5 Min Read
You're ready for the big change only a whole home remodel can offer. So, you've searched for timelines online so you can plan ahead. The problem is, you've found so many time ranges that planning ahead feels impossible. The beauty of working with a design-build remodeler is that we can give you the most accurate timeline possible.
Read on, and we'll tell you exactly why.
In this blog, we explain how long a whole house renovation can take in Charlotte, what happens during each phase, which factors can affect the schedule, and how thoughtful planning can help keep a complex renovation moving forward.
Table of Contents
- How Long Does a Whole House Remodel Take in Charlotte?
- What Are the Main Phases of a Whole House Remodel?
- What Can Affect a Whole House Remodel Timeline?
- How to Prepare Your Home for a Whole Home Remodel
- How 7Acre Construction Plans for the Remodel Timeline
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does a Whole House Remodel Take in Charlotte?
A whole house remodel can take approximately 8 to 16 months when you use the design-build process, depending on the size, scope, and complexity of the project.
That timeline includes much more than the months when crews are actively working inside your home. This timeline includes:
- Site visit and measurements
- Design development
- Engineering
- Permitting
- Product selections
- Ordering
- Scheduling
- Construction
- Inspections
- Final completion
A more extensive whole house remodel in Charlotte may also involve structural changes, kitchen and bathroom reconfigurations, exterior improvements, or added square footage. Each of those elements can add time to your schedule.
What Are the Main Phases of a Whole House Remodel?
A whole house remodel moves through several phases to create a finished space, with planning and pre-construction accounting for a significant portion of the overall timeline.
Keep in mind that the phases can overlap, so their individual durations should not simply be added together. The whole home remodel process, step-by-step, includes:
- Design development (2 to 4 months)
The project begins taking shape through layouts, plans, scope development, and decisions about how the existing home will change. - Permitting and approvals (1 to 3 months)
Required plans and documentation move through the appropriate approval process before permitted work can begin. - Material selections and ordering (1 to 2 months)
Products and finishes are selected, and items that require advance ordering can be coordinated with the construction schedule. - Construction (6 to 10 months)
The active construction phase may include demolition, structural work, mechanical systems, kitchens and bathrooms, finishes, exterior improvements, inspections, and completion.
A well-defined pre-construction process helps establish what needs to happen and in what order before work begins. Working with a design-build contractor can also help connect design decisions, material coordination, scheduling, and construction under one process.
What Can Affect a Whole House Remodel Timeline?
The scope of the renovation, design complexity, existing conditions, product availability, permitting, and changes during construction can all influence how long a whole home remodel takes.
Project Scope and Structural Changes
A renovation focused primarily on finishes has a different schedule from one that changes the home's structure or footprint.
Moving walls, reconfiguring kitchens and bathrooms, expanding living areas, or making significant exterior changes can introduce engineering, permitting, and additional construction steps. The more interconnected the work becomes, the more coordination the project requires.
Existing Conditions
Renovation involves working with an existing structure, and its condition can affect the schedule.
This can be especially relevant for home renovations in Charlotte's established neighborhoods, where older properties may require updates to structural components, windows, roofing, HVAC systems, siding, or other parts of the home as the project progresses.
Product Selections and Availability
Selections made during design can affect what happens later in construction.
Cabinetry, appliances, windows, doors, tile, plumbing fixtures, and other products may need to be ordered well before installation. Making those decisions early gives the project team more opportunity to coordinate ordering with the construction schedule.
Changes During Construction
Changes can happen during a renovation, but decisions made after construction begins may affect the work already scheduled.
A seemingly straightforward change can involve additional materials, subcontractor coordination, design revisions, or work in adjoining areas. Thorough communication throughout a remodeling project helps homeowners understand when those decisions may affect the scope or schedule.
How to Prepare Your Home for a Whole Home Remodel
Preparing your home before construction begins can make the transition into a major remodel easier for your household and the construction team.
☐ Decide where your family will live during construction
☐ Remove furniture, décor, artwork, and personal belongings from work areas
☐ Pack and label anything you'll need to store during the remodel
☐ Move valuables and fragile items to a secure location
☐ Make arrangements for children and pets around the construction area
☐ Identify anything in the home that needs to remain accessible during construction
☐ Discuss site access, deliveries, parking, and work areas with your contractor
☐ Review the plans, scope, and preliminary schedule before work begins
☐ Make sure major selections and decisions are completed when required
☐ Confirm how you'll communicate with your construction team throughout the project
How 7Acre Construction Plans for the Remodel Timeline
7Acre Construction uses a design-build process to develop the project scope, design, preliminary pricing, and construction plan before work begins.
An initial conversation and site visit help the team understand your goals and existing property. The project can then move into preliminary design and estimating, followed by more detailed planning that includes measurements, drawings, specifications, and engineering.
Before construction, the process also includes establishing a preliminary schedule. During construction, additional checkpoints include a pre-drywall review before insulation and drywall are installed, followed by completion and post-construction service.
With more than three decades of construction experience, Brian Macuga brings a background in remodeling, custom home building, production building, hands-on construction, customer service, and construction leadership to the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a whole house Remodel take in Charlotte, NC?
A whole house remodel may take approximately 8 to 16 months from design through construction, depending on the project's size and complexity. That timeframe includes planning and pre-construction as well as active construction. Structural changes, permitting, product lead times, and project scope can all influence the final schedule.
How long does the construction phase of a whole house remodel take?
As a working guideline, active construction on a whole house remodel may take approximately 6 to 10 months. More extensive structural changes, added square footage, exterior work, or complex interior renovations can affect that timeframe. The construction schedule should be developed around the specific scope rather than a general estimate alone.
How far in advance should I start planning a whole house Remodel?
Start your whole home remodeling process about a year and a half before your ideal finish date. This gives you plenty of time to talk to different remodeling teams, collect design ideas, and avoid rushing any phase of the process.
Design development alone may take approximately 2 to 4 months, with permitting, selections, ordering, and scheduling also occurring before construction. Starting the conversation well before your desired construction date gives more time to work through those steps. Your project team can help establish a more specific schedule once the scope becomes clearer.
Can material selections delay a Remodel?
Yes, product selections and availability can affect a remodeling schedule. Items such as cabinetry, appliances, windows, doors, tile, and plumbing fixtures may need to be selected and ordered in advance. Coordinating these decisions during planning can help align material availability with the construction sequence.
However, when you work with an experienced team, they will be able to order long-lead-time materials once they're decided upon to avoid waiting for a material to show up, delaying your remodel.
Can I stay in my house during a whole home renovation?
Many homeowners decide that living in a construction zone is too disruptive to everyday life, especially if you work from home or have small children. Consider other options, like a short term rental or staying with family. Even better is if you can find accommodations nearby so you still have the peace of mind of scheduling site visits to check on progress.
Planning a Whole House Remodel in Charlotte? Let's Talk About the Process.
A realistic remodeling timeline starts with understanding the scope of the project and what to expect during the process. If you're considering a whole home remodel in Charlotte, NC, contact 7Acre Construction to start a conversation about your home and what you'd like to change.
