How Long Does It Take to Remodel a Bathroom in Northern Virginia & Washington, D.C.?

Once you’ve decided to remodel your bathroom, it’s easy to start thinking ahead to when the project is finished and you and your family get to enjoy the more comfortable, convenient and welcoming space.

However, part of carefully planning your project involves setting a realistic expectation about how long it will take and what is involved during each step of the process. Having this information in mind enables you to plan accordingly (along with avoiding simple bathroom remodeling mistakes) and adjust your daily routine during your bathroom remodel in Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C.

What Is the Average Time for a Bathroom Remodel?

As with any type of home upgrade, the duration of your bathroom remodel depends on the size of the space and the scope of work involved in your project. For example, refreshing a half-bathroom, or powder room, requires less time for both planning and execution than totally transforming a luxurious master bathroom.

In general, bathroom remodeling takes about six weeks to three months from start to finish. Below, we’ve divided the project into various phases to help you get an understanding of the typical timeline involved. Keep in mind, these figures are based on averages for similar types of bathroom upgrades, and your own timeline will depend on the specifics of your project, your design-build remodeler’s availability, unexpected complexities and other factors.

In What Order Do You Remodel a Bathroom?

Whether you're doing a small upgrade or a massive bathroom makeover, your project is likely to follow a certain sequence of steps. Here is what you can expect to happen during your bathroom remodel:

Planning and Design Phase

The first step to remodeling your bathroom in Northern Virginia involves developing a design plan with the help of your remodeler. You’ll spend about one to four weeks refining your vision for the project, measuring your existing space and selecting the layout, features and materials for your bathroom makeover. If you’re expanding your bathroom or significantly reconfiguring the space, your design phase may be on the higher end of the spectrum in terms of how long it takes. It also depends on how much time you can commit to reviewing details with your design team and how decisive you are when it comes to making selections.

Pre-Construction Phase

During the pre-construction phase of your bathroom remodel, your contractor will finalize the design plans, pull the necessary permits, order materials and schedule laborers and tradespeople for each aspect of the job. This typically takes about two to six weeks, depending on the source of your products. For example, if you are importing tiles from overseas or crafting custom cabinets for an upscale bathroom remodel, the process takes a bit longer. If you’re using stock products or materials that are readily available, it’ll move along quicker. Either way, your design-build remodeler in Washington, D.C. will plan ahead and develop a schedule to advance the project with as few gaps as possible.

Construction Phase

Next, your Northern Virginia bathroom remodel moves into the construction phase, which takes an average of two to five weeks. Your remodeler should give you a detailed construction schedule at the start of this phase so you know what to expect during this time, including which professionals are scheduled when. Here is a general idea of the remodeling timeline once work has started at the job site:

• Demolition. The first part of construction involves removing all the fixtures and materials from the bathroom that you plan to replace or you simply don't want. Your team will prepare the site, lay down protection, install dust barriers and then move onto demolition, which takes a day or two.
• Framing and Plumbing and Electrical Rough-ins. With the walls exposed and the bathroom mostly empty, your team can work on backing and framing and start giving your space shape. Skilled professionals will do the plumbing and electrical rough-ins and install new ventilation and exhaust fans. If you’re changing the layout of your bathroom, this process may involve rewiring and adjusting the water lines. Overall, this step of construction takes about two to four days.
• Installing Drywall. Over the next five days or so, your team will install drywall. You also should put up moisture-resistant boards around areas that experience excessive moisture, like the shower and bathtub.
• Flooring and Tiles. Once the walls are finished, your remodeling team can move on to installing tiles wherever you’re using them, whether that be the floor, walls, shower, or tub surround. You may have selected a different flooring material. Either way, it will be installed during this step, which takes about a week and a half and also involves priming and painting the bathroom walls, ceiling and trims.
• Adding Fixtures. After the final construction tasks are complete, your team can start installing your bathroom fixtures, such as the toilet, bathtub, and vanity or sink, and hook them up to the plumbing system. They also will add light fixtures and accessories such as towel racks and mirrors. The walls are touched up with paint until the space looks pristine. This step generally takes two to three days.
• Site Cleanup and Walk-through. Your bathroom remodel is nearly done at this point. All that’s left is to have the plumbing and electrical inspected to ensure they meet safety standards. Your team will also clean the area and get it ready for your walk-through, during which you can point out any issues to be addressed before you sign off on the project. Depending on how quickly you can have the inspection done, expect this step to take another day or two.

Schedule a Bathroom Remodel in Washington, D.C.

Remodeling a bathroom in Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C., is a complex process that involves several expensive fixtures and materials. You don’t want to rush the project and risk creating waste, but you also want the work to be completed efficiently. That’s where a design-build remodeling team can make a difference. At Denny + Gardner, we handle your bathroom upgrade from start to finish, which makes for a simpler, more streamlined process with better collaboration and a highly optimized timeline.