October 7, 2022 •Brian Hogan
After the kitchen, the main bathroom is the most functional, high-use room in any home. It’s also one of the rooms that most homeowners want to keep as fully updated as possible — from toilets, tubs, showers, and sinks to flooring, fixtures, storage, and lighting, the right design approach can transform your primary bathroom from a utilitarian space to a relaxing retreat.
The first thing most people want to know is “How much does a full bathroom remodel cost these days?” A new main bathroom can be a wonderful upgrade to your home that carries a high return on investment (ROI), meaning you can expect to recoup at least half of every dollar you spend on your project in the form of added home value.
While a stellar ROI can certainly take the sting out of paying for a pricey bathroom renovation, you may still be wondering how long you’ll have to wait for your new bathroom to take shape once you choose the right general contractor for your job.
When you choose a full-service design-build firm like Hogan Design & Construction, you can expect open communication and a detailed timeline every step of the way. Here’s what you need to know about the three-step process leading up to demo and construction, the average length of time it takes to deliver a complete bathroom renovation, and what a typical timeline for a small bathroom remodel project might look like.
Three Steps Leading Up to Your Bathroom Renovation
It’s one of the most pressing questions on every homeowner’s mind as they embark on a major bathroom update: How long will it take? While the answer depends on various factors, you can expect to go through three distinct phases before demo and construction begin.
After you’ve gone through the exploratory process and selected the design-build firm or contractor you’d like to work with, you’ll lay the groundwork for the bathroom remodeling project itself (the final construction phase).
1. Design and budget
When remodeling a bathroom, what comes first? The design and budgeting phase, which encompasses all the design work required for your bathroom renovation, including architectural drawings, total design planning, as well as estimating work. It also includes setting rough budgets for your bathroom remodel project. Envisioning your dream bathroom during this phase is crucial to achieving a beautiful and functional space.
2. Estimation and bidding
If you are working with a reputable design-build firm, your team will be estimating the cost of construction during the design phase, gradually narrowing in on the final price tag as you make decisions and finalize your plans. Before you sign a construction contract, you will be presented with a fixed price for your project. During this process, the scope of work is finalized and detailed out, and the construction contract is presented and signed.
3. Setting the construction phase schedule
Finally, your production manager takes 2-8 weeks to finalize construction plans (ordering materials and scheduling subcontractors), submit for permits, determine a start date, schedule site visits and detail your project schedule with step-by-step timeframes and deadlines.
How long does the actual construction take?
When people inquire about the total timeline of a full bathroom renovation, they usually want to know how long active construction will last — or basically how long they’ll have to use the extra bathroom at the end of the hall or downstairs. Most bathroom remodels typically take between 3 to 8 weeks to complete, depending on the complexity and scope of the work involved.
Average timeframe for a full bathroom renovation
Although it depends on the scope and finish level of the specific project, the construction phase of the average full main bathroom renovation takes between 5-7 weeks, from demo to completion.
Possible timeframe for a full bathroom renovation
From the first day of demolition of your old bathroom to the final walk-through, your bathroom renovation could take a bit less — or substantially more — time than average. Some bathrooms may take as little as 3-4 weeks to finish, while others take 9-10 weeks, or even longer.
For example, if you aren’t changing the footprint of your bathroom, altering or adding new electrical or plumbing, using new flooring or choosing custom tiling or vanities, it’s reasonable to expect that your renovation will take less time.
If, however, you’re significantly altering your bathroom layout, doing a full gut renovation, opting for imported materials with lengthier delivery times, or if you simply change your mind about your original material choices somewhere along the way, your renovation could take substantially longer with a few delays.
Factors Affecting the Timeline
The timeline of a bathroom remodel can be influenced by several factors, including the current condition of the bathroom, the scope of the project, and the number of contractors involved.
Current Bathroom Condition
The condition of your current bathroom can significantly impact the timeline of your bathroom remodel. If your bathroom is in good shape, with no major issues such as water damage or structural problems, the project may take less time to complete. On the other hand, if your bathroom requires significant repairs or renovations, the project may take longer to complete.
For example, if your bathroom has outdated plumbing or electrical systems, these may need to be updated before the bathroom remodel can begin, adding to the overall timeline for plumbing work. Similarly, if your bathroom has water damage or mold, these issues will need to be addressed before the remodel can proceed.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Another factor that can affect the timeline of your bathroom remodel is whether you choose to DIY certain aspects of the project or hire a professional. While DIY projects can be cost-effective and allow for more control over the project, they can also take longer to complete, especially if you are not experienced in construction or remodeling.
On the other hand, hiring a professional contractor can ensure that the project is completed quickly and efficiently, but may be more expensive. Ultimately, the decision to DIY or hire a pro will depend on your budget, skills, and preferences.
The Average Bathroom Renovation Timeline
Here at HDC, we use an online project management system which allows you to monitor the construction and renovation progress and see everything that we see. Your project manager will reach out to keep you updated on any changes, and is never more than a phone call away during the construction process for any questions you may have.
A typical timeline for an average small bathroom remodel might look something like this:
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Demolition: 2 days
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Rough carpentry: 2 days
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Plumbing rough-in: 1-2 days
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Electrical rough-in: 1-2 days
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First inspection: 1 day
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Insulation: Half a day
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Hang drywall: 1 day
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Finish drywall: 1 day
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Paint: 1 day
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Tile work: 2 days
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Bathroom floor: 2 days
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Cabinetry and trim: 1 day
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Hookups and fixtures: 2 days
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Final inspection: 1 day
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Miscellaneous: 1.5 days
The total number of days in this idealized timeline (23) doesn’t include “dead days” that may occur because of unexpected issues, and assumes that work continues from one task to the next without lag time in between. Since work isn’t done on weekends or holidays, a 23-day timeline would translate to about 4-5 weeks.
The Bathroom Remodeling Process in a Nutshell
The bathroom reno process typically involves several stages, including pre-construction, construction, and post-construction.
Pre-construction Phase
The pre-construction phase is the initial stage of the process. During this phase, you will work with your contractor to plan and design your new bathroom, including selecting materials, fixtures, and appliances.
This phase can take several weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the project and the number of stakeholders involved. It’s essential to take your time during this phase to ensure that your design and plan are accurate and meet your needs.
Some of the tasks that are typically completed during this phase include:
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Measuring the bathroom space and creating a design plan
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Selecting materials, fixtures, and appliances
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Creating a construction schedule and timeline
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Obtaining necessary permits and approvals
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Preparing the bathroom space for construction
By understanding the factors that affect the timeline of your bathroom remodel and the different stages of the remodeling process, you can better plan and prepare for your project, ensuring that it is completed on time and within budget.
Get Started with Our Comprehensive Pricing Guides
At HDC, we believe that open communication and accurate, comprehensive information are key to the success of every remodeling project. Our detailed pricing guides can help you understand what to expect when you begin conversations surrounding your planned home renovation project:
Our guides offer price ranges based on current Chicagoland area building and remodeling cost estimates, as well as our own 20+ years of experience within the industry.
We serve bathroom remodel and home renovation clients in northern Illinois (including the far western Chicago suburbs of Naperville, Hinsdale, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Geneva, Batavia, and St. Charles) as well as southern Wisconsin (Lake Geneva, Lakes Delavan, and Fontana).
If you're ready to take the first step toward your new and improved main bathroom, give us a call today or fill out our easy online contact form any time. We're ready to help you make your dream space a reality.
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