Almost every "behind schedule" remodel was never actually on a schedule. The work itself is predictable; the decisions, orders, and approvals around it are what move the finish date.
Typical durations, start to punch list
| Project | Pre-construction | On site |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel | 2–4 weeks | 3–5 weeks |
| Kitchen remodel | 4–8 weeks | 8–14 weeks |
| Flooring replacement | 1–3 weeks | 3 days–2 weeks |
| Siding & rot repair (section) | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Water damage repair | Immediate | 2–5 weeks after drying |
Pre-construction is real work, not waiting. It's measurement, scope, selections, ordering, and permitting — and it's the part homeowners most often underestimate.
The five stages of a well-run job
- Scope and design. Measurements, drawings where needed, and a written scope you can actually price against.
- Selections and ordering. Everything long-lead — cabinets, tile, glass, specialty fixtures — ordered before demo starts.
- Permits. Filed once scope is fixed. Changing scope after submittal restarts review.
- Construction. Demo, rough trades, inspection, insulation and drywall, finishes, in that order.
- Punch and closeout. Walkthrough list, final inspection, cleanup, warranty documentation.
Rule of thumb: don't swing a hammer until the long-lead items are on order. Starting demo early feels like progress and usually just extends the number of weeks your kitchen is unusable.
What actually causes delays here
- Selections made during construction instead of before it
- Cabinet and special-order tile lead times, which routinely run six to twelve weeks
- Change orders mid-stream — every one re-sequences the trades behind it
- Unforeseen conditions at demo: rot, undersized framing, old wiring without ground
- Wet-season exterior work waiting on a dry window
- Inspection scheduling in a busy jurisdiction
What you can do to keep it moving
- Finalize every selection before demo, including the ones that feel minor
- Approve change orders in writing the same day they're presented
- Keep one decision-maker in the household as the contact
- Ask for a written schedule with milestones, not just a start date
- Set a contingency of 10–15% so an unforeseen condition doesn't pause work while financing is sorted
Before you sign anything, run the checklist in our contractor vetting guide — a vague scope is the most common root cause of a schedule that slips.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a kitchen remodel take in Clark County?
Plan on eight to fourteen weeks on site for a full kitchen, plus four to eight weeks before that for design, selections, and cabinet ordering. Cabinets are usually the long pole — lead times commonly run six to twelve weeks.
How long do permits take in Clark County or Vancouver?
Simple over-the-counter trade permits can be same-day to a few days. Plan-review permits for structural or layout changes typically take a few weeks. Timelines vary by jurisdiction and workload, so your contractor should confirm current review times when scoping.
What causes most remodel delays?
Late selections by the homeowner, long-lead special orders, mid-project change orders, and unforeseen conditions found at demo — rot, old wiring, non-code framing. Inspections rarely delay a well-planned job; unmade decisions almost always do.
Can I live in the house during a remodel?
For a single bathroom or a contained room, usually yes. For a kitchen, expect several weeks without a sink or range and plan a temporary setup. Whole-floor work with dust containment is livable but disruptive.
Why does the last 5% take so long?
Punch list work depends on multiple trades returning for small items — a glass installer, a touch-up painter, one trim carpenter. Sequencing several short visits takes longer than the work itself. A good PM schedules them in one wave.
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