How Long Does It Take to Remodel a Bathroom?

Huzzah! You finally have a vision and are ready to take the plunge on remodeling your bathroom.

Now the days of using that old, run-down bathroom are numbered. But exactly how many days is that? Just how long does it take to remodel a bathroom?

That’s a question that depends precisely on your situation. We aim to answer all your questions here.

The Factors Involved in Remodeling Your Bathroom

There is no short-list of factors that affect the time it takes to remodel a bathroom. Rarely will everything go perfectly to plan. That’s why we’re here to help you estimate as close as possible, leaving some wiggle room when things don’t go entirely to plan.

Do-It-Yourself vs. Hiring a Contractor

First: who is doing the brunt of labor? Are you going to remodel the bathroom by hand, or will you be using a skilled contractor?

DIY

As well-intentioned as you may be, expect the unexpected when it comes to doing the work by yourself. Especially if this is the first time you’ve ever tackled a project of this magnitude. The work involved is only half the process. Learning is a beast in itself.

Hiring someone to do the work will naturally be faster. But how much faster? Well, that depends on your contractor.

Hiring a Contractor

Are they an owner-operator? Or are they subcontracting anyone, such as plumbers, electricians, or carpenters?

Owner-operators can be the best, cost-wise. But timeliness isn’t always their strongest trait. Often they’ll have to balance remodeling your bathroom with several other clients and jobs.

What could be accomplished in a few days with a large team may take several months with a single owner-operator. Regardless of who you go with, each team should give you an estimate of how much time it will take to complete your bathroom.

Remodel vs. Complete Rebuild

Factor in what it is your project needs. If you’re simply adding new cabinets or changing out a shower, the amount of time will be far lower than a total rebuild.

If you’re considering a rebuild, what all do you have in mind? Will this require new plumbing to be installed? Are you only replacing old faucets with new fixtures? What about adding walls or tiling to your new bathroom?

A coat of paint won’t take nearly the amount of time it takes to build a bathroom from scratch. We’re comparing a few hours to a few months of work.

Materials and Permits Needed

Specialty goods will take longer to arrive than the fixtures found at your local hardware store. The longer you wait for products to arrive, the longer it’ll take to get your project finished.

Don’t forget your permits! Make sure you’re authorized to make the changes in your home before beginning your project.

A Breakdown of Remodeling Tasks and the Time It Takes to Complete Them

Below is a list of many of the tasks you’ll likely need to complete when it comes to remodeling your bathroom. This doesn’t include the time designing, ordering your materials, or finding a contractor, but strictly the process of remodeling the bathroom.

1) Demolition

This stage is where you rip out tiles, remove old fixtures, and do the majority of the dirty work. The larger the bathroom, the more time it may take.
Time Estimate: 1-2 days

2) Reroute Your Plumbing

Once that dirty work is behind you, the real dirty work begins. If you’re adding water lines or if the location makes it difficult to connect to the sewer line, this will take additional time.
Time Estimate: 1-2 days

3) Reroute Your Electrical

This critical step is merely running the electrical lines through the bathroom. An electrician could do this swiftly if someone set up electrical lines before this remodel.
Time Estimate: 1-2 days

4) Inspection

Once the electrical and plumbing are done, you’ll need to have it inspected to ensure everything is up to code. Plan ahead! The inspection itself should only take a day; however, scheduling a certified inspector may take a few weeks.
Time Estimate: 1 day

5) Insulation and Drywall

Insulating a bathroom shouldn’t take much time at all, nor should putting up drywall for an experienced contractor. The drywall will need to sit for at least a day, followed by adding joint compound and sanding.
Time Estimate: 2-3 days

6) Painting and Potentially Another Inspection

Once your walls are on, you may be required to have another inspection. After that, you can begin to paint.
Time Estimate: 1-2 days

7) Flooring and Tiling

Vinyl flooring is typically a quick turnaround. A pro can complete the job in a matter of hours.

Tiling, however, is like drywall. It takes time to set, dry, and then apply the finishing touches, like sanding.
Time Estimate: 1-3 days

8) Install Cabinets and Trim

Most bathrooms have minimal cabinetry. If you’re installing a single or two-person vanity, this shouldn’t take more than a day.
Time Estimate: 1 day

9) Hookups and Fixtures

It’s all coming together. Install the toilet, sink, shower, and then make sure they work.
Time Estimate: 2-3 days

10) Margin for Error

This stage could be adding some final touches on a project, waiting around for permits, or just taking a few days off from working on the bathroom.
Time Estimate: 2-3 days

Bathroom Renovation Timeline

If all went according to plan, the minimum amount of time required based on our numbers above would be 13 days.

Realistically, with even the best contractor and quick turnaround on ordering hookups, you’re looking at about 20-25 days remodeling your bathroom.