Loading…
Loading…
Guide
Most renovations move through the same stages. First comes planning and design, where you settle on the scope, pick your finishes, and get drawings ready. Next is permitting, where the county reviews and approves the plans. Then comes the build itself, done in a set order so each trade can do its part. Last is the final inspections and the punch list, which are the small fixes at the end.
Each of these takes time, and skipping ahead in one stage often just creates a delay in another.
The build is what everyone pictures, but the planning stage is where projects often stall. Choosing cabinets, tile, fixtures, and finishes takes real time, and nothing can be ordered until those choices are made. The best thing you can do to keep a project on track is to make your selections early and stick with them. Every change after the work starts adds time.
Once plans are ready, the county has to review them. Simple permits can clear quickly. Bigger jobs with structural, electrical, and plumbing work take longer and may come back with questions before approval. This step is mostly out of your hands, but a contractor who knows the local process and submits complete plans the first time avoids the back-and-forth that drags it out.
Construction follows an order that cannot be rushed. You cannot close up a wall before the wiring and plumbing behind it pass inspection. You cannot lay tile before the surface under it is ready. Materials also have to arrive on time, and some items have long lead times, especially cabinets and windows. A good contractor orders those early so the crew is not standing still waiting for a delivery.
A few things cause most of the slippage. Late decisions on finishes hold up orders. Changes after the work begins ripple through the whole schedule. Surprises behind the walls, like old wiring or water damage, add time to fix. And products with long lead times can set the pace whether you like it or not. None of these mean the project is going badly. They are the normal friction of remodeling an existing home.
You have more control over the timeline than it may feel like. Decide on your finishes early. Avoid changes once the work starts. Ask your contractor about lead times up front so long-order items are handled first. And build a little cushion into your expectations, because an older home almost always has one surprise in it.
Worth Properties is a licensed general contractor in Palm Beach County, license CGC 1541042. If you want a realistic timeline for your project before you commit, call 561-806-8987.