How Long Does a Whole Home Renovation Take?

If you’re considering a whole home renovation, you’re probably trying to answer two questions at the same time. How long will it take, and how disruptive will it be. Both are fair, and both deserve a clear answer.

Whole home timelines vary more than kitchens or bathrooms because “whole home” can mean very different things. Some homes need targeted updates across several rooms. Others need major layout changes and full system upgrades. Let’s talk through what drives timing in Connecticut homes.

What’s a typical whole home renovation timeline in Connecticut?

A lighter whole home renovation often takes about three to five months once construction begins. A more substantial renovation commonly takes five to nine months. A major gut renovation can take nine to twelve months, sometimes longer, depending on layout changes, permitting, and what the home reveals after demo.

That range is wide because the work has more moving parts. Multiple trades. More inspections. More deliveries. More finish steps that have to happen in a specific order.

What usually makes whole home renovations take longer?

Scope is the biggest driver. Structural changes, new layouts, added bathrooms, significant electrical upgrades, and HVAC changes all add time because they add steps and coordination.

Older homes can add time too. Once walls and floors are opened, we might find wiring that needs updating, framing that needs reinforcement, or subfloors that need repair. It’s not unusual. It’s just part of renovating real homes in Connecticut.

Material lead times matter more at this scale. Flooring, cabinets, windows, and specialty items can become schedule anchors if they’re ordered late or changed midstream.

Can you live in the home during a whole home renovation?

Sometimes. It depends on scope and how the work is phased. If you have usable bathrooms, a functioning kitchen, and separate work zones, staying can be realistic. If the project is a full gut renovation, moving out is usually the calmer option.

This is where planning matters. A true whole home renovation is as much about logistics as it is about construction.

How do you keep a whole home renovation from feeling chaotic?

The best whole home renovations don’t feel rushed. They feel organized. The plan is clear, decisions are made early, and trades are scheduled in the right order.

It also helps to define what “done” means before you start. Are you renovating every room? Are you keeping the kitchen layout? Are you upgrading the electrical panel? Small decisions like these change timelines quickly.

How should you plan your own whole home renovation timeline?

If you want the simplest planning rule, assume the middle of the range and build in extra time for unknowns. The goal isn’t to guess perfectly. The goal is to avoid getting boxed into an unrealistic deadline.

If you want to talk through scope and timing for your home, a whole home renovation consultation is a good place to start.