Remodeling a bathroom is a challenging but rewarding project that demands a good deal of patience, planning, determination, and appropriate knowledge on your part. In fact, if you have been preparing to embark upon this challenging journey, some queries are likely to have come up in your mind regarding the same. For example, you might be wondering what the bathroom remodeling length will be.
It is important to mention that the process of renovating a bathroom is a very complicated one. Consequently, on average, the bathroom remodeling length can be much longer than most people anticipate early on. To further complicate things, understading the bathroom remodeling process is tricky and susceptible to errors.
Ironically, it is essential because, let’s face it, you can’t go about your daily activities generally for long unless your bathroom is appropriately functional. Unless you have several bathrooms in your house, having one incapacitated during renovation is highly undesirable.
Hence, you should at least have a good idea of the average bathroom remodeling length. You should also know what factors are influencing the same.
Pre-Construction Phase
Most people acknowledge only the prominently visible construction phase of a bathroom remodeling project. Nevertheless, you should know that the things that happen before the construction phase significantly impact the bathroom remodeling length. Let us take a detailed look at each of them.
Finalize the Deal on Your Property
This step is only for those who are in the middle of purchasing a new home. While beginning a renovation, many people tend to be in the contract or preparing to close on their new property. We recommend waiting until you finalize the deal and have the keys in your hand before proceeding any further.
Even if you are running short on time, you should at least wait until you have formally signed the contract. Hurrying through this step can land you in legal trouble later. Thus, constant vigilance on your part is crucial here.
Time: 1 to 3 months
Hire a Contractor and Discuss Your Project with Them
Before the bathroom remodeling project begins, you need to do some more work. Although you can go for a DIY approach in some aspects, the project’s inherent complexity demands you to choose a remodeling contractor.
Make sure you have a good idea of your own expectations and preferences before doing so. Go over your plans with them and measure the dimensions of the bathroom.
Clearly state the features you need and discuss their placements. By knowing these details, your contractor will be able to give you a rough estimate of the project’s cost as well.
Time: 1 to 4 weeks
Obtain Approvals and Permits
We should warn you that delays frequently tend to happen at this step. However, you cannot afford to ignore them. For example, if you need to modify the electrical or plumbing lines, you will require individual mandatory city permits.
People living in an apartment will require building board approvals as well. Don’t be disheartened because contractors usually know well how to navigate these steps without too much trouble.
With patience and a fair amount of luck, you will be able to obtain the required permits and approvals soon. Nonetheless, considering its variability, this step has a significant effect on the overall bathroom remodeling length.
Time: Highly variable
Order the Required Materials
With everything else finalized, you can start ordering the needed materials. Alternatively, you can ask your contractor to order them for you. Remember, though, that ordering customized cabinets or tiles from abroad can significantly prolong their delivery time.
As a result, your bathroom remodeling length could go up significantly. Thus, make sure you work with your suppliers and contractor to come up with a handy schedule. Try to ensure that it involves as few gaps in between as possible.
Time: 1 to 8 weeks
Construction Phase
Your contractor will handle the majority of the steps involved in this phase. However, you should be familiar with the details of the process as well.
Most importantly, you should know when to make payments to your contractor, as mentioned in your contract. Also, you must be prepared to keep your schedule open for answering queries regarding the construction work.
Demolition
Yes, this is the “fun” part of the remodeling process. However, you need a proper plan before you take it up as well. Namely, you should know which features you must retain and which ones you need to do away with.
Do not damage anything you will require in the future. For example, before removing the wall tiles, do not damage the plumbing lying inside the walls. You can save some time by removing every piece in sections. Also, you can opt for professional refinishing when it comes to countertops and tiles.
Time: 2 to 5 days
Make Plumbing and Electrical Adjustments
You must install new plumbing before moving around fixtures like the shower, sink, and toilet. For that, you have no choice but to hire the services of a professional plumber. Tell him where to install each of the fixtures, and ensure that they do it properly. You can also try to replace old piping if required.
If your bathroom’s layout is good enough, you can try choosing fixtures that go well with your existing plumbing. Therefore, you will be able to save the cost of hiring a plumber. You can also take this opportunity to direct your electrician to make any necessary electrical adjustments. Put up the exhaust fans and ventilation system as well.
Time: 1-2 days
City Inspections and Sign-Offs
If you had to get city permits, you might need inspections and up to two sign-offs before you can close up the walls. Although the process itself doesn’t take too long, scheduling the inspector’s appointment sometimes takes several days or weeks.
A master plumber can usually sign off on pipework for water lines if needed, but you mandatorily need an inspector’s approval for gas lines. In the case of electrical work, inspectors usually visit after the project has been fully completed.
Time: 1 hour (on-site)
Put up Drywall and Tiles
After the framework of your bathroom is in place, drywall can be put up as needed. You will also have to install moisture-resistant boards around sensitive areas like the shower or tub. After the walls are ready, you can install bathroom tiles, grout them, and seal as well.
Usually, this process takes up a week or so at most. It can take longer if there is additional work being done on the ceilings or drywall. After that, the bathroom walls need to be primed and painted with a tentative layer of paint.
Time: 1-2 weeks
Finishing Touches
Install anything else left, such as the vanity, tub, sink, toilet, and inbuilt shelves. Wind up the installation process by adding hardware and lighting at last.
After that, you can hire post-construction cleaning specialists to ensure that your new bathroom floor is in pristine condition. You can also ask them to clean up your entire house because the bathroom renovation tends to result in dust settling down everywhere.
Time: 2-4 days
Post-Construction Phase
These final steps are equally important, so make sure you give them due attention to avoid any delays in the bathroom remodeling length.
Review Everything and Make the Final Payments
Together with your contractor, make sure that everything is working as it should. Ensure that the doors, drawers, grout lines, and edges are all in good condition.
Prepare a “punch list” of whatever needs fixing, and ensure that your contractor attends it appropriately. That could take anything from a day to many weeks, depending on what the item is. Usually, the bathroom remodel takes longer when the concerned thing has been back-ordered.
Otherwise, your contractor should return and fix everything within a few days. After everything in your checklist has been sorted out, pay the remaining fees to your contractor.
Time: 1-5 days
Beware of Potential Complications
Always remember that the bathroom remodeling length can be affected by many factors. For example, you might discover mold or rot during the demolition process. Products may take longer than expected to arrive or turn up damaged and need to be replaced. You might end up facing scheduling conflicts with some contractors like carpenters or plumbers.
All these things can lead to delays in your bathroom renovation project. Nevertheless, you need not panic about them. They are simply problems that are encountered in every project. This article intends to give you a reliable outline of the expected length of a bathroom remodeling project’s various steps. Naturally, some factors could be entirely beyond your control.
What matters is the way in which you handle them. You need to be aware of potential obstacles and be prepared to deal with them in advance. Also, you can set aside more time to attend to them appropriately. With patience, prudence and determination, you can successfully achieve your dream bathroom remodel that will serve you well for a long time.
