If you’re having your bathroom remodeled, the first thing you might wonder is- how long is this going to take? Not only can it be a challenge to figure out what the estimated time frame is because every project is different, but it’s also likely that unexpected things will come up and affect the timeline.

How long a bathroom remodel takes depends on a variety of factors. On average, the process takes between 5-8 weeks, but it can be longer or shorter, depending on the scope of your project. No matter what size your project is, choosing a contractor you can trust to get the job done as accurately and efficiently as possible is very important. 

What Factors Can Affect the Timeframe?

There will always be bumps along the road during a home remodeling project. Choosing someone you trust to do the work doesn’t mean that something won’t come up. But what are the factors that might affect the timeframe?

Here are some of the significant factors that are most likely to impact the timeline of the project:

The size of the project

Whatever unexpected issues may come up, the size of the project is going to impact the timeline. Are you having cosmetic work done on your bathroom? Or is the entire bathroom being stripped? If your contractor is rebuilding and starting from scratch, there’s a lot to prepare before they begin building the new parts of the bathroom. But minor cosmetic work can often be done within several weeks.

The availability of the materials

If there’s a delay in a remodeling project, it’s frequently due to materials. In some cases, all the necessary materials are readily available, and the project can move on as quickly. But in other cases, materials have to be ordered, so depending on shipping times, this could put your project back quite a bit.

How the work is done

When you’ve hired a contractor for your remodeling job, will they be subcontracting out to other professionals? The number of professionals involved in your project will impact the timeframe since they may all work different schedules.

How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take?

The most significant factor that will affect how long your bathroom remodel will take is how in-depth the project is. Typically, for a smaller project, it could take a little over a month to complete the remodel. But if any issues arise, or any unexpected problems with the home or materials come up, it could take twice as long. Unexpected obstacles could cause the remodel to span over two months.

It can be hard to wait while work is being done in your home, especially since there’s always some kind of disruption to your daily routine. However, it’s more important for things to be done the right way instead of the easy way. Choosing someone you trust means they’re going to get the work done as quickly as they can without sacrificing the quality of the work.

How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take?

The most significant factor that will affect how long your bathroom remodel will take is how in-depth the project is. Typically, for a smaller project, it could take a little over a month to complete the remodel. But if any issues arise, or any unexpected problems with the home or materials come up, it could take twice as long. Unexpected obstacles could cause the remodel to span over two months.

It can be hard to wait while work is being done in your home, especially since there's always some kind of disruption to your daily routine. However, it's more important for things to be done the right way instead of the easy way. Choosing someone you trust means they're going to get the work done as quickly as they can without sacrificing the quality of the work.

Process of a Bathroom Remodel

The process and timeframe of a bathroom remodel will depend on what your project looks like, but these are the general steps to your bathroom remodel.

Demolition

The first step is getting rid of the old to bring in the new. Demolition will typically take between 2-4 days, depending on the size of your bathroom, what story it's on, etc. 

INSTALLATION OF NEW Electrical & Plumbing

Once all the outdated elements have been removed, it's time to start building a new foundation. New electrical wiring and pipes will be added to your bathroom, but everything won't be connected yet. It will take the electrical and plumber between 2-4 days each for this process to be completed. 

Inspections

You'll have between 5-7 inspections throughout the project. The main inspections are rough framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, insulation, drywall, lath & waterproofing, and a final inspection. The inspection should take at most a day; however, scheduling issues may push back your timeline.

Insulation & Drywall

After insulating your bathroom, the work on the drywall can begin. The insulation won't take long since it's a smaller space than the rest of the house. Drywall work will include putting up the drywall, finishing the drywall, and repeating the process if necessary. 

Tile

Most of the bathroom remodels we complete have tile installed on the floor and shower walls. The average installation time is between 5-10 days. This can vary depending on several things, such as the type and size of the tile, the layout, and whether there are windows, niches & bench seats.

Paint

Now your new bathroom is starting to come together, and it's time to start painting. Since most of the planning takes place in the beginning, all that needs to be done is applying the paint, which can be done in a day or two. 

Cabinetry

Aside from the bathroom vanity and possibly a cabinet above a toilet, there usually aren't many cabinets involved in a bathroom remodel; they are, however, a critical part of getting the appearance you want. The cabinets are traditionally already assembled, so this part of the process generally doesn't take more than a day.

Countertops

Once the vanity has been installed it's time to get the countertop templated so the material selected can be fabricated and installed. While the template will usually take less than an hour, the time needed to fabricate and install them is about ten business days. 

Hookups

One of the last steps is hooking up everything - This includes installing any toilet, sink, tub, or other plumbing elements. The electric aspects will also need to be completed; these often include lighting, switches, outlets & a fan. Making sure all plumbing and electric work is ready could take 2-4 days.

Final Inspection

Your new bathroom is just about ready! Time for a final inspection and the addition of any miscellaneous accessories. Once the inspection is complete, your bathroom is now ready to be enjoyed for years to come.

OVERVIEW OF A BATHROOM REMODEL

Having your bathroom remodeled may seem like an overwhelming process. However, your contractor will help walk you through what the process looks like and provide you with a rough timeline. The entire process takes between 4-7 weeks on average, but there are many factors that can contribute to changes in the timeline. Be sure to add in some time for any unexpected bumps in the road, and be as flexible as possible when planning for your bathroom remodel. 

For more home-related tips, trends, and advice from Lewis Design Build Remodel, read our other blog posts or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. If you're ready to start your own remodeling project or are looking for more remodeling information, check out our pricing guides, frequently asked questions, or get in touch!