Planning · 4 min read
How long a renovation actually takes
Realistic Canadian renovation timelines from planning to closeout, including permit review, winter, and material lead times.
Construction time is the part people plan for. Everything around it is what makes projects feel late: decisions, drawings, permits, and lead times.
Two schedules matter
The first is the on-site schedule, which a contractor can estimate reasonably well. The second is the pre-construction schedule, which you control: how quickly you finalize scope, choose products, and submit for permits. The second one is usually longer.
Where delays come from
- Permit review time, which varies by municipality and season
- Cabinet, window, and tile lead times
- Decisions left open after work has started
- Hidden conditions found during demolition
- Inspection scheduling between stages
How to protect the schedule
Order long-lead items before demolition, finalize selections before the first bin arrives, and submit permit applications as early as your drawings allow. None of that costs extra money; it only costs sequencing discipline.