Make no mistake – remodeling your bathroom is a big job. There are so many details that go into it, so many decisions have to be made.
As with any remodeling job, timing and planning are critical. Working with a reputable design-build contracting firm can minimize the stress and ensure you get the result you are hoping for.
To better understand how long your bathroom remodel is going to take, let’s look at the processes involved:
Understanding Your Vision
First things first. We will meet with you to find out more about your remodeling ideas. During this initial stage, we want to learn about your goals, your budget, and your timelines for the project. We need to see the site in person so we can have a better idea of what’s involved. Knowing this, we will be able to get a rough idea of how much time it will take to give you the bathroom of your dreams.
The more extensive the work to be done, the more time and money it may take to complete.
Some of the things that might increase the timeline on your remodel include:
Relocating the plumbing and ventilation: if we are keeping your shower, sink, and toilet in pretty much the same place, it will reduce the time considerably. If we have to relocate your plumbing, move a window, or change the airflow in the room, more time will be needed to allow for permitting, demolition, and necessary inspections.
Moving/removing walls: if we are enlarging the bathroom or doing any demolition work, it will add to the timeline. When taking down walls in older homes, we may encounter surprises that will need to be addressed. These situations are difficult to plan for, but we always keep the lines of communication open so you will know exactly what’s going on at all times.
Adding under-floor heating: under-floor radiant heat will require us to remove and replace the existing floor, which is always a big job. Once we install the heating system, a new floor is placed overtop. Depending on what type of flooring you choose, this could add time.
Specialty or custom materials: whether it’s a tile that needs to be shipped from Italy or custom cabinetry that is being made to order, the selections you make could add to your remodel timeline. We will work with you to ensure that demolition doesn’t start until your selections arrive. That way, the process will proceed quickly, and delays will be minimized.
Simple Bathroom Makeovers
If we are just giving the bathroom a facelift, most of the work is cosmetic. This means that even if we are retiling and replacing fixtures, we can probably be out of there, start-to-finish, in about three to five days. While this is just a ballpark figure, it does not take into account any unknowns we may encounter along the way or any changes that you may instigate during the process.
Full Bathroom Remodels
In a full bathroom remodel, the scope of the work is much more complicated. The work will be more extensive, there will be demolition involved, and permits will have to be obtained. Permits mean inspections, and this is something that can definitely slow things down.
While we have excellent relationships with inspectors in Maryland and DC Metro, we can’t predict exactly what their timelines and workload might be.
Additionally, since we will be moving plumbing, electrical, and possibly ductwork, there are a lot of things to think about. Demolition, installation, cleanup, inspections, utility shutoffs and reconnection, tiling, painting, finishing – these are all time-consuming processes.
Assuming nothing goes wrong, we will be able to give you an estimate of how long your bathroom remodel will take. But, unless we know exactly what we’re dealing with, it’s impossible to predict with great accuracy. If we include holidays, weekends, inspections, and adding in a little extra time for the unknown, a full bathroom remodel can take up to five weeks to complete.
How We Ease The Stress During Your Remodel
Ultimately, we want your bathroom remodeling experience to be as painless and stress-free as possible. Our design-build approach ensures that we are prepared for every possibility. While we don’t have a crystal ball, we are always very up-front about any challenges we encounter along the way.
We will set up containment barriers to minimize the dust and noise and will do our best to make sure we don’t disrupt your family’s daily routine.
Are you thinking about a bathroom remodel? We’d love to show you how we can help. Reach out today to learn more about what we do and how we do it.
