One of the first questions we are asked is, “How long will the renovation take?”
It is a fair question. Renovating your home is exciting, but it can also feel disruptive, especially when you are trying to plan work, family life, finances and where you will live while everything is happening.
The honest answer is that no two renovations are exactly the same. A smaller internal refurbishment may take a few weeks, while a full renovation with structural work, an extension or major repairs can take several months.
What helps most is understanding the stages involved.
The Planning Stage
Before any work starts, there is usually a period of planning, pricing and decision-making.
This may include site visits, drawings, structural calculations, planning permission and Building Regulations approval. It is also the time to choose important items such as kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, windows and doors.
This stage can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months, depending on the size and complexity of the project.
Although it can feel frustrating to wait, good planning at the beginning usually saves time later.
For general guidance on planning permission and Building Regulations, the Planning Portal is a useful place to start.
Preparing the Property
Once the project begins, the first stage is usually strip-out and preparation.
Old kitchens, bathrooms, floors or walls may need to be removed before the main work can begin. This is also often the point where hidden issues come to light.
Older wiring, damp, damaged timbers or previous poor-quality repairs are not always visible during the first visit. Discovering them does not mean the project has gone wrong. It simply means the property needs to be made safe and sound before moving forward.
Structural and External Work
If the renovation includes removing walls, installing steelwork, repairing a roof or building an extension, this normally happens early in the programme.
Depending on the project, this stage could take several weeks or a few months.
The aim is to make the building structurally secure and weather-tight before moving on to the internal work.
For older, listed or traditional properties, our sister company Quoin & Oak Construction specialises in heritage work, including lime, stone, masonry and sensitive repairs.
Plumbing, Electrics and Plastering
Once the main structure is in place, the first-fix plumbing, electrics and carpentry can begin.
This includes work hidden behind walls and beneath floors, such as pipework, wiring, insulation and stud walls.
After that comes plastering, floor preparation and drying time.
It is important not to rush this stage. Plaster, screed and other materials need enough time to dry properly before decorating or flooring is added.
Kitchens, Bathrooms and Finishing Work
This is usually the stage when the property begins to feel like a home again.
Kitchens and bathrooms are installed, doors are hung, skirting boards are fitted, lighting is connected and decorating begins.
It can also be affected by product lead times, which is why choosing key items early is so important.
Final Checks and Handover
Before the project is finished, there will usually be a final inspection and snagging period.
This gives everyone the opportunity to check the work, test fittings and make any small final adjustments.
On a larger renovation, this may take a few days or up to two weeks.
Can You Stay in the House During the Renovation?
Sometimes, yes.
For smaller projects, it may be possible to live in another part of the house while the work is taking place. For larger renovations, especially those involving kitchens, bathrooms, heating or major structural work, temporary accommodation can make life much easier.
It is always worth discussing this before the project begins so the work can be planned around your needs.
Good Renovations Take Time
It is natural to want the work completed as quickly as possible, but the fastest timescale is not always the best one.
A realistic programme should allow enough time for proper preparation, inspections, drying, skilled trades and careful finishing.
At South Devon Construction, we believe in being honest about timescales from the start. We manage renovations, extensions and conversions across Devon, helping homeowners understand what to expect at every stage.
For projects that also include patios, drainage or external landscaping, another one of our sister companies, The Hard Landscaping Co. can complete work on the outside of the property.
Planning a renovation? Contact South Devon Construction to arrange an initial conversation about your home, your ideas and the likely next steps.
