How long does a typical bathroom renovation take from start to finish?

A typical bathroom renovation in Ottawa takes 2-4 weeks from demolition to completion, depending on the scope of work and whether you're doing a partial refresh or full gut renovation. However, this timeline assumes permits are already in hand and materials have been ordered in advance.

Planning and Permit Phase is where most projects actually begin, and this can add significant time to your overall timeline. If your renovation requires moving plumbing or electrical (which most full renovations do), you'll need building permits from the City of Ottawa, which typically take 10-20 business days to process. During this time, you should be finalizing material selections and coordinating trades - this planning phase often takes 2-4 weeks itself.

The actual construction timeline breaks down roughly as follows: demolition takes 1-2 days, followed by any necessary structural or plumbing rough-in work (2-3 days). Electrical rough-in requires ESA inspection before proceeding. Drywall installation and finishing typically takes 3-4 days including drying time. Tile work is often the longest single phase, requiring 3-5 days depending on complexity, plus 24-48 hours for grout curing. Finally, fixture installation, vanity setup, and finishing touches take another 2-3 days.

Ottawa-specific factors can impact your timeline significantly. Winter renovations may face material delivery delays due to weather, and the busy spring renovation season (April-June) can extend lead times for both materials and trades. If you're in an older Ottawa home (pre-1960s), expect potential surprises like outdated plumbing or electrical that may require additional work and inspection time.

Factors that extend timelines include custom tile work, specialty fixtures requiring longer lead times, structural modifications, or discovery of issues like water damage during demolition. Conversely, powder room renovations or simple refreshes (new vanity, toilet, and paint) can often be completed in 1-2 weeks.

Professional coordination is crucial for staying on schedule. Licensed trades must complete their work in sequence, with inspections at specific stages. Attempting to rush or skip inspection stages will ultimately delay your project and create potential insurance issues.

For a realistic timeline on your specific bathroom project, factor in 1-2 weeks for planning and permits, plus the 2-4 week construction window. Want to discuss your bathroom renovation timeline? We offer free consultations to help you plan your project properly from start to finish.