Home Renovation Timeline Guide: What to Expect in Ottawa

# Home Renovation Timeline Guide: What to Expect in Ottawa

*Last updated: December 2025 | Read time: 8 min*

Understanding realistic timelines helps you plan your renovation, arrange temporary living situations if needed, and set proper expectations. This guide breaks down typical durations for common Ottawa renovation projects.

**Quick answer:** A bathroom takes 2-4 weeks. A kitchen takes 4-8 weeks. A full basement takes 6-12 weeks. Add 2-4 weeks for design/planning and 2-6 weeks for permits.

## Table of Contents

1. [Project Timeline Overview](#overview)

2. [Pre-Construction Phase](#pre-construction)

3. [Bathroom Timelines](#bathroom)

4. [Kitchen Timelines](#kitchen)

5. [Basement Timelines](#basement)

6. [What Causes Delays](#delays)

7. [How to Stay on Schedule](#on-schedule)

---

## Project Timeline Overview {#overview}

### Quick Reference

| Project | Planning | Permits | Construction |

|---------|----------|---------|--------------|

| Powder room | 1-2 weeks | None usually | 1-2 weeks |

| Full bathroom | 2-4 weeks | 1-2 weeks | 2-4 weeks |

| Kitchen refresh | 1-2 weeks | None | 1-2 weeks |

| Full kitchen | 4-8 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 4-8 weeks |

| Basement (basic) | 2-4 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 4-8 weeks |

| Basement (with bathroom) | 4-6 weeks | 3-5 weeks | 6-12 weeks |

| Secondary dwelling unit | 6-10 weeks | 6-12 weeks | 12-20 weeks |

### Total Project Duration

From first call to final walk-through:

| Project Type | Total Duration |

|--------------|---------------|

| Cosmetic updates | 2-4 weeks |

| Single bathroom | 6-10 weeks |

| Kitchen renovation | 10-16 weeks |

| Basement finishing | 12-20 weeks |

| Major whole-home | 6-12 months |

---

## Pre-Construction Phase {#pre-construction}

### Step 1: Initial Consultation (1-2 weeks)

- Meet with contractor(s)

- Discuss scope and budget

- Get quotes

- Compare and select contractor

### Step 2: Design & Planning (2-6 weeks)

| Task | Duration |

|------|----------|

| Detailed design/drawings | 1-3 weeks |

| Material selections | 1-2 weeks |

| Final quote approval | 1 week |

| Scheduling | Varies |

**What takes time:**

- Custom cabinet design

- Picking tile/fixtures

- Getting accurate measurements

- Revisions to plans

### Step 3: Permits (if required) (2-6 weeks)

City of Ottawa typical timelines:

- Simple residential: 10-15 business days

- Complex residential: 15-25 business days

- Secondary dwelling units: 30-45 business days

**Don't start work until permits are in hand**

### Step 4: Material Ordering (2-8 weeks)

| Item | Lead Time |

|------|-----------|

| Stock cabinets | 1-2 weeks |

| Semi-custom cabinets | 4-8 weeks |

| Custom cabinets | 6-12 weeks |

| Special order tile | 2-4 weeks |

| Custom countertops | 2-3 weeks after template |

| Windows/doors | 4-8 weeks |

| Specialty fixtures | 2-6 weeks |

**Pro tip:** Order long-lead items early, even before final permit

---

## Bathroom Timelines {#bathroom}

### Powder Room (Half Bath)

Simple update: **3-5 days**

- New vanity, toilet, mirror, paint

- No tile work

Full renovation: **1-2 weeks**

- New flooring

- New vanity and toilet

- Fresh paint

- Minimal tile

### Full Bathroom (3-piece)

| Phase | Duration |

|-------|----------|

| Demo | 1-2 days |

| Rough plumbing/electrical | 1-2 days |

| Inspection | 1-3 days wait |

| Drywall | 2-3 days |

| Tile installation | 3-5 days |

| Fixture installation | 1-2 days |

| Finishing touches | 1-2 days |

| **Total** | **2-4 weeks** |

### Master Bathroom (4-piece, complex)

| Phase | Duration |

|-------|----------|

| Demo | 2-3 days |

| Rough-in work | 2-4 days |

| Inspections | 2-5 days |

| Drywall/cement board | 2-3 days |

| Tile (floor + shower) | 5-8 days |

| Countertop install | 1-2 days |

| Fixtures | 2-3 days |

| Finishing | 2-3 days |

| **Total** | **4-6 weeks** |

---

## Kitchen Timelines {#kitchen}

### Kitchen Refresh

Cosmetic update: **1-2 weeks**

- Cabinet painting/refacing

- New hardware

- Backsplash

- No layout changes

### Moderate Kitchen Renovation

| Phase | Duration |

|-------|----------|

| Demo (keeping layout) | 1-2 days |

| Electrical updates | 1-2 days |

| Cabinet installation | 2-4 days |

| Counter template | 1 day |

| Counter fabrication | 1-2 weeks |

| Counter installation | 1 day |

| Backsplash | 2-3 days |

| Appliances + fixtures | 1-2 days |

| Finishing | 1-2 days |

| **Total** | **4-6 weeks** |

### Full Kitchen Gut Renovation

| Phase | Duration |

|-------|----------|

| Complete demo | 2-4 days |

| Electrical rough-in | 2-3 days |

| Plumbing (if moving) | 1-2 days |

| Inspections | 3-5 days |

| Drywall repair | 2-3 days |

| Cabinet installation | 3-5 days |

| Flooring | 2-4 days |

| Counter installation | 1-2 days |

| Backsplash | 2-4 days |

| Appliances | 1 day |

| Electrical finishing | 1-2 days |

| Paint and finish | 2-3 days |

| **Total** | **6-10 weeks** |

**Why so long?** Counter fabrication creates a gap - template after cabinets, 1-2 week fabrication, then install.

---

## Basement Timelines {#basement}

### Basic Basement Finish (no bathroom)

| Phase | Duration |

|-------|----------|

| Framing | 3-5 days |

| Electrical rough-in | 2-3 days |

| HVAC (if needed) | 1-2 days |

| Insulation | 1-2 days |

| Drywall | 3-5 days |

| Taping/mudding | 3-4 days (with drying) |

| Flooring | 2-4 days |

| Trim and doors | 2-3 days |

| Paint | 2-3 days |

| Electrical finishing | 1-2 days |

| **Total** | **4-6 weeks** |

### Basement with Bathroom

Add to above timeline:

| Phase | Duration |

|-------|----------|

| Concrete cutting | 1 day |

| Rough plumbing | 2-3 days |

| Plumbing inspection | 1-3 days wait |

| Concrete repair | 1 day + cure time |

| Bathroom tile | 3-5 days |

| Fixture install | 1-2 days |

| **Additional time** | **2-4 weeks** |

**Total with bathroom: 6-10 weeks**

### Full Secondary Dwelling Unit

| Phase | Duration |

|-------|----------|

| Permits | 6-12 weeks |

| Framing + egress | 1-2 weeks |

| Rough-in (all trades) | 2-3 weeks |

| Inspections | 1-2 weeks |

| Drywall | 1-2 weeks |

| Finishing work | 3-4 weeks |

| Final inspections | 1-2 weeks |

| **Total** | **12-20 weeks** |

---

## What Causes Delays {#delays}

### Common Delay Factors

| Issue | Typical Delay |

|-------|--------------|

| Permit delays | 1-4 weeks |

| Material backorders | 1-6 weeks |

| Hidden damage (rot, mold) | 1-2 weeks |

| Inspection failures | 3-7 days |

| Client decision delays | Varies |

| Weather (exterior work) | Days to weeks |

| Subcontractor scheduling | 1-2 weeks |

### Unexpected Discoveries

Common surprises behind walls:

- Outdated electrical (knob and tube)

- Old plumbing needing replacement

- Asbestos or lead paint

- Water damage or mold

- Structural issues

- Incorrect rough-in locations

**Always budget extra time and money for surprises**

### Seasonal Considerations (Ottawa)

| Season | Notes |

|--------|-------|

| Spring | Popular time, contractors busy |

| Summer | Vacation schedules, trades busy |

| Fall | Good time, less competition |

| Winter | Interior work fine, exterior limited |

---

## How to Stay on Schedule {#on-schedule}

### Before Construction

1. **Make decisions early** - Indecision delays everything

2. **Order materials ahead** - Long-lead items especially

3. **Finalize scope** - Changes during construction cause delays

4. **Prepare your home** - Clear work areas in advance

### During Construction

1. **Be available** - Contractors need decisions quickly

2. **Trust the process** - Some stages take time

3. **Communicate concerns** - Don't let issues fester

4. **Expect some disruption** - It's a construction zone

### What You Can Control

- Quick decision-making

- Prompt payments (keeps work flowing)

- Realistic expectations

- Flexibility when surprises arise

- Clear communication

### What You Can't Control

- Permit processing times

- Inspection scheduling

- Material supply chain

- Weather (for some work)

- Hidden conditions

---

## Planning Tips

### Living Arrangements

**Bathroom renovation:**

- Usually can stay (use another bathroom)

- One bathroom home: Plan alternative (gym, neighbour)

**Kitchen renovation:**

- Set up temporary kitchen area

- Microwave, toaster oven, coffee maker

- BBQ for cooking

- Consider paper plates

**Major renovation:**

- May need to move out

- Factor into budget

- Plan for pets too

### Communication Preferences

Establish upfront:

- How often for updates (daily, weekly)

- Preferred method (text, email, phone)

- Who makes decisions

- How to handle after-hours questions

---

*Ready to start planning your renovation timeline? [Contact us](/contact) for a realistic project schedule.*