The Realistic Range, and Why It Varies So Much
"How long will it take" is one of the hardest questions to answer honestly, because a full house renovation can mean very different things. Here's the realistic range based on property size and scope:
| Property | Scope | Realistic timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 3-bedroom terrace | Full strip-out and refit — kitchen, bathroom, electrics, plumbing, plastering, decorating | 3–4 months |
| 4–5 bedroom house | Full renovation including an extension or loft conversion | 5–7 months |
These are on-site build timelines once work starts. If your project includes an extension or loft conversion that needs full planning permission rather than Permitted Development, add a further 8–10 weeks for the council's determination period before any building work can begin.
The Phase-by-Phase Breakdown
Every full house renovation, regardless of size, moves through the same broad phases. Here's what happens in each one and roughly how it fits into the overall programme:
Design, Survey & Planning
Structural surveys, drawings, structural engineer calculations where needed, and planning or Building Regulations applications submitted. Your fixed-price quote is itemised to every trade before any work starts on site. If planning permission is required, this phase alone can take 8–10 weeks while the council determines the application.
Strip-Out
Old kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and fittings removed; skips ordered; the property stripped back to a clean shell ready for first fix. Usually the fastest phase, typically 3–5 days for a full property.
Structural Work & First Fix
Any wall removal, steel beam installation, extension groundworks or loft structural work happens here, alongside first-fix electrics and plumbing — the cabling and pipework that goes in before walls are closed up. This is usually the longest single phase, particularly where structural or extension work is involved.
Plastering
Walls and ceilings skimmed once first fix is signed off. Plaster needs to dry fully before second fix can begin, which is a hard time constraint that can't be rushed without affecting the finish.
Second Fix
Kitchen units, bathroom suites, flooring, sockets, switches, radiators and doors all go in. This is when the property starts to visibly look finished, even though several weeks of work usually remain.
Decorating & Snagging
Final painting, tiling grout and sealant, fitting handles and trims, and a full snagging walkthrough before handover. We address any snagging items before you move back in, not after.
Why First Fix and Plastering Take the Longest
Of all six phases, first fix and plastering combined usually account for the largest share of the programme. Every other trade depends on them being finished correctly, you can't tile a bathroom before the plastering is dry, and you can't fit a kitchen before the electrics are first-fixed. Rushing this stage to hit an artificial deadline is the single biggest cause of renovation problems we see in properties we're asked to fix after another contractor's work.
How Individual Trades Add Up
A full house renovation typically bundles several trades that, individually, have their own timelines. Seeing them separately helps explain why a full property takes longer than the sum of any one room:
- Kitchen — 1–5 weeks depending on scope (see our kitchen cost guide)
- Bathroom — 5–12 working days depending on type (see our bathroom cost guide)
- Loft conversion — 4–14 weeks depending on type (see our loft conversion cost guide)
- House extension — 8–20 weeks depending on type (see our extension cost guide)
In a full house renovation these trades run in a coordinated sequence rather than back-to-back, which is why an experienced project manager, not just skilled tradespeople, is what actually keeps a multi-trade renovation on schedule.
Do You Need to Move Out?
In most cases, yes. For a full property renovation you'll typically need alternative living arrangements for the duration, particularly once electrics, water and heating are disconnected during first fix. We plan the programme as tightly as possible to minimise the period you're out, and the property is secured at the end of every working day.
What Can Extend the Timeline
- Hidden issues once walls are opened up — older Manchester properties sometimes reveal outdated wiring, damp, or structural timber decay that wasn't visible at survey stage
- Material lead times — bespoke kitchen units or specific tile ranges can have longer supplier lead times than standard stock
- Decision delays — choosing tiles, fittings and finishes ahead of when they're needed keeps second fix moving without gaps
- Planning conditions — some planning approvals come with conditions (e.g. material samples for approval) that must be discharged before certain work can proceed
A good contractor flags any of these immediately with a revised, costed timeline, not silence followed by a missed deadline. We provide a week-by-week programme before work starts and update it transparently if anything changes. See our full house renovation service page for more on how we manage multi-trade projects, or browse completed renovations on our projects page.