer?
Coastal overlay review adds agency layers and public notice periods. Smaller jurisdictions also have longer plan-check queues during peak seasons.
Can early selections shorten the timeline?
They prevent delay but don’t compress inspection sequencing. You remove procurement risk, you don’t eliminate construction gates.
What happens if inspections fail?
Corrections take days. Reinspection scheduling often adds 1-3 weeks. Rough inspection failures are the most disruptive because drywall cannot proceed.
How much contingency time should I plan?
15–25% beyond quoted duration for vacant remodels. 25–30% for occupied projects. Coastal properties and older homes tend to be at the higher end.
Does living in the house really extend the timeline?
Yes. Occupied projects typically run 20–30% longer due to phasing constraints, access limitations, and daily containment requirements.
What are the longest-lead items?
Custom cabinetry (10-14 weeks), windows (6-10 weeks), specialty appliances (up to 12 weeks), and natural stone fabrication (4-8 weeks).
How do I know if a contractor’s schedule is credible?
It separates preconstruction from construction, identifies inspection gates, sets selection deadlines, and clearly defines substantial vs. final completion.
If you’re planning a major renovation in North County, model the full timeline before you commit to contracts or temporary housing. The duration that matters isn’t just how long trades are on site; it’s how long your life is reorganized around the project.
Learn more about Skyhorse Construction’s structured planning approach here.