How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take?

The bathroom is an essential component of any house, without which we’d all be up a creek without a paddle. Many homeowners recognize the importance of remodeling a bathroom, as it both adds resale value to the house, provides a solid return on investment, and will enhance the quality of life for those living there. However, a bathroom remodel can be a major inconvenience for a family, so it’s important to fully understand the timetables involved.

Timing the Bathroom Remodel

That’s why those who are contemplating a bathroom remodel job should always plan ahead and look into how long it will take to be completed. In a perfect world, where nothing goes wrong and all materials are quickly and easily available, an average job remodeling a normal bathroom takes between 20 and 30 working days, which is about 4-6 business weeks. Especially for families with only one bathroom in the house, this could be a major problem. However, some remodeling jobs will go piece by piece, allowing you to still use part of the bathroom, there may be other bathrooms available, or you may have to rely on family, friends, or a hotel during this time. When it’s all said and done though, you’ll have a beautiful, modern bathroom that adds value to your home and life.

Delays and Difficulties

However, the 20-30 days of labor may be extended, as in reality, things rarely go perfectly smoothly. It’s best, if you're working out your plan for the remodel, to assume that parts may be delayed, mistakes may be made, workers may show up late or not at all, people can get sick, or you may change your mind about certain aspects of the job. Any of these circumstances can delay the project, even doubling the length of time it can take. This means you could be out of a bathroom for 2-3 months, instead of just 1-1.5. Always expect the unexpected, and it will leave you in a better position when things inevitably go slightly off course. Of course, this isn’t an exact science. There are, no doubt, bathroom remodels that have gone off without a hitch, smoothly, in a series of weeks - especially for those willing to pay for it. However, it’s always best to plan and prepare for the worst, and that way you won’t experience any unpleasant or inconvenient surprises.

The Timetable

Let’s take a look at an idealized schedule for a bathroom remodel. Assuming no major issues or supply chain breakdowns, a bathroom remodel should look something like this:

• Demolition

The first step is to tear out the old, to make way for the new. This is a hard, messy job that can be extended if being done on a second story or under other adverse conditions. Plan on 2-4 days for this.

• Carpentry

Depending on the thoroughness of the demolition work and the state of the underlying wood, this job can take between 1-4 days.

• “Rough-in” plumbing and electrical

For those not familiar with construction terminology, to rough-in piping or electrical work means to set it up without actually connecting and turning on the utilities. This can take 4-8 days of work.

• Insulation, drywall, and painting

Time to start putting it all back together. Once you’ve demolished the old, installed the new, and had it all inspected, you can begin working on the walls. Because of the small size of a bathroom, these jobs go quicker than other rooms in the house, but still plan on 5-10 days for putting up insulation, hanging and finishing drywall, and painting. Things to keep in mind here are that some locations may require insulation inspections, and the process of finishing drywall requires using joint compound, sanding, and letting it dry.

• Tile, flooring, and cabinetry

For this step, you’ll have to rely on parts being shipped, so make sure that your orders aren’t experiencing any delays or shortages. Plan on 3-6 days to see the final results of the tiling and other hardware like a vanity being installed. This is the last step in construction, where the new layer of materials is placed over the bare bones of the construction.

• Final Inspection

This should be a quick job, but with labor shortages and other issues you might experience, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and schedule this in advance if possible. Some locations may require more inspections than others, so be sure to follow all applicable rules. Plan on 2-4 days for inspections.

• Hookup

Time to get it running! Hooking up the toilet, sink, electrical, and other utilities should take 1-2 days. The end result here is about 35 working days, with a little more room needed for inspections and any other delays. Generally, this should be an accurate timetable, but always be prepared for contingencies! Bathroom remodel jobs are an excellent way to improve your quality of life and add resale value to your home. Everyone loves a hot shower after work, so treat yourself to the luxury you deserve, and schedule a bathroom remodel consultation today.