Every remodel is different, but homeowners deserve a real, honest range rather than a vague "it depends." Here's how our project managers typically talk through timeline expectations, broken down by project type.
Kitchen remodels
A full kitchen remodel — new layout, cabinetry, countertops, appliances, flooring, and finishes — typically runs 10 to 16 weeks from demolition to completion, once design and permitting are finalized. Design and permitting themselves can take an additional 6 to 12 weeks depending on scope and whether structural changes are involved.
Bathroom remodels
A primary bathroom remodel generally takes 4 to 8 weeks of construction. Smaller guest bath or powder room refreshes can move faster, often 2 to 4 weeks, especially when the existing layout and plumbing locations are staying put.
Additions
Additions vary the most based on size and complexity, but a typical single-story addition runs 3 to 6 months of construction, with design and permitting adding several more months on top — permitting timelines with the City of Seattle have been a real variable in recent years and are worth planning for conservatively.
Whole-home remodels
A comprehensive whole-home remodel, touching most rooms and systems, typically takes 6 to 12 months of construction depending on square footage and scope. These projects benefit enormously from tight design-build coordination, since sequencing across trades is what keeps a project this size on schedule.
What actually affects your timeline
- Permitting complexity and current city review timelines
- Whether structural or foundation work is involved
- Material lead times, especially for custom cabinetry or specialty fixtures
- Decision-making pace on selections once construction has started
- Unforeseen conditions in older homes, like outdated wiring or water damage discovered mid-project
A good project manager builds realistic buffer into the schedule for these variables from the start, so you're working from a timeline you can actually trust rather than a best-case scenario.