How Long Does a Renovation Take in Guelph & the Tri-Cities?
If you’ve ever thought about renovating your home, you’ve probably asked the golden question: “How long is this going to take?” It’s one of the first things our clients want to know—and for good reason! A renovation can be a major commitment of time, money, and energy, so having a realistic idea of the timeline can help you plan ahead and avoid surprises.
At Otis Interiors, we’ve walked dozens of homeowners in Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and surrounding areas through the renovation process. In this post, we’re breaking down what actually goes into the timeline of a renovation, how long you can expect different types of projects to take, and a few key factors that can speed things up—or slow things down.
Let’s dig in!
Why Renovation Timelines Vary
Before we get into numbers, let’s address the big picture. Every renovation is unique, and no two timelines are the same. Even two kitchen remodels can vary wildly depending on scope, layout changes, material availability, and the age of the home.
Here are a few factors that influence how long your renovation will take:
Project Scope: Are we talking a simple cosmetic refresh or a full gut and rebuild?
Permits & Inspections: Some projects require city permits and inspections, which can add time.
Material Availability: Custom cabinetry, imported tiles, or specialty fixtures can cause delays if they’re backordered.
Design Revisions: If plans change mid-reno (it happens!), your timeline may shift.
Contractor Scheduling: Your contractor’s availability and the scheduling of tradespeople play a huge role.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get into the nitty-gritty: how long each type of renovation typically takes in the Guelph and Tri-Cities region.
Renovation Timelines by Project Type
1. Kitchen Renovation
Estimated Timeline: 6 to 10 weeks
A kitchen reno is one of the most popular (and most involved) home improvements out there. It’s also where we see a wide range in timelines. A basic kitchen facelift—think cabinet painting, backsplash update, and new countertops—can take as little as 4 to 6 weeks. But a full custom kitchen with layout changes, plumbing and electrical work, and custom cabinetry? That’s more like 8 to 10 weeks.
Pro Tip: Finalize your design and material selections before demo day to avoid unnecessary delays.
2. Bathroom Renovation
Estimated Timeline: 4 to 8 weeks
Bathrooms are smaller, but they pack a punch in terms of complexity. There’s plumbing, electrical, tiling, and waterproofing all in a confined space. A powder room update can be done in 2 to 3 weeks, while a full primary bathroom overhaul might take 6 to 8 weeks, especially if you’re relocating fixtures or going for luxury finishes.
Pro Tip: Make sure everything—from your tiles to your vanity—is on-site before work begins.
3. Basement Renovation
Estimated Timeline: 8 to 12 weeks
Transforming your basement into livable space—whether that’s a rec room, income suite, or home gym—takes time. Most basement renovations involve upgrading old windows, insulation, drywall, electrical, plumbing, flooring, and often adding a bathroom and/or kitchenette. Permits and inspections are typically required here too.
Pro Tip: Decide early on if you’re adding a bathroom or wet bar—those are major factors in the budget, timeline and complexity of the project.
4. Attic Renovation
Estimated Timeline: 8 to 14 weeks
An attic renovation is a fantastic way to add usable square footage, but it’s not a weekend project. Timelines depend on access, insulation, framing, and whether or not you’re adding plumbing (hello, ensuite loft!). Expect a few months from start to finish.
Pro Tip: Attics often uncover surprises—budget for a bit of buffer time just in case.
5. Whole-Home Renovation
Estimated Timeline: 4 to 8 months
A full home renovation is a big undertaking, and timelines reflect that. If you’re doing a top-to-bottom update—kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, paint, layout changes—it’s common for work to last anywhere from 4 to 8 months depending on the size of the home and the scope of work.
Pro Tip: Consider whether you’ll live in the home during the reno. If you can move out, things tend to move faster.
6. Home Additions
Estimated Timeline: 4 to 6 months
Adding square footage to your home (whether it’s a second-storey addition, rear bump-out, or sunroom) involves excavation, foundation work, framing, and full interior finishing. Permits are a must, and weather can be a factor depending on the season.
Pro Tip: Start planning your addition in the fall or winter to be ready for spring/summer construction.
The Phases of a Renovation (and How Long Each Takes)
Whether you're updating your powder room or transforming your entire home, most renovations follow a similar series of steps. Understanding what happens at each phase—and how long it typically takes—can help you feel more confident and in control throughout the process. Here's a closer look at what to expect at every stage of your renovation journey.
1. Planning & Design: 3 to 6 Weeks
This is where your vision starts to take shape. During the planning phase, you’ll meet with your design-build team or contractor to discuss your goals, style preferences, functionality needs, and budget. This is also when measurements are taken and concept drawings are developed.
If you’re working with Otis Interiors, we’ll walk you through floor plan options, conceptual visuals like mood boards and elevations as well as selecting curated materials to help you visualize the space. It’s also when you’ll make key decisions like cabinetry layout and functionality, lighting and fixture finishes and working through other material selections (all the finer details like grout colours and more).
Larger or more customized projects may take longer to finalize, especially if there are multiple rooms or structural changes involved. But trust us—taking the time to plan properly at the beginning can save you a lot of time (and money) during construction. A good plan acts like a guiding light during the whole process!
2. Permitting: 2 to 8 Weeks
Ah, permits. They’re not the most exciting part of a renovation, but they are essential—especially if your project involves electrical, plumbing, structural changes, or additions.
In the Guelph and Tri-Cities region, timelines for building permit approvals vary depending on the municipality and the scope of your project. Simple permits may come through in 2–3 weeks, but more complex renovations can take 6–8 weeks (sometimes longer, especially during peak building season).
At Otis Interiors, we handle this for you. We submit permit applications, coordinate with city officials, and ensure all paperwork is in place. While permits may slow things down slightly, they ensure your renovation meets safety and building code standards—and that’s something you don’t want to skip.
3. Pre-Construction Mobilization: 1 to 2 Weeks
Once permits are in hand and your design plan is finalized, we move into the pre-construction phase. This is where all the behind-the-scenes coordination kicks into high gear.
We create a detailed project schedule, order materials, book trades, and conduct a pre-renovation walk-through to confirm everything is on track. This is also the time when we put protective measures in place—like covering flooring, setting up dust barriers, and protecting your home from the mess that can come with demo and construction.
This phase is short, but it’s essential for setting your project up for success. It’s all about getting organized and set up, ironing out the logistics and making sure everyone involved knows exactly what’s happening and when right from the start.
4. Construction: Varies
Now comes the fun (and noisy) part—construction! This is when your space is physically transformed.
Here’s a typical breakdown of what happens during this phase:
Demolition: Out with the old! We remove walls, cabinetry, flooring, or fixtures that are being replaced.
Framing & Rough-Ins: If the layout is changing, new walls go up (or come down!) and tradespeople handle the complex yet important electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work.
Inspections: For permitted projects, city inspectors will come in to approve rough-ins before we can proceed to the next phase.
Drywall, Paint & Flooring: Once the structure is in place, we start finishing the space with walls, ceilings, and flooring.
Cabinetry & Fixtures: Next, we install cabinetry, countertops, lighting, and plumbing fixtures.
Final Finishes: Backsplashes, trim, paint touch-ups, hardware installation and finishing touches—this is where it all comes together.
Depending on the type and size of the project, this stage could last anywhere from 3 weeks (for a simple bathroom refresh) to 6 months or more (for a large-scale addition or full-home reno).
We keep our clients updated every step of the way by utilizing a mix of on-site milestone meetings mixed with a project management platform for communications filled with progress reports, photos, and timelines so you’re never left wondering where things stand.
5. Final Touches & Inspections: 1 to 2 Weeks
With the bulk of the construction complete, we move into the home stretch—literally.
This phase includes final walk-throughs, touch-ups, deep cleaning, and final inspections (if required). We go through a detailed checklist to make sure everything is completed to our standards—and yours. If there are any outstanding deficiencies or small tweaks needed, we tackle them right away.
If your project requires city inspections, this is when final occupancy or completion certificates are issued.
At Otis Interiors, we also like to schedule a final client walkthrough where we hand over the space, answer any questions, and go over product care and warranty details. It’s the cherry on top of your renovation experience and we strive to make it a great one.
Bonus: Post-Reno Settling In
While not an official “phase,” we always tell our clients to expect a short adjustment period once the work is complete. New paint and finishes may need time to cure, cabinets might settle slightly, and small fixes may pop up as you start using the space.
That’s why we check in with you after move-in to make sure everything is working as it should. It’s all part of the Otis Interiors experience—because our job isn’t done until you’re happy with your home.
How to Keep Your Renovation on Track
Let’s be real—delays happen. But there are definitely ways to help your reno stay on schedule:
Be Decisive: Make design choices early and try to stick with them.
Choose In-Stock Materials: Custom pieces are gorgeous, but they can add weeks to your timeline.
Communicate Regularly: Stay in the loop with your contractor for updates and any decision-making.
Budget for Buffer Time: Adding 1–2 weeks of “wiggle room” to your expectations can help you stress less if something unexpected pops up.
So… How Long Will Your Renovation Take?
That depends—but now you’ve got a solid starting point.
At Otis Interiors, we’re all about transparency and making the renovation process as smooth as possible. We take the time to walk you through your project scope, realistic timelines, and what to expect every step of the way. Whether you’re doing a quick bathroom refresh or planning a full home makeover, we’ll help you stay on track and avoid the “renovation blues.”
Ready to Renovate?
If you're planning a renovation in Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, or Cambridge, let’s chat! We’d love to hear your ideas, talk timelines, and help you bring your vision to life—on time and on budget.
Contact us today to schedule a complimentary Discovery Call or browse our portfolio to get inspired.