One of the first questions clients typically ask is, “How long will my interior design project take to complete?” Of course, as you may have guessed, there is no straightforward answer to this because there are so many variables to contend with . There are project averages, however, as well as a few guidelines I can provide so you can plan for the road ahead.
Basic timelines for typical remodels are:
- Bathrooms: 2 – 4 months
- Kitchens: 4 – 6 months
- Living rooms or bedrooms (not including the bathroom): 2 – 3 months
These times are all based on the idea that your design, order/lead times and installation move forward in a timely manner and that there aren’t any unforeseen complications or changes made midstream.
Are you working with an experienced interior designer?
One of the most important steps you can take to streamline the design and build process for your remodel is to choose an experienced interior designer. She will be instrumental in facilitating the progress of your design and should be able to give you a fairly accurate timeline once you’ve signed off on the final design.
Do you have a clear idea of what you want?
This is one of the most important factors that will affect the duration of your project. The first step with any remodel or interior design project is to hire your interior designer and get to work on the plans. The more specific you are in what you want, the easier it will be to put the plans together. That being said, you also want to be flexible enough that you can be open to any changes that might need to be made due to structural limitations or budget.
Also, if you change your mind back and forth throughout the process, this can also affect timing because it can take longer to return products and re-order new ones, a process that causes delays with construction and/or furnishing installation.
Will there be construction or structural changes involved in the process?
Not surprisingly, the more construction or structural changes that have to be made, the longer the project will take to complete. If construction is involved, it also involves more entities. You may require an engineer to evaluate whether or not the desired structural changes are possible. Then your architect will draw up the plans and the contractor and subs can start the build-out.
Sometimes, structural changes are very straightforward and you don’t need the assistance of an engineer or architect. In these cases, construction moves forward more quickly, assuming there are no unforeseen issue when they break into interior wall spaces. Of course, any complications that come up – interior plumbing or electrical work that wasn’t to code, mold or mildew damage, a beam that turns out to be load bearing and can’t be removed – all need to be dealt with before the project can continue.
Do you already know what materials and finishes you want?
Usually, the answer to this is, “No.” Perhaps you know what sink you want, or you have an idea of which kitchen cabinets you want, but most of the materials and furnishing selection happens with your interior designer. Once you’ve made your selection, items need to be ordered and delivered – this process takes time. For instance, the average lead time for cabinets is anywhere from 10 to 14 weeks, and it can take longer for certain custom items.
While a living room remodel may only take a few weeks to a month to actually design and install, the lead times for certain custom furniture or art pieces can be much longer.