How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take?
You think it’ll be a quick project. New flooring tile, a fresh vanity, maybe a nicer tub. But somewhere between the demo and the backordered fixtures, reality hits: how long is this actually going to take?
A bathroom remodel is one of the most common upgrades homeowners tackle. And one of the most underestimated in terms of time. There are moving parts, city permits, subcontractors, and the occasional curveball behind the walls.
This guide lays it all out for you: how long does it take to remodel a bathroom, what to expect, what slows things down, and how to keep your remodel moving without cutting corners.
Key Takeaways
Most bathroom remodels take 3 to 6 weeks of active construction, plus extra time for planning, permitting, and material ordering.
Full project timelines usually range from 6 to 10 weeks, depending on the scope, home age, and contractor coordination.
Cosmetic updates (like paint and fixtures) take less time, while full gut renovations or layout changes take longer.
Delays happen most often due to permit wait times, custom bathroom materials, or poor scheduling between trades.
Planning early and choosing materials upfront is the best way to avoid timeline setbacks.
Working with a contractor who keeps the schedule tight (and communicates well) makes all the difference.
How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take?
On average, a full bathroom remodel takes about 3 to 6 weeks of hands-on construction. But if you include the time it takes for planning, design, material ordering, and permitting, the entire renovation process can stretch to 6 to 10 weeks or longer.
The timeline of your bathroom remodel depends on several factors, such as how much work you're doing, how old your home is, and whether you’re working with stock or custom materials. Even something as simple as waiting on a vanity delivery or a city inspection can add a few days to the schedule.
If you’re wondering how long it takes to remodel a bathroom phase by phase, this post breaks it all down so you can plan for the real timeline, not the wishful one.
The Stages of a Typical Bathroom Remodel
A bathroom remodel is a series of carefully timed steps. And each one depends on the last being done right. When the schedule’s tight and the planning’s solid, everything flows. When it’s not, things stall.
Here’s how the full bathroom remodeling process usually plays out.
Planning and design (1 to 3 weeks)
This is where your vision takes shape. You’ll work with your contractor or designer to map out layout changes, choose finishes, and lock in the scope. It comprises making sure what you want is possible in the space you have, and that it lines up with your budget.
The more decisions you make upfront, the fewer delays you’ll hit later.
Permits and approvals (1 to 2 weeks)
If you're moving plumbing, adding outlets, or doing any electrical work, you'll likely need permits. Some cities process them in a few days. Others? Not so fast.
The key is applying early, knowing what’s required, and having a contractor who’s used to navigating the system. Skipping this step can cost you time and money later.
Material procurement (2 to 6 weeks)
Ordering materials sounds simple, but this is where most bathroom remodel timelines fall apart. Cabinets, floor tile, fixtures, and glass often have lead times. And if you’re going custom? Double-check the ETA before demo day.
At Revive Works, we always recommend locking in materials early because delays in shipping lead to delays on-site.
Demolition and prep (2 to 5 days)
This part moves fast. The old bathroom tile comes out, drywall gets opened, and the space is stripped down to the wall studs. It’s also when surprises tend to show up, like water damage, bad wiring, or outdated plumbing.
A good crew moves quickly but carefully here. If anything unexpected shows up, it's better to catch it now than after new bathroom finishes are installed.
Plumbing, electrical, and rough-ins (4 to 7 days)
Once the space is cleared and prepped, it’s time to reroute plumbing, update wiring, and install new framing or backing. This stage sets the foundation for everything that follows, so getting it right matters.
At this point, inspections are often required before closing up the walls.
Inspections (if required) (1 to 5 days)
Your local building department may require a rough-in inspection before tile, drywall, or cabinetry goes in. Timing here depends on the city’s schedule and how quickly your general contractor can book and pass the inspection.
It’s usually a short pause, but a necessary one to make sure the project meets code.
Installation and finishes (2 to 3 weeks)
This is where it finally starts to look like a bathroom again. Tile goes up, the vanity gets installed, lighting is wired in, the toilet and shower go in, and final paint touches wrap it all up.
Each finish has to happen in a specific order. And if one phase gets delayed, the rest stack up. Clear scheduling here is key to finishing strong.
What Can Affect Your Bathroom Renovation Timeline?
Even the most organized remodels can hit a few snags. Some delays are preventable, others aren’t. But knowing what to watch for helps you plan smarter and stress less.
The biggest factors that can push your project ahead (or slow it down) are as follows.
Scope of work: cosmetic vs full-gut
If you're doing a surface-level refresh, think new paint, fixtures, faucet, and maybe a bathroom vanity, you might be done in two weeks or less. But once you're tearing out tile, rerouting plumbing, or changing the layout, you're adding layers of complexity.
Full-gut remodels naturally take longer because there’s more coordination, more inspection, and more hands involved.
Permit delays and inspection wait times
Some cities are quick and others can be slow. If you need plumbing and electrical permits, the turnaround time depends on your local building department and how backed up they are.
Delays aren’t always in your contractor’s control, which is why it's important to start permitting early and stay flexible when inspection dates shift.
Custom vs in-stock materials
Custom cabinetry, imported tile, or made-to-order glass can elevate your space. But they often extend the timeline. Even standard items can be delayed if they’re out of stock when you order.
To keep things moving, order early and have backup options in case something’s unavailable when you need it.
Contractor availability and coordination
Bathroom remodels rely on multiple trades: plumbers, electricians, tile installers, painters. If one of them is behind schedule or double-booked, your whole project can stall.
That’s why working with a contractor who keeps a tight schedule and communicates well is key. At Revive Works, we line up trades in advance so there’s no guesswork about who’s showing up or when.
How Long Should a Bathroom Renovation Take if You’re Remodeling an Older Home?
Older homes come with charm, but also with surprises. And those surprises? They often add time to your bath remodel. If your house was built before the 1980s, expect the timeline to stretch a bit beyond the typical 3 to 6 weeks.
Here’s why.
Common issues in older bathrooms
You don’t always know what’s behind the walls until demo begins. It’s not unusual to find outdated wiring, corroded pipes, non-standard framing, or even old water damage that’s been quietly causing problems for years.
Fixing those issues takes time and usually requires a few extra steps to bring everything up to code.
Demo takes longer, and so does rework
Pulling up old tile or cutting into plaster walls is slower than working with newer materials. And if you’re working around original details you want to preserve, that takes extra care and time as well.
We’ve worked on plenty of older Portland homes, and here’s the truth: when done right, a remodel in an older space often takes a little longer. But it also holds up better in the long run.
Tips to Keep Your Bathroom Remodel on Schedule
There’s no magic shortcut to remodeling, but there are smart moves that keep the process moving. The more prepared you are on the front end the fewer headaches you'll deal with once the dust starts flying.
Stay on track without cutting corners with these tips.
Finalize selections before demo begins
Waiting until the last minute to choose tile, vanities, or fixtures is one of the biggest causes of project delays. Even a short backorder can halt everything.
Get your materials picked, ordered, and confirmed before demo starts. That way, when it’s time to install, everything’s ready to go.
Be available for quick decisions
Remodels move fast once they start. Questions will come up about grout lines, lighting placement, trim details, etc. If your contractor can’t reach you, things pause.
Staying reachable and decisive keeps the job running like clockwork. A quick yes or no can save days of delay.
Hire a contractor who manages the schedule well
Not all delays are about materials. Many are about people. Plumbers, electricians, tile crews. They all need to show up in the right order, at the right time. If one trade is late, everyone else gets pushed back.
Work with someone who understands project flow and keeps everything (and everyone) moving.
Average Time for Remodels Based on Scope and Size of the Bathroom
Not every bathroom remodel needs the same amount of time. A small powder room refresh moves a lot faster than a full gut job with custom tile and plumbing changes.
A quick look at how long each type of remodel usually takes, start to finish:
Powder room facelift (1 to 2 weeks)
This is the fastest type of remodel. If you're just swapping out a vanity, mirror, light fixture, and giving the walls a fresh coat of paint, a small bathroom remodel can often be done in a week or two. That’s assuming materials are on hand and no surprises pop up.
No plumbing moves, no structural work, only surface updates.
Standard bathroom update (3 to 4 weeks)
Most full bathrooms fall into this range. You’re replacing tile, upgrading fixtures, maybe installing a new vanity or tub. But the layout stays the same.
It’s enough work to require coordination across multiple trades, but not so much that you’re rebuilding from the ground up. This is the most common remodel type we see.
Full gut remodel (4 to 6+ weeks)
If you’re moving plumbing, installing new custom cabinetry, updating electrical, or changing the layout entirely, you’re looking at a more involved process.
These projects take longer because there are more moving parts and more chances for scheduling delays if trades aren’t lined up right.
They also often require permits and multiple inspections, which can add a few days here and there depending on your city.
Final Thoughts
A bathroom remodel can take between 3 to 6 weeks to complete, but your full timeline depends on how well things are planned before the work starts.
Want a clear, realistic timeline for your bathroom remodel project in Portland, OR?
Reach out to Revive Works Remodeling. We’ll walk you through every phase, keep things moving, and make sure there are no surprises. Just results you’ll love.