How Long Does a DC Whole Home Remodel Take?

How long does a D.C. whole home remodel take?

If you are planning to renovate your entire house in Washington D.C., the first thing you might be wondering is how long it will take to complete. Factors like size and condition of your home, the availability of materials and labor, and the permitting approval process should all be considered. All will contribute to your project’s timeline.

In general, the construction portion of a whole house renovation in Washington D.C. can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months, and the planning can be about the same.  Each project is unique though typically a whole house renovation takes about a year from the first meeting to move in.. To get a more accurate timeline for your specific home remodeling project, be sure to talk with a PACE representative. We have extensive experience in D.C. home renovations and can guide you through the process.

Here are just a few factors that affect the duration of a home remodeling project in D.C.

Current condition: The older your home is, the more time it will take to renovate it. Before any new design work takes place, it’s important to evaluate the current state of the home. Identifying structural issues, outdated electrical and mechanical systems, asbestos or lead paint, or other hidden problems that need to be addressed in order to define the extent of the restoration that is necessary. Larger homes in need of significant restoration prior to remodeling will also require more planning, engineering, materials and labor, and an extended timeline to complete the project.

Scope of work: The more extensive the scope, the longer it will take to complete. Additions, pop-ups, modifying the layout, and installing custom features, will lead to a longer timeline than a simple “facelift”. You can expedite the process by making your design priorities clear, selecting fixtures and finishes, and being open to creative solutions when issues with the scope arise. (Note: Custom features are great, they just take a little more time. If you can incorporate custom items in your timeline and budget the final product will be worth it. Just remember that these items will require more planning and patience.)

Resources: Materials and labor are always key factors on any construction timeline. If COVID-19 taught us one thing, it’s to not take the material on the shelves for granted. Increased demands highlighted the limited availability for skilled labor and had everyone shocked at the resulting lead times. To abbreviate long waits for material and large gaps in scheduling labor, hire a reputable builder that can navigate this uncertainty with a reliable network of subcontractors and suppliers.

Permitting: The first phase of a D.C. home renovation timeline revolves around the permitting process. Home remodels in Washington, D.C. are heavily permitted to ensure that the design and plan meets not only safety requirements, but also complies with historic preservation and zoning laws. In addition, Washington, D.C. has a plethora of other required construction process permits for use of public space, dumpsters, deliveries, and parking, just to name a few. The permitting process can be arduous if you don’t engage a builder with experience in D.C. It is not unusual to wait anywhere from 2-6 weeks for permit approvals. This wait time can depend on the scope and scale of your project as well as DC response time and current backlog of applications.



As you can tell, there is no single answer for how long a whole home remodel in Washington, D.C. will take. Planning for the world we live in and staying aware of the current material and labor markets will help you make more informed decisions. Sharing your questions, concerns,  and time restraints with your local D.C. builder will help to ensure a smooth and timely home remodel.