Understanding the Timeline: How Long Do Home Renovations Take?

Home renovations are exciting, but one of the biggest concerns homeowners have is time. How long will it take to get an estimate? When can the project start? What if there are delays? Understanding industry standards can help set realistic expectations—but also highlight when a company is doing things differently.

At FreshLook, we recognize how stressful waiting can be. That’s why we’ve built our process to move faster than the industry norm, helping you get from idea to finished project as efficiently as possible.

The Typical Industry Timeline

1. Initial Response from Contractor: After you reach out, a reputable contractor should respond within 24–72 hours. Responsiveness here is a strong indicator of how they’ll communicate throughout the project. If you wait weeks just to hear back, that may be a red flag.

2. Scheduling a Project Walkthrough: Industry standard: It can take one to two weeks just to get a walkthrough scheduled.

   FreshLook Difference: As long as your schedule permits, we typically schedule walkthroughs within one week of your inquiry, keeping your project moving right away.

3. Receiving an Estimate: Industry standard: Estimates may take 1–3 weeks, depending on project complexity and the contractor’s workload.

   FreshLook Difference: We deliver clear, detailed estimates in 5-7 days—so you can make decisions faster and keep momentum.

4. Project Start Date: Industry standard: After the contract is signed, projects often don’t start for 2–4 months due to backlogs and scheduling delays.

   FreshLook Difference: Once your estimate is approved, we strive to begin your project within 2-4 weeks.

Why Speed Matters

Every extra week of waiting means more disruption to your daily life (especially if you're in the middle of buying or selling a house). Faster timelines allow you to:

• Minimize the movement in the price of materials and labor that could take place over time

• Avoid making another monthly mortgage payment when hiring to update a house before listing for sale

• Get in to the house you bought faster without having to occupy the residence during the remodeling phase of the project.

At FreshLook, we’re often hired when buyers want to renovate a new home before moving in or when sellers need updates to maximize their return before listing—and in both cases, speed is critical.

Choosing the Right Contractor

Beyond speed, the right contractor should bring:

• Responsiveness: Quick replies show they respect your time.

• Clear Communication: You should always know the next step.

• Transparency: Honest timelines—even if longer—build trust.

• Professionalism: Staying on schedule during the planning phase reflects reliability during construction.

At FreshLook, we believe speed should never come at the expense of quality. Our focus is on streamlined processes, proactive communication, and reliable scheduling—so your renovation feels exciting, not overwhelming. Industry standards can make renovations feel like a long waiting game—but they don’t have to. With FreshLook, you don’t just get a beautiful home transformation—you get it faster, smoother, and with less stress.