Stage 1 — Budget and scope (1–2 weeks)
Set the number before you fall in love with a design. A useful rule in North Georgia: a cosmetic room refresh runs $10,000–$20,000, a full kitchen $25,000–$70,000, a primary bath $15,000–$40,000, and a whole-home renovation $80,000 and up depending on square footage and finish level.
Then write down what the project must accomplish versus what would be nice. That single list is what keeps a job on schedule when a surprise shows up behind the drywall — you already know what gets protected and what can flex.
- Hold back 10–15% as a contingency for what's behind the walls
- Decide up front whether you're living in the house during the work
- Get scopes in writing, line item by line item — not a single lump-sum number
Stage 2 — Design and selections (2–4 weeks)
This is where homeowners lose the most time, and it costs nothing to do it early. Cabinets, tile, plumbing fixtures, flooring, counters, paint and hardware should all be chosen and ordered before demolition starts.
Long-lead items are the schedule. Custom cabinetry is commonly 6–10 weeks out. Specialty windows and some appliances can run longer. If those are ordered on day one, the rest of the job flows around them instead of waiting on them.
Stage 3 — Permits and approvals (1–3 weeks)
Structural changes, electrical, plumbing, decks and additions all need permits in Paulding and Cobb County. A good contractor pulls them; you should never be filing your own permit for licensed work.
If you're in an HOA, add two to three weeks for architectural review on anything visible from the street — decks, fences, exterior paint, additions and detached structures.
Stage 4 — Demolition and rough-in (1–3 weeks)
Demo is fast and satisfying, and it's also when surprises appear: rot under a shower pan, undersized framing, aluminum wiring, a panel with no room left. Budget the contingency here.
Rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC go in next, followed by inspection. Nothing gets covered until an inspector signs off — and building around that fact is what keeps a schedule honest.
Stage 5 — Finishes (2–6 weeks)
Drywall, paint, flooring, cabinetry, counters (which are templated after cabinets are set, then fabricated for 1–2 weeks), tile, trim and fixtures. This stage runs longest on kitchens because of the countertop template gap.
Stage 6 — Punch list and final inspection (3–7 days)
Walk the job with your contractor and write one list. A single consolidated punch list gets closed out in a few days; a drip-feed of texts over three weeks does not. Final inspection and warranty paperwork close the project.
Realistic totals
Bathroom remodel: 3–5 weeks on site, 6–9 weeks including planning. Kitchen remodel: 5–8 weeks on site, 10–16 weeks including cabinet lead time. Deck build: 1–2 weeks. Whole-home renovation: 3–6 months. Add time for holidays and for any week with heavy rain if exterior work is involved.
Frequently asked.
How long does a kitchen remodel take from start to finish?
Plan on 10–16 weeks total: 2–4 weeks of design and selections, 6–10 weeks of cabinet lead time running in parallel, and 5–8 weeks of on-site work. A cosmetic refresh without cabinet replacement can be done in 2–3 weeks.
Should I move out during a renovation?
For a single bathroom or one room, no. For a full kitchen or a whole-home renovation with the HVAC or plumbing offline, most families are happier moving out for the rough-in phase and returning for finishes.
What causes renovation delays most often?
Late material selections, change orders mid-project, permit and inspection scheduling, and unforeseen conditions behind walls. The first two are entirely within your control.
Renovation Masters has been building in North Georgia for 34 years. Free written, line-item estimates across Dallas, Hiram, Acworth, Powder Springs, Kennesaw, Marietta, Woodstock, Cartersville, Canton, Douglasville, Villa Rica, Rockmart, Austell, Smyrna, Temple, Roswell, Alpharetta, Buckhead, Milton, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Vinings and the surrounding counties.