Remodeling your bathroom is exciting but you may be wondering just how long it will take to happen. The timeframe is a worry of most homeowners, especially since it can change at any moment and very quickly too. Remember, materials may not all arrive at the same time and laborers may fall ill. There are many unpredictable and predictable events that can hold up your bathroom remodel project.
Being without a bathroom is near impossible for most families, especially for a long amount of time, so the answer to this question is so crucial. Before you even start your bathroom remodel, you want to make sure you are fully prepared to be without your bathroom for a given amount of time. Unless you are lucky enough to have multiple bathrooms in your home, you may find that a remodel is a complete inconvenience.
Below, we will look at how long a bathroom remodel can take and what you should expect along the way.
How Long Does It Take?
When looking at a complete bathroom remodel for a small bathroom, you can expect it to be completed in less than a month. In fact, the average amount of time is 23 days or less. This is also assuming that work is not completed on the weekend. You can expect it to be about 4 weeks total in time from start to finish. Now, if there are any hiccups in the road, you may find that the process takes longer than this. If unexpected issues do arise, you can expect a bathroom remodel to take as long as 9 weeks.
If you are not in need of a complete remodel, you can change out different aspects of your bathroom and it will not take near as long. For instance, replacing the sink, vanity, and mirror in the bathroom can take as little as a weekend and you would not be without use of the bathroom either.
What Will Affect My Bathroom Remodel Timeline?
As a homeowner, you should not expect the project to go smoothly without any hiccups. While many do go smoothly, it is not common and there will likely be a change or two. You do not want to have your expectations set so high that you are disappointed when a change does occur, so it is best to just prepare for them.
There are other factors that will affect the timelines of your bathroom remodel. Some of these factors include:
- Will you be doing the project yourself or will you have a contractor complete the project? The timeline for a remodel can be increased by completing the project yourself, especially if you already work full time. In these instances, you would need to find the additional time to complete the project, which may be quite limiting
- Will the remodel be a full rebuild or cosmetic only? A full rebuild will take significantly longer than a project where you are simply updated the look of the bathroom. Smaller cosmetic only changes can be done in a day or two whereas a full remodel takes time
- Are the materials available? The materials that you plan to use for your bathroom remodel may be backordered or out of stock. Are they custom ordered products? Using readily available products will ensure your project kicks off and runs as smoothly as it can. Custom ordered or backordered items can extend the project length
- If you hire a contractor, do they need to subcontract the work? If you are working with a single contractor, you may save some money, but you may end up with a longer timeline. If a contractor needs to subcontract out the work, your project may see a longer completion time
If you are working with a general contractor, they will be able to provide you with a good idea of the timeline needed to complete your entire bathroom remodel.
Know That the Unexpected May Occur
Below, we will provide you with a rough estimate of how long each step in the remodeling process should take. Of course, you need to be prepared for the unexpected because it can and will happen. Know that this is not a set in stone timetable and is only for reference. You can obtain an estimated timeline for your contractor. While a timetable can help provide you with some ease and reassurance, keep in mind that anything can happen at any time and any step in the process can be delayed.
- Demolition – About 2 to 3 days
- This process will include tearing out the current bathroom down to the nails and studs. This process can take longer depending on the size of your bathroom.
- Rough Carpentry – About 2 to 4 days
- If you need carpentry work completed, this is when it will be done.
- Plumbing – About 2 days
- If you plan to have a toilet or tub moved, you can expect this process to take the full two days.
- Electrical – About 2 days
- If you plan to leave the electrical the way it is, you may not need much work, if any, available. In addition, you may find that an experienced electrician can get the job done in just a day
- Inspection – About 1 day
- You will need to have your first inspection completed before the drywall can go up in the bathroom. Scheduling an inspector can take time, so while it only takes one day to get the inspection done, it can take several days to even schedule the inspector to come out
- Insulation – About 1 day
- Insulation should not take too long and may even be done as quickly as a half day. Some insulation will require an inspection, so be prepared for this as well
- Drywall – About 2 days
- Drywall will start to be hung as soon as the insulation is complete
- Finish Drywall – About 2 days
- Finishing the drywall means that the contractor will use joint compound, let it dry out, sand it, and even repeat the steps
- Painting – About 1 day
- This step can take about a day because the contractors will need to tape off the bathroom and then paint it and allow it to dry
- Inspection – About 1 day
- The final inspection will need to take place. Again, while the inspection will only take a day, it can take several days to actually schedule the inspector to come out to your home for the inspection process
- Flooring – About 1 to 2 days
- Flooring can be laid at this point. The exact timeline for your flooring will depend on if you choose a peel and stick style flooring, tile, or another option
- Cabinetry – About 1 to 2 days
- This process should be pretty quick as there are not that many cabinets within the bathroom area. If you purchase a prefabricated vanity, you may not even need to worry about this step
- Tiling on the shower walls, etc. – About 1 to 2 days
- Tiling the shower walls, bathroom walls, or even behind the sink can take a day or two as the grout and adhesive will need to dry completely
- Installing Fixtures – About 2 to 3 days
- This step will involve hooking up the sink, shower, tub, toilet, and any other fixtures you may have in the bathroom
- Miscellaneous – About 2 days
- These extra two days allow for a couple hiccups along the way
How to Speed Up a Bathroom Remodel
While there are aspects that you cannot control when it comes to your bathroom remodel, there are some things you can do to help speed your timetable along. Some of those include:
Do not make unnecessary changes – before you sign a contract, make sure it is what you want. You want to make sure you are 100 percent satisfied. Changes throughout the process can slowdown the project completely or even bring it to a halt if you were to choose a fixture that is out of stock at the time
Make your payments as soon as possible – you do not want a payment to be the hang up in your project, so make sure to pay everything on time, or, if you can, early
Stay available – having a difficult schedule to work around can put a damper on the timetable for your project and may mean that you do not get the remodel done quickly. Make sure that you return calls and texts about the project and keep your calendar a bit open
Remodeling Your Bathroom
Your bathroom remodel will take time, but it will be worth it in the end. Setting realistic expectations for yourself will help ensure that you are adequately prepared to be without your bathroom for some time.
As you start your bathroom remodel, think about your storage space situation too. If you are in need of more room during your remodel, consider a self-storage unit to assist you through the project.