A home design television show may lead you to believe a makeover only takes one to three days. However, a home makeover can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to complete. The timeline depends on how many rooms you are renovating and how much work is needed for each room. Use the following guide from Alair Homes South Tampa to create a realistic design and construction timeline.

Gather Design Ideas

The first step is to gather design ideas for your home, which you can do by collecting pictures of rooms, spaces and elements that catch your eye. Your designer will help you choose the ideas that are best for your style and budget. It is recommended to save a variety of ideas so you can have your pick of the bunch.

It is best to start gathering your ideas several months or even a year in advance. You do not want to make a last minute decision that you will regret later.

Permits and Requirements

You want to look into permits, codes and other requirements before diving right into your project. It is also important to learn the limitations of your space by looking into documents and CAD plans for past projects.

Create Your Timeline

You never know when your renovation is going to hit a delay, and this is why it is important to create a realistic timeline for your project. Remember to include ordering and receiving your materials in your timeline.

Design Phase Timeline

You need to make a variety of decisions during the design phase, so you want to give this phase a timeline of two to six months. Plan for two months for just one room and four to six months for several rooms.

One week to one month: Use this time to contact your city department about permits and requirements for your project. Set up an on-site consultation with experts such as a mold inspector, and be sure to have the space professionally measured for renovation.

One to three months: Start gathering ideas for your home design. Work with your designer to set a goal based on your ideas.

Two weeks to three months: Start shopping for your furniture, finishes and materials. Use your budget and ideas to compare the styles, tradespeople and prices for your project.

Construction Phase Timeline

You never want to go into a project assuming it will be finished by the deadline. There is always a chance that an unexpected situation could cause a delay in your project. You can prepare for delays by giving this phase a reasonable timeline.

One to six months: The delivery of your products. If you are ordering from within the country, you may only have to wait four to six weeks for your products to be delivered. However, it can take several months for your materials to arrive from overseas.

One to six months: The actual renovation. It is best to expect one month for a single room and three months for several rooms. You should also expect six months to a year for your entire home.

You may not be able to start on the renovation until you receive your materials, so you want to plan the delivery and renovation as two steps.

Buffer Time

You never know when you are going to face a delay or challenge during your project. You can handle unexpected problems without stressing out by adding at least two months of buffer time to your timeline. One example is a project that needs to be completed by the beginning of September. You should really aim to have the project completed by the beginning of July.

Example Timeline

The following is an example of a timeline for a kitchen renovation. The kitchen measures at 160 square feet.

Design phase:

One month: Use this time to look into permits and other requirements, and start gathering ideas for your home design.

Two months: Start shopping for products such as hardware, paint, finishes, countertops and window treatments.

Renovation phase:

One month: The products you ordered locally are delivered, and this means you can start the renovation phase.

Two months: Your buffer time is added for unexpected emergencies and delays.

The total planned timeline for this kitchen renovation is six months.

Set a Realistic Budget

It is important to be honest about your budget from day one. Your designer or tradesperson needs to know how much you can spend on your renovation. You can avoid surprise fees by setting a realistic budget for your project.

Choose Your Start Date

Your tradesperson may be booked up during the summer or holiday season, so it is best to start during an off-season so your tradesperson is available. It also never hurts to start several months to a year before your desired deadline.

When you are ready to start your renovation, contact Alair Homes South Tampa. We specialize in renovations and custom home building.