Renovation Timeline: How Long Does a Renovation Take?

Every renovation moves through two broad stages: planning (design, approvals, procurement) and construction. The planning phase often takes longer than homeowners expect, but cutting it short is one of the biggest causes of blowouts during the build. Here is what to expect for each type of project we complete across the Sutherland Shire and surrounding areas.

How long does a bathroom renovation take?

A standard bathroom renovation takes 3 to 6 weeks once construction begins. This includes demolition, waterproofing, plumbing rough-in, tiling, cabinetry installation, and final fit-off. A straightforward layout swap with no structural changes sits at the shorter end. If you are relocating plumbing fixtures or combining two rooms, expect to be closer to 6 weeks.

The planning phase for a bathroom typically adds 2 to 4 weeks before construction starts. During this time you select tiles, tapware, and vanities. Because our clients purchase their own tiles and PC (prime cost) items directly, there are no builder markups, but it does mean allowing time for product lead times from suppliers.

What adds time to a bathroom project?

Waterproofing membrane curing, custom shower screen manufacturing, and unexpected plumbing issues behind walls are the most common additions. Waterproofing alone requires a mandatory curing period before tiling can begin. If your home is older (fibro and brick homes are common across Engadine, Gymea, and Jannali), hidden asbestos or deteriorated framing can add 3 to 5 days once uncovered.

How long does a kitchen renovation take?

Kitchen renovations generally run 6 to 10 weeks from demolition to completion. Kitchens involve more trades than bathrooms: electricians, plumbers, cabinetmakers, stone templaters, tilers, and painters all need to sequence correctly. Custom cabinetry manufacturing alone can take 4 to 6 weeks, which is why Dura Group orders joinery during the planning phase so it arrives on schedule.

A kitchen in a newer home with no wall removals tends to sit around the 6-week mark. If you are opening up walls to create an open-plan living area, structural engineering, beam installation, and council inspections extend the timeline toward 10 weeks or longer.

How long does a full home renovation take?

A full home renovation typically takes 3 to 6 months depending on the number of rooms, structural changes, and whether you need council approval. Full renovations touch multiple areas of the home simultaneously. We stage work so that trades flow efficiently from one zone to the next rather than waiting idle.

For a 3-bedroom home in suburbs like Caringbah or Bexley, a full internal renovation (kitchen, bathroom, laundry, new flooring, painting) without structural work usually completes in 12 to 14 weeks. Add structural modifications, a new deck, or exterior cladding and you move into the 5 to 6 month range.

If you are weighing up costs alongside your timeline, our guide on home renovation costs breaks down where your budget goes at each stage.

How long does a home extension take?

Home extensions take 4 to 8 months from site preparation through to handover. Extensions require footings, slab or subfloor framing, wall framing, roofing, and full internal fit-out. The scope varies widely: a single-room ground floor addition sits at 4 months, while a second storey addition with structural strengthening to the existing home extends to 7 or 8 months.

Extensions always require development approval. Going through our DA approval service directly affects your pre-construction timeline. A CDC (Complying Development Certificate) can be approved in as little as 20 days. A full DA through the council approval process may take 8 to 16 weeks depending on your local council’s workload.

How long does a knockdown rebuild take?

A knockdown rebuild takes 10 to 14 months from demolition of the existing dwelling to move-in. This includes demolition (1 to 2 weeks), site clearing, new slab and footings (3 to 4 weeks), framing (3 to 4 weeks), lock-up stage (4 to 6 weeks), and internal fit-out through to completion (8 to 12 weeks).

The planning phase for a knockdown rebuild is substantial. Design development, engineering, energy reports, BASIX certification, and council approvals can add 3 to 6 months before any physical work begins. Understanding the full home building process before committing helps you set accurate expectations for the full timeline.

What affects a renovation timeline?

Five factors have the greatest impact on how long your renovation takes: approval requirements, weather, material lead times, trade availability, and scope changes.

How do approvals affect the timeline?

Council approvals can add anywhere from 3 weeks to 4 months to your project before construction starts. Minor cosmetic work (painting, new flooring, replacing a kitchen with same-position plumbing) usually requires no approval. Structural changes, extensions, and new builds need either a CDC or DA. We guide clients through the right pathway early so there are no surprises. Our breakdown of Dura Group DA approvals explains which suits your situation.

How does weather affect construction?

Rain is the primary weather-related cause of delays, particularly during excavation, slab pours, and roofing stages. Sydney’s wettest months (February through March and June) can slow external work. Internal renovations are largely unaffected by weather once the building envelope is sealed. For extensions and new builds, we factor seasonal patterns into the programme when scheduling external trades.

How do material lead times cause delays?

Custom-manufactured items like joinery, stone benchtops, and structural steel carry the longest lead times, sometimes 6 to 8 weeks from order to delivery. Standard tiles and fixtures from major suppliers typically arrive within 1 to 2 weeks. Imported products or specialty items can take longer. Dura Group locks in material orders during the planning phase so everything arrives before construction begins. This single practice prevents one of the most common causes of idle time on building sites.

How does trade availability affect scheduling?

When a plumber, electrician, or tiler is unavailable on the day they are needed, the entire project can stall. Each trade depends on the one before it finishing on time. We work with trusted subcontractors who are booked into our programme weeks in advance. Because we are a family-owned business with long-standing trade relationships, our teams prioritise Dura Group projects and show up when scheduled.

What happens when the scope changes mid-project?

Scope changes during construction are the most controllable cause of delays, and the one homeowners have the most power to prevent. Adding a window, relocating a door, or upgrading from a shower to a freestanding bath mid-build means revised engineering, new materials, rescheduled trades, and sometimes fresh council approval. We encourage clients to finalise every detail during the planning phase. Our lump sum pricing model makes this easier because you know the full cost upfront, eliminating the temptation to “figure it out later.”

What does the planning phase include?

The planning phase covers initial consultation, site inspection, design development, engineering, approvals, material selection, and trade scheduling. It typically takes 4 to 12 weeks depending on project complexity.

Here is how it breaks down:

• Initial consultation and site inspection (week 1): We assess the existing structure, discuss your goals, and identify any constraints. Learn what happens during a site inspection so you can prepare.
• Design development (weeks 2 to 4): Floor plans, elevations, and 3D renders are prepared. If you are deciding between a design and build approach or separate architect and builder, this is the stage where that decision matters most.
• Engineering and approvals (weeks 3 to 10): Structural engineering, energy assessments, and council submissions happen in parallel with design finalisation.
• Material procurement and trade booking (weeks 4 to 8): Cabinetry, stone, structural steel, windows, and specialty items are ordered. Trades are locked into the programme.

By the time we break ground, every material is on order or on site and every trade knows their start date. This front-loaded planning is how we deliver projects on time.

What does the construction phase look like week by week?

Construction follows a predictable sequence: demolition, structural work, rough-in services, linings, wet area preparation, fit-out, and finishing.

For a typical full home renovation (3 to 4 months of construction):

• Weeks 1 to 2: Demolition, strip-out, and waste removal. Site protection installed.
• Weeks 3 to 4: Structural modifications (wall removal, beam installation, new openings).
• Weeks 5 to 6: Plumbing and electrical rough-in. Frames inspected.
• Weeks 7 to 8: Wall and ceiling linings (plasterboard), cornice installation.
• Weeks 9 to 10: Waterproofing, tiling, cabinetry installation.
• Weeks 11 to 12: Painting, flooring, second-fix plumbing and electrical.
• Weeks 13 to 14: Final fit-off (tapware, accessories, lighting), cleaning, and handover.

Mark personally oversees each stage and communicates progress weekly. You always know where the project stands and what is coming next.

How does Dura Group manage renovation timelines?

We prevent delays by completing all procurement and scheduling before the first day of demolition. Our approach is built on three principles that keep projects moving:

1. Materials ordered early: Joinery, stone, steel, and long-lead items are ordered during planning so they arrive before construction needs them.
2. Trades pre-booked: Every subcontractor is scheduled into the programme with confirmed dates. No scrambling to find an available tiler or electrician mid-build.
3. Fixed scope before starting: Our lump sum pricing means everything is decided, documented, and costed before work begins. No ambiguity, no “we’ll sort that later” conversations on site.

This approach means fewer idle days, tighter sequencing, and a more predictable finish date. Across projects in Caringbah, Bexley, Engadine, and surrounding suburbs, we consistently deliver within the programme we set at the start.

What causes the most common renovation delays?

Indecision during construction, late material orders, and unlicensed builders who juggle too many projects simultaneously cause the majority of delays homeowners experience.

Here are the top causes and how to avoid each one:

• Changing your mind after construction starts: Finalise every selection (tiles, fixtures, layout) before demolition day. Take your time during planning rather than rushing into construction.
• Builder not ordering materials ahead of time: Ask your builder when they order long-lead items. If the answer is “once we start,” expect gaps in the programme.
• Too many projects running at once: Some builders spread themselves across 8 to 10 jobs simultaneously. Ask how many active sites they run. Dura Group limits active projects so Mark can personally oversee every one.
• No contingency in the schedule: A realistic programme includes buffer days for inspections, curing times, and minor adjustments. If a builder quotes you an impossibly fast timeline, question whether it is achievable.
• Skipping the site inspection: Hidden issues (asbestos, termite damage, non-compliant previous work) discovered during construction cause the worst delays. A thorough site inspection before quoting identifies these risks early.

How can you prepare to keep your renovation on schedule?

Homeowners who make all selections early, respond to queries within 24 hours, and avoid scope changes after signing the contract experience the fewest delays.

Practical steps you can take:

• Visit tile and bathroom showrooms before construction starts, not during.
• Decide on appliances early so cabinetry can be designed to exact dimensions.
• Nominate one decision-maker in the household to avoid conflicting instructions.
• Set up temporary living arrangements if the renovation affects your kitchen or bathroom for more than 2 weeks.
• Keep a 10% time buffer in your personal expectations (if told 12 weeks, mentally prepare for 13).

Working with a builder who provides clear communication and a documented programme makes this easier. You will always know what decisions are needed and by when.

Ready to plan your renovation timeline?

If you are considering a renovation in the Sutherland Shire or surrounding areas, Dura Group can walk you through realistic timeframes for your specific project. We have completed over 1,000 bathroom renovations and hundreds of full home renovations across suburbs including builders in Caringbah, builders in Bexley, and Engadine builders. Explore our professional home renovation or get in touch for a free quote. Let’s create a space you’ll love coming home to.