How long does it take to remodel a bathroom?

Bathrooms are among the most popular home remodeling projects. Not only is it just nice to have a high-quality bathroom at home, but bathroom remodels offer some of the highest return on investment of any home improvement project. In 2022, the rate of return was 53 to 58% of the project’s cost added to the home’s value. The National Association of Realtors cites that some bathroom remodels recoup up to 71% of their cost.

Bathroom remodels make your home more comfortable and more valuable, but they can be time-consuming and frustrating. So, is this project right for you?

How long does a bathroom remodel take?

Like any home improvement project, the time it takes depends on the size of the project. A small bathroom remodel can be done in three to four weeks, while larger ones may extend up to six weeks. Generally, you should expect most bathroom remodels to take at least a month.

Factors impacting remodel time

Few home improvement projects go exactly as planned. While you may plan for a month, expect to extend that timeline. There are many factors that can impact a bathroom remodel timeline, and they usually make it take longer.

• Nature of the remodel: A cosmetic remodel doesn’t take nearly as long as a complete rebuild.
• DIY: If you’re doing the work yourself, it’s going to take longer than if you hire a contractor.
• Number of contractors: Bathroom remodels may require electricians, plumbers, and carpenters — each of whom can’t work while another is there. If you’re working with several independent contractors, expect the job to take longer than if you hire a building company with support for all of your building needs.
• Materials: If you’re using stock materials, they’re probably available quickly. But special-order goods like imported ceramic tile may delay a project as you wait for it to arrive.

The bathroom remodel timeline

Not all bathroom remodels will operate on the same timeline. But generally, a bathroom remodel can be broken down into three primary phases: pre-construction, construction, and post-construction. Let’s look at what’s included in each and how long you can expect to spend in each phase.

Pre-construction

The first phase is pre-construction. During this period, you’ll figure out what you want to do, gather materials, hire contractors, create plans, and acquire permits. Expect it to at least six weeks.

In pre-construction, you will:

1. Post your job to solicit contractors and other professionals for your project needs.
2. Schedule site visits and organize contractor bids to ensure you find a team that can meet your project’s needs and budget.
3. Choose your contractor, who you will work closely with over the coming weeks. You’ll need this person to pull permits and do outstanding work, so you want to make sure they’re reputable, ethical, and you can get along with them.
4. Get permits with the help of your contractor. The permit process could take six to eight weeks, so buckle up.
5. Purchase materials with the help of your contractor. Use the time you’re waiting for permits to clear to ensure that the materials you want are available and aren’t at peak prices. That way, when you get your permits, you can get to work immediately.
6. Warn the neighbors if you share walls or live very close to other homes. You don’t want your neighbors reporting your project to the city for being too noisy or invasive. 

Construction

Although it’s the phase where you see the most results, construction may not be the longest part of your bathroom remodel. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, it may only be a few weeks. This phase entails:

1. Clearing out the old bathroom of furniture, structural aspects, and fixtures like the tub and sink if you’re replacing them. When everything is out, it’s much easier to put in new flooring and structure.
2. Flooring, plumbing, and electrical work are the meat and potatoes of the project and will take anywhere from two to four weeks. Demolition will likely take one to two days; plumbing and electrical two to four days; insulation, drywall, and painting one to four days; tile installation seven to ten days; and flooring installation one to two days. At each of these stages, you’ll see meaningful progress made, but it will take time.
3. Cleaning everything up may take a full day as remodels tend to make a lot of dust.

Post-construction

Finally, in the post-construction phase, you’ll get into the final walkthrough and comprehensive unpacking of what actually happened in the bathroom remodel. You’ll make your final payments to officially complete the project. All told, this could just be one day. The process includes:

1. A contractor will do a walkthrough and give you an extensive review of the work that was done and the materials used. It’s an opportunity to critique the work and ensure it is up to your standards (and make any last-minute changes.)
2. If you do want to make changes, you can have the contractor do little ones quickly, or negotiate to kick the project back to the construction phase to bring the remodel up to your full satisfaction.
3. When you’re fully satisfied, your contract will provide a final inspection for safety concerns. Many things can go wrong during construction, so this inspection serves as an enduring record that the bathroom is safe to use and was built using proper permits.
4. After inspection, it’s time to finalize payments and take a shower in your new bathroom to wash off all the stress.

All told, a bathroom remodel will take anywhere from two weeks to six weeks. As far as home improvement projects go, bathroom remodels are not particularly time-consuming or expensive, but they offer a great return on investment. So long as you can find great contractors and can live without a bathroom for about a month, it’s a smart move to upgrade a bathroom that’s in need of some love.

Should I remodel my bathroom?

If your bathroom is so out of date and poorly functioning that you don’t even want to use it, then of course it is time to remodel your bathroom. If it is broke, do fix it.

But if you’re just not crazy about your bathroom, it might be harder to justify the time and money required for a remodel. Bathrooms are one of the less expensive room remodels, coming in at an average of $5,000 to $10,000, but they’re still time-consuming projects where you’ll be out of a bathroom for a while.

If a bathroom remodel is in the budget and will make you happy, do the remodel! If you’re planning to sell your house in the next year or two, it’s also a good idea to do the remodel. Like kitchens, bathrooms are one of those things that make a big difference in the minds of potential homebuyers. They can make or break the deal if someone is on the fence about buying your home.

FAQS

Answers to common questions about the typical timeline and factors influencing the length of a bathroom renovation project.

Can you remodel a bathroom in two days?

Remodeling a bathroom in just two days is possible, but it would generally be limited to small-scale, quick renovations or cosmetic updates. Some examples of projects that can be completed in two days are a simple paint job, vanity replacement, fixture upgrades, or refreshing accessories like a mirror or towel rack.

A full-scale bathroom remodel that involves significant changes to the layout, plumbing, electrical work, and installing new fixtures, tiles, and finishes usually takes longer.

How can you remodel a bathroom fast?

Remodeling a bathroom fast requires careful planning, efficient execution, and prioritizing specific updates that can be completed quickly. Set a clear plan and hire experienced professionals to ensure that your remodel is completed efficiently. Using pre-fabricated materials and limiting pluming changes can also cut down on your bathroom remodel timeline, as these changes are generally easier to implement.

Why might a bathroom renovation take longer?

A bathroom remodel can take longer than expected due to various factors like inspection and permit delays, contractor scheduling conflicts, and adverse weather conditions. It will also take longer if you discover damage or plumbing problems discovered during demolition. To ensure a timely completion of your remodel, it's important to plan for contingencies and work with an efficient contractor to minimize the impact of these factors.