Building Project Timelines
Whether you’re considering a kitchen refit or a loft conversion and ground floor wrap-around extension, one of the first questions you’ll be asking is, “how long do building projects take?”
We’ve laid out a few timelines below, based on our collective experience in the building trade. Timings can change due to shipping disruption, illness and economic changes so we’ll attempt to keep this guide as up to date as possible so you know you’re getting the current timelines.
How long building projects take
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A loft conversion can take anything from 6 weeks to five months and sometimes beyond.
Why do loft extensions take so long?
There are multiple elements that go into a loft extension. Where the loft already has a high ceiling and easy access from the floor below, a single room conversion can be turned around reasonably quickly.
If the roofline needs raising, or structural reinforcements are needed to strengthen the house, this can add time. Also, extra elements such as ensuites will all add time on to a project.
You can learn more about what to expect from a loft conversion in our blog!
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A kitchen extension can take anything from 6 weeks to three months.
Why do kitchen extensions take so long?
As with all projects, the amount of work required will vary depending on the size of the extension and the structural integrity of your house.
If your house already has a small extension or conservatory the foundations may already be in place, which can reduce building time.
If your extension includes bespoke items, this can also add time to the project.
To find out more about what to expect from a kitchen extension read our blog!
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A kitchen refit can take anything from 2-4 weeks.
What is a kitchen refit?
A kitchen refit is a great option if you don’t need or want a full extension but you do want to upgrade a dated kitchen.
You can choose to change the layout and add all new appliances or go for a more budget-friendly version by keeping your existing cupboards but change the doors and upgrade the worktop and floor to make it feel like a brand new kitchen.
You can learn more about what goes into a kitchen refurb in our blog!
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A bathroom refit can take anything from 2-4 weeks.
What goes into a bathroom refit?
Like kitchens, bathroom refits can be a simple or as detailed as your budget allows. They can vary from simply upgrading the bath, sink and toilet to removed all the tiles, replastering walls and rerouting plumbing to help make the most of your space.
You can learn more about what goes into a bathroom remodel in our blog!
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A garden room can take anything from 2-6 weeks.
Why do garden rooms take so long to build?
Garden room build vary depending on the type and materials used, and what other work there is needed to prepare the area such as foundations.
If you want to add landscaping into your project, which we recommend, that will add time on to the project.
You can read more about what goes into creating a dream garden room in our blog!
Why it is worth knowing a rough timeline
Most of us can handle living with a bit of building work happening while at home but when it feels like it’s taking longer than it should it can get annoying. This is especially relevant if the work starts to affect your general quality of life, being without a bathroom for a fortnight might be fine but being without a kitchen or a roof for 2 months might be more than you can bear. If you have a rough timeline from your builder it will help you plan and also give you something to go back to them with as the deadline gets closer. For how to plan to live with construction work, we have a blog dedicated to just that subject and we’ll update this article with it soon!
How much time should I add to a builder’s quote?
Just as having a financial buffer in your project budget is wise, you should consider what you will do if a build runs over time. Builds frequently overrun due to all manner of circumstances beyond our control (see below) so realistically it’s worth building about 20% into your expectations. Don’t invite the in-laws to stay in your new loft room until it’s actually finished!
What can cause delays to building work being finished?
Supply chain delays - everything from Brexit to pirates in the Gulf of Aden have caused significant delays to deliveries for the past few years, this is something no builder can control, all we can do is order as soon as possible and keep you updated.
Illness - sickness happens but we’ll always try to find other staff to keep your project on track, and we’ll let you know what’s happening throughout.
Poor weather - this has ramifications mostly for external work, but if you’re having any plastering or painting included in your project wet weather can cause delays in drying time due to moisture in the air. If it’s a loft conversion we recently invested in a “tin hat” to keep the weather out which has helped us keep working even in the wettest of weather!
World events - global pandemics, regional wars, even a UK general election can be enough to impact deliveries and staff levels. We’ll keep you up to date so you’ll know that we’re doing our best to keep your project on time.
“Timelines are very personal to each job. With a kitchen extension for example, construction can take 8 weeks to make it water tight but it can take 8 more to finish and decorate, depending on the level of detail the homeowner goes into.
My favourite way to work with someone is to develop a relationship over time.
People can get detached from their homes when construction is fast.
I would rather spend years working across multiple projects than hit everything over 6-9 months.
If it’s your forever home what does it matter if it’s done in 4 years rather than 6 months?
More time allows for discussion and creativity. You learn what you can handle by doing one element at a time and that allows our relationship to build. ”
