Renovation timelines vary widely depending on the size of your home, the scope of work, and external factors like permits or weather. Understanding room-by-room timelines and planning can help you avoid delays and make smarter renovation decisions.
Renovating a house is usually exciting, but it also comes with a big question: how long will it take? The answer depends on many factors, from the scope of the work to the availability of trades and the complexity of the project.
In this guide, we break down timelines room by room and project by project to help you understand the renovation process and plan smarter.
What Affects the Timeframe of a House Renovation?
Before diving into timelines, it’s important to understand what influences them. Every home renovation project is unique, and a few key variables can either speed things up or cause a major hold-up.
Scope of Work
- Cosmetic updates like painting or flooring are quicker than structural changes.
- Major renovations involve multiple trades, permits, and phases, which can significantly increase complexity and drive up the full house renovation cost.
- Examples: - Painting a room: a few days - painting a home, 1-3 weeks - Removing a wall or reworking layout: 4 weeks or more
Property Size and Age
- Larger homes naturally take longer.
- Older homes may reveal hidden issues like outdated wiring Electrical cabling or plumbing.
- Structural challenges in heritage homes may require special approvals.
Permits and Planning
- Council approval may take weeks, depending on your local area.
- Early engagement with professionals and clear documentation can speed up this phase.
Builder and Contractor Availability
- In-demand builders often have lead times of several weeks or months.
- Booking ahead of time ensures your project starts as planned.
Average Timeline to Renovate a House (By Project Type)
Renovating your home can be exciting, but it’s important to have a clear idea of how long the process might take. The timeline will vary based on the type of renovation, scale of work, permits required, and coordination with contractors and suppliers. Whether you’re planning a light refresh or a full structural overhaul, here’s what you can expect.
Cosmetic Renovation: 1 to 3 Months
Cosmetic renovations are typically the fastest and least invasive. These projects focus on improving the look and feel of your home without changing its layout or major systems. Examples include:
- Painting interior walls.
- Replacing outdated flooring (carpet, vinyl, timber).
- Upgrading light fixtures, switches, and power points.
- Installing new hardware on doors or cabinets.
- Swapping out tapware and minor fittings.
While these may sound like simple updates, they still require skilled tradespeople, such as painters, electricians, and floor installers. If you’re renovating multiple rooms or coordinating multiple trades, the timelines should be well-prepared to ensure we can stick to them.
Medium-Scale Renovation: 2 to 4 Months
Medium-scale renovations require more planning, involve multiple trades, and often necessitate structural considerations. These projects might include:
- Kitchen renovations with new cabinetry and appliances.
- Bathroom renovation process includes waterproofing.
- Modest layout changes.
- Partial rewiring or plumbing upgrades.
- Replacing windows or external doors.
These jobs usually require council or private building approvals, particularly for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. They may also involve inspections, which can extend the timeline.
Common factors that affect this timeline:
- Delivery dates for custom joinery, stone benchtops, or designer tiles.
- Permits or approvals.
- Schedules between subcontractors.
Full Home Renovation: 4 to 12+ Months
Full home renovations are the most complex and time-consuming. They involve significant upgrades that often touch every part of the home, such as:
- Changing the entire floor plan.
- Removing or adding walls.
- Major plumbing and electrical system overhauls.
- New flooring, ceilings, insulation, and HVAC installation.
- Full kitchen and multiple bathroom remodels.
- Exterior updates (windows, roofing, façade).
This is where careful planning becomes critical. A full renovation usually follows a staged approach:
- Planning & Design: Engage a builder, draft plans, and secure approvals.
- Demolition: Remove existing fittings and internal structures.
- Rough-In Stage: Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC frameworks.
- Fit-Out: Install cabinetry, tile, flooring, and fixtures.
- Final Finishes: Painting, lighting, and quality inspections.
Here are factors that may affect timelines:
- Materials availability shortages or price changes.
- Weather disruptions (especially for structural or roof work).
- Changes to the original design mid-project.
- Council inspection timelines.
For most homeowners, full renovations mean moving out for several months and trusting an experienced builder or project manager to keep things moving smoothly.
Room-by-Room Renovation Timeline Guide
If you’re planning to renovate your home in phases, it helps to know how long each area typically takes. Timelines vary depending on complexity, materials, and whether you’re making structural changes, but here’s a general breakdown by room to guide your expectations.
Kitchen (4 to 8 Weeks)
The kitchen is often one of the most complex rooms to renovate. Joinery manufacturing alone can take 3 to 4 weeks, especially if you’re going with custom home joinery.
Add in plumbing adjustments, new electrical points, appliance installations, splashbacks, and tiling, and it’s easy to see how quickly the timeline adds up. Coordinating multiple trades efficiently is key to avoiding unnecessary delays in the construction process.
Bathroom (3 to 6 Weeks)
Bathrooms may be small, but they pack in a lot of detail. Waterproofing layers and tiling must be applied and cured properly,
Bathroom renovation timelines in Australia vary by scope. Plumbing upgrades, vanity installation, and lighting all require careful sequencing, which can add to the overall timeline. Specialty tiles or imported fixtures should also be factored into the timelines.
Living and Dining Areas (2 to 4 Weeks)
These communal areas are usually faster to renovate because they often involve mostly cosmetic changes. Flooring updates, fresh paint, and new lighting can dramatically transform the space with minimal structural work. This part of the renovation is usually straightforward unless design changes are introduced.
Bedrooms (1 to 3 Weeks)
Bedroom renovations are typically the simplest. Updates might include repainting, replacing carpet or flooring, installing built-in wardrobes, or updating windows. These are great starter projects for any homeowner looking to save some time while moderniszing a space.
Outdoor Areas (4 to 8 Weeks)
Outdoor renovations such as building a deck, laying new patio tiles, or upgrading landscaping take time and are highly dependent on weather. Wet conditions or limited access should be factored into the project timelines.
How to Stay on Schedule During a Renovation
Delays are common, but you can help keep your project on track with a few smart moves.
- Work With a Professional Builder:Experienced builders and project managers oversee trades, timelines, and permits. They can help you understand each stage and keep your build on schedule.
- Lock in All Selections Early:Avoid making late changes to tiles, lighting, or fittings. Every decision made after construction begins risks causing a major hold-up.
- Build a Contingency Buffer:Expect the unexpected. Unforeseen events like material shortages or bad weather can delay even the most carefully planned project. A 10–20% buffer in your timeline and budget is essential.
Common Delays and How to Avoid Them
Some delays are outside your control, but you can reduce the risk with good planning.
- Weather and Site Access:Rain or storms can slow work, especially outdoors. Plan accordingly if your renovation will happen during wetter seasons.
- Council or Permit Issues:Late applications or incorrect documentation are common reasons for delays. Ensure your paperwork is complete and submitted early in the process.
- Late Material Deliveries:Items on backorder or shipped from overseas can impact the length of time it takes to complete your renovation. Always ask for lead times when placing orders.
Plan to Renovate With Confidence
There’s no single answer to how long a renovation takes. But having a realistic frame of reference, knowing the factors that can influence the timeline, and planning with a trusted builder will help you get through your home renovation project successfully.
Class Constructions works with homeowners to manage the full renovation processfrom the design phase to delivery with minimal stress and maximum results.
Ready to renovate? Contact our team to get a reliable idea of how long your planned renovation should take, and let’s bring your dream home to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Renovate a Whole House in Australia?
A full house renovation typically takes between 4 to 12 months, depending on the scope, permit timelines, and builder availability. Older homes may take longer due to compliance upgrades. Planning and material lead times can also impact the total duration.
Can I Live in My House During Renovation?
It depends on the extent of the renovation. For minor works, it’s often manageable. For full-scale renovations, it may be safer and faster to temporarily move out to avoid health risks and delays caused by working around occupants.
What Comes First in a House Renovation?
Planning and design come first. This includes creating your renovation plans, finaliszing your budget, and submitting permits. Once approved, demolition and rough-in work (plumbing, electrical) usually follow before moving to finishes.
Do Renovation Projects Always Go Over Time?
Not always, but delays are common if selections are changed mid-way, permits are delayed, or unexpected issues arise. Working with an experienced builder and locking in selections early helps avoid this.
Is It Faster to Renovate Room by Room or All at Once?
Renovating room by room spreads out costs but takes longer overall. Doing everything at once can be faster and more cost-efficient, though it requires a bigger upfront budget and may mean moving out temporarily.
