Construction Timeline: Bathroom Remodel
When remodeling a master bathroom, it is fair for you to want to know how long the project is going to take. Most master bathroom remodels will take 8-10 weeks from the start of demo to finish.
At RWS we can break down the steps of the process using our 25 years of experience. We will begin by going over the final preconstruction steps, the phases of construction and the months after we leave your home. This article will not cover the preconstruction phase before signing the contract. For more information on the early phases of preconstruction, visit the Our Process page.
Once you have a signed contract with RWS, we will provide you with a tentative start date for your project. The start date will depend on lead times for your selections, our company schedule and the schedules of our trade partners.
The timeline for the start date may be months out. Expect a minimum of four weeks after signing before construction of your project begins.
Before the project begins we will walk through your home with the lead remodelers for your project. This is usually done 2-3 weeks before the scheduled start date.
During the walkthrough, they will determine the logistics of the project. This will include answering questions such as:
The walkthrough will also allow us to create the schedule for the project. This provides a step-by-step breakdown of the project, outlining which remodelers and trade partners will be on-site, and when the delivery of the parts and materials will occur. After the schedule is written, the next step is to start building.
As we go into the construction phase of your project, it is important to remember a few things.
First, schedules are fluid and unexpected surprises within the walls are not uncommon. There will be ‘buffer’ days scheduled so that each step can be completed in the allotted time. During construction, we will rotate members in and out of the project according to their specialties. Patience and flexibility will go a long way during construction.
The time frames listed here are shown in working days. At RWS we work Monday through Friday. It is important to give our team a good balance between work and home. Because of this, we do not work on the weekend unless an emergency arises.
Here are the construction phases for a master bathroom remodel.
On the first day of the project, our remodelers will protect the site. This includes putting up plastic sheeting, carpet shield, ram boards, etc. to ensure that we keep our mess contained. We will tape off the air vents in the bathroom to keep dust from blowing through the whole house.
During the protection phase, it is important to make sure everyone knows where the emergency shutoff valves are. Water damage can make a project turn ugly quickly.
Usually, the site can be protected on day 1 and demolition can begin. In a bathroom remodel, demolition usually includes removing the vanity and vanity top, the toilet, trim and shower doors and walls.
Demolition is usually done in a day or two.
Once demolition is complete, the remodelers will mark out the new layout. They will tape out the location for the shower, vanity, toilet and anything else that is new or returning. This is particularly important if you are changing the footprint of the bathroom.
The new plumbing, electrical and HVAC lines will be marked for our trade partners. Most cities have different licensing requirements to work on plumbing electrical and HVAC. Because of this, most of the mechanical elements of the project are done by outside companies that specialize in those areas.
By the time our trade partners arrive, we will have everything marked and ready for them. We want to make it so that the plumbers can plumb, the electricians can wire and the HVAC professionals can work on the ducts. Most of the mechanical trade partners will take a day to finish their work. If the project is more extensive, it could go into a second day.
Once all the new mechanical elements are in place, we will install a nail guard in any area that could be damaged by a long nail or screw. At the same time, we will spray foam areas opened as a fire-blocking measure. This will usually take a day or two.
The rough-in inspection is conducted by the city in which the permit was acquired. Most cities need 24 hours’ notice before they can send an inspector. The inspector will check to make sure the mechanical work is up to code.
Different cities have different codes and ways of working. RWS is located in Kansas City. We deal with several municipalities throughout the metro area. Each has different rules and codes, and at times, things can get complicated.
After 25 years of remodeling, we can almost set our watches to the construction schedule. In most cases, the rough-in inspection takes place approximately two weeks after day one.
Once we get the thumbs-up from the inspector, the next step is to begin installing insulation. Usually, insulation is not extensive in a master bathroom renovation and will take about a half day.
For the drywall phase, depending on the size and complexity of the project, we may use a trade partner who specializes in drywall. Due to their specialization, they can do complex jobs much more efficiently. They will supply, deliver, hang, mud and sand the drywall. This usually takes 3-5 days on the average project.
Drywall is a very messy process, especially during the sanding phase. Our trade partners do a very good job cleaning up after they are finished. Due to our high standard of cleanliness, we will go through and spend a day doing a thorough cleanup. After the bathroom is clean, we will prime the walls for the next stage.
The time required to install the baseboards, window trim, door trim, etc. will depend on the size of the bathroom. More doors and windows will require more trim, however, the trim process usually takes 2-3 days.
The next step can occasionally get a bit hairy. Depending on the delivery dates for the countertops and cabinets, we may have to move things around in this step.
In this section, flexibility is key as we never want a job to sit if it does not have to. Sometimes the schedules of our trade partners will determine the order of paint and cabinet installation. A vendor may only be able to deliver cabinets earlier than we expected. If that is the case, we might install the cabinets before painting. Construction schedules are rarely written in stone. Usually, the cabinet installation will take 4-5 days.
Paint is a phase where we usually see downtime. According to the timeline and the humidity, there may be a down day to wait for the paint to dry. This could turn into two days since the painter usually applies two coats. The painter will also double-check the trim and spray it with primer. Paint will usually be a 3-5 day process.
Due to the amount of tile typically seen in a master bathroom, this will be the biggest job. Depending on the scope of the project, tile can be much more extensive. Additionally, the tile layout and material can make this phase longer or shorter. Marble tile in a herringbone pattern will take longer to layout and install than ceramic tile in a standard pattern. Some projects will have a full tile shower, backsplashes and floor.
Almost all the master bathrooms we work on at RWS have a tile floor.
The last push of the project is to make sure that everything is done to the highest quality possible. This will include installing the countertops, backsplash, sink fixtures, outlet covers, towel bars, etc. We will make sure that every screw is turned and every fixture is correct.
Sometimes mechanical partners will come back in to finish the final steps of their work. Our lead remodelers will make a punch list of everything that is left to be done during the final phase. Once everything is done, the city will do a final inspection to sign off on the project. Once we get the ok from the city we will clean the bathroom to make it look like we were never there.
The post-construction process is a brief but important step. We offer a one-year warranty on all projects. If any issues arise we will come back and address them. This usually includes repainting, recaulking, and tightening fixtures. Our goal is that there are no issues with your project. In this case, we will reach out to you 10-11 months after we leave your home to see if there is anything we can do for you. Never hesitate to get in touch with us if you have questions or concerns during this one-year warranty.
If you are looking to update your master bathroom we hope that this has been valuable to you in your research process.
If you would like to explore working with us, feel free to fill out our contact sheet. We will send you an email and set up a time to talk on the phone. We look forward to helping you realize your dream of a beautifully remodeled home.
