How Long Will My Remodel Take?: Home Remodeling Timelines in Lancaster

Next to the cost of a home remodel, the most common question most homeowners ask is, “How long will my remodel take?”

While there’s no universal answer, the timeline of a home remodel depends on several key factors—including the project’s scope, your contractor’s process, the availability of materials, and how well everything is planned in advance.

Let’s break it down.

The #1 Factor That Impacts Your Remodeling Timeline

While remodels vary in size and complexity, one factor consistently has the biggest impact on your schedule:
 👉 Project Planning

Also known as project development, this stage involves gathering all the essential information before construction begins:

• Your goals and lifestyle needs
• Design preferences and style direction
• A clear scope of work
• Material and fixture selections
• Technical details like plumbing, electrical, and layout changes

Projects that are thoroughly planned in advance typically experience fewer delays and smoother production. In contrast, projects that skip or rush the planning process are far more likely to face delays, change orders, and communication breakdowns.

That’s why we follow a proven Design-Build process—a remodeling method that integrates detailed design with efficient construction.

A Step-by-Step Look at the Design-Build Remodeling Timeline

1. Contractor Research (duration varies)

Your remodeling timeline begins before design even starts—when you’re researching and selecting a remodeling company. Depending on whether you already have a reliable connection, or are starting from scratch looking for someone reputable to work with, the duration of this phase can vary.

Tools like Google Reviews, Houzz, and GuildQuality can help identify reputable local remodelers. We also recommend using a list of vetting questions to compare companies.

2. Consultation (1 hour)

Each contractor has a different consultation process. At McLennan Contracting, we begin with a short phone call followed by a free in-home consultation. This is your chance to share your goals, budget range, and timeline, and to get a feel for whether we’re the right fit for your project.

3. Preliminary Design (2-4 weeks)

After the initial consultation phase, we begin gathering the information needed to plan your project. This stage lays the groundwork for your design and investment planning. It includes the following steps:

• Scans and Programming Meeting
  We’ll begin with an on-site visit to capture detailed 3D scans of your space. We’ll also meet to discuss how you use your space, what you need, your style preferences, and your budget goals. 
  
  
• Preliminary Design Review
  Your Project Designer will be present a preliminary design for your project. This high-level design reflects your priorities and helps us build an early cost estimate.
  
  
• Preliminary Budget Review
  Once you’ve given a thumbs up to the initial design concept, we’ll create a preliminary budget. The purpose of the preliminary budget is to give you a general idea of where we expect your project cost to end up. (This preliminary budget will be customized and fine-tuned as selections and specifications are defined in the next stage, Design Development.)  

If the design concept and budget are aligned with your goals, we move on to Design Development.

4. Design Development (2-4 weeks)

Design Development is where we define the details and prepare to build you a beautiful space that will enrich your life at home. This part of the design process is a favorite for many clients, as it involves selecting the fixtures and finishes that will give your remodel a unique touch that’s truly yours.

Design Development involves several steps:

• Visit showrooms and select materials, fixtures, and finishes
  
  
• Update the scope of work based on your selections
  
  
• Refine the budget with accurate pricing and installation needs
  
  
• Finalize selections and review details so you understand what’s included

Once all selections have been finalized, the Project Designer will review the project with you from start to finish. Since you’ve been interacting with our project planning software all along, there will be no surprises at this meeting. Providing everyone is ready to move forward, it’s time to sign a Build Approval and move into pre-production! 

5. Pre-Production (duration varies)

Before construction begins, we handle all the behind-the-scenes work:

• Place orders for materials
  
  
• Coordinate with our production team and trade partners
  
  
• Adjust the schedule based on your availability, material lead times, and field crew logistics

This planning ensures your remodel starts and finishes smoothly, with minimal disruption.

6. Production

The duration of the construction phase depends on your remodel’s complexity. Here’s what you can typically expect:

Bathroom Remodel Timeline: 4–6+ Weeks

While bathroom remodels usually contain the same general features, the cost of a bathroom remodel, and how long it takes to remodel a bathroom, are both affected by changes to layout and mechanical elements.  

• Simple pull-and-replace: ~4 weeks
• New tile or minor layout updates: ~5 weeks
• Full layout change with plumbing updates: 6+ weeks

Kitchen Remodel Timeline: 6–10+ Weeks

As with bathroom remodels, for kitchen remodels the timeline—and the overall cost of a kitchen remodel—has a lot to do with how much rearrangement needs to happen with layout, mechanicals, and walls.

• Basic 12x12 kitchen update: ~6 weeks
• Pull-and-replace: 6–8 weeks
• Layout changes (no wall removal): 8–9 weeks
• Layout changes with wall removal: 10+ weeks
  

*Custom cabinetry and appliance lead times can also affect the schedule.

Basement Remodel Timeline: 4–8+ Weeks

Basement remodel costs and timelines can vary drastically simply because of the variables in scope of work. Some basement remodels are basic, one-room utility finishes for pleasant storage space, while others create multi-room living spaces, including a bathroom or laundry room.

That being said, here are some general guidelines for what to expect:

• Single open living area: ~4 weeks
• Multi-room basement with no plumbing: 4–6 weeks
• Adding a bathroom or laundry room: 6–8 weeks
  

Why Do Some Home Remodels Take Longer than Expected?

There are two main causes of a remodeling project taking longer than initially planned, and they are the same two things that cause most change orders.

1.  Homeowner-Requested Changes

   During construction, some homeowners decide to expand the project scope or make design changes. We’re always happy to accommodate—just keep in mind that additions may require extra time and schedule adjustments.

    

2. Hidden Issues in the Home

   Sometimes we uncover outdated or unsafe wiring, plumbing, or framing that must be corrected to meet code. While not ideal, these surprises are best addressed promptly for the long-term safety and success of your remodel.

Have Other Questions about How Long Your Remodel Will Take?

I hope this post has helped give you a general idea of how long your remodeling project will take, and what the process will look like. But since every project is unique, you’re bound to have additional questions! 

Our Project Consultants are here to help answer any questions you have about your potential project. Please feel free to schedule a free consultation, and let our team help discern your next step toward your remodeling goals.