How long does a home renovation take in Scarborough? The size of your project matters less than one thing most homeowners never think to ask about: the order the work actually happens in.
What Affects Renovation Timeline
Timeline isn’t just a function of how big the project is. It’s a function of sequence. A small bathroom renovation where design changes keep happening after permits are submitted can take longer than a larger project where every decision was finalized before anything went to the city. The order renovations actually happen in matters more than most people realize when they’re trying to estimate how long their own project will take.
Older Scarborough homes add another variable. Discoveries behind the walls, outdated wiring, plumbing that needs replacing, can shift scope partway through, which affects timeline the same way a design change would.
The Typical Project Phases
Design and Planning
This is where every decision gets made, layout, finishes, scope, before anything is submitted to the city. Rushing this phase to get to construction faster usually backfires, since unfinished design decisions tend to surface later as change requests once permits are already in review.
Permits and Documentation
Once design is fully resolved, construction drawings and permit applications go to Toronto Building. A complete, finished application moves through review more smoothly than one that gets revised partway through, since revisions typically mean resubmitting and waiting on the updated version.
Construction and Handover
Once permits are approved, construction begins with trades coordinated in sequence. A final walkthrough and defects list close out the project, confirming everything matches what was designed and agreed on.
How Delays Happen
Most delays trace back to one of two things: design decisions that weren’t actually finalized before permits were submitted, or discoveries behind the walls that weren’t accounted for in the original scope. The first is avoidable by not rushing the earliest phase of the project. The second is minimized, though not always eliminated, by measuring and understanding the existing conditions of an older home before construction starts, rather than discovering them once walls are open.
Want a realistic timeline for your specific project?
Book a ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
Does a bigger renovation always take longer?
Not necessarily. A smaller project with unresolved design decisions can take longer than a larger one where everything was finalized before permits were submitted.
What’s the biggest cause of renovation delays?
Design changes made after permits are already in review, since that typically means resubmitting and waiting again. Discoveries behind the walls in older homes are the second most common cause.
Can I speed up my renovation by starting construction sooner?
Usually not safely. Starting before design and permits are fully resolved tends to create delays later, rather than saving time overall.
Do older Scarborough homes take longer to renovate than newer ones?
Sometimes, mainly because of what can be discovered once walls open, outdated wiring or plumbing that wasn’t part of the original scope. Measuring existing conditions upfront reduces this risk.
What’s the first step to get a realistic timeline for my home?
A free consultation and initial site visit, where we talk through your project and give you an honest sense of what the process looks like for your specific home.
Ready to Talk About Your Renovation?
Every project starts with a first site visit, where Sandra and Johanna walk through your home and talk honestly about what the timeline actually looks like. Fill out the form below and we’ll follow up to schedule yours.
