Right on Schedule: How Long Should a Home Improvement Project Take?

Published on Thursday December 21, 2017

Starting a home improvement project without a timeline is like starting out on a cross-country road trip without a GPS or map—you might get to where you need to be, but you’re probably going to take a lot of detours along the way.

Why Do You Need a Timeline?

For homeowners taking on a home improvement project, time is money. The longer a project takes, the more money a homeowner spends.

Yet, depending on a number of factors—weather, permitting, room size, availability of equipment, materials and labor—a home improvement project could take anywhere from a few days to a few months. Flexibility on both sides is key.

“It’s often difficult for homeowners to know what’s realistic for each phase of the construction process,” architect Jeffrey Veffer of Incite Design wrote on home improvement and design site, Houzz.com. “Just as there is not one piece of art that everyone agrees is perfect, there is no construction timeline that fits all projects.”

No matter the size or scope of your home improvement project, working with your contractor or project professional to establish a realistic timeline is fundamental to saving time, money and blown expectations.

Here are some timeline estimates for a few of the most popular home improvement projects.

Roof Replacement: 2-3 weeks

Before even lifting a hammer, a good roofing professional or product specialist will want to schedule an in-home consultation to review the project, discuss any special needs or considerations, and make sure the homeowner understands how the process works.

The contractor will also bring physical roofing samples in a wide selection of colors, styles and designs so you can see exactly what options are available. They might also discuss the right financing options for the project, go over the warranty package and even pick the perfect day to complete the roof installation.

The initial consultation will conclude with the contractor taking measurements. For example, Long Home Products uses state-of-the-art, satellite technology to precisely measure the roof of your home.

This ensures the right amount of roofing materials are ordered—thereby saving costs and reducing waste—and helps provide a better estimate on how long the project will take.

Once the roofing contractor has the measurements, products will be custom-ordered and installation can begin. The installation process includes protecting the property, removing old roofing materials, inspecting the wood decking, and installing drip edges.

Finally, there’s work site cleanup (including a high-powered magnet sweep to pick up any stray nails or metal) and a final inspection with the homeowner.

Siding Replacement: 3-4 weeks

Similar to a roofing project, a siding project starts with an initial in-person consultation to go over the project details, needs, and the products available. Today’s siding comes in an abundance of colors, sizes and materials, so a design expert can help guide you to the look that best complements your home’s exterior.

An inspection of the current siding, as well as precise measurements of the entire exterior of the house will be taken. A schedule will be determined, taking into account the size of your home and weather conditions. Then, the contractor will order materials and help determine a date for on-site delivery of the products.

On the day of installation, the property site will be prepped, the old siding removed, and the substrate will be examined for any rotten or damaged wood that could be easily cut out and replaced.

Provided that there is no major damage to the substrate, the siding team will add insulation and wrap the entire home in weatherproofing material for protection.

Next, they’ll install flashing in areas where water could seep in—inside and outside corners, doors, and windows. Then the chosen siding and trim materials will go up, all joints between the siding and trim will be sealed to help prevent water intrusion.

Window Replacement: 6-8 weeks

The process starts with an in-home consultation to go over the style options and materials, warranties, energy-efficiency information (including any ENERGY STAR certification), and possible tax credits or rebates.

The contractor will then measure the height and width of the pocket openings for all the windows you want replaced, and a scheduled start date will be established.

An order for the new, custom-measured windows will be placed—which can be the longest part of the process, depending on the uniqueness of the windows and where the manufacturer is located. Meanwhile, the contractor will get any permits required for the project.

Once the windows come in, installation begins. The contractor and his team will prepare the worksite by laying drop clothes under the windows that will be worked on, and, if need be, closing off any rooms where the windows will not be replaced.

The existing windows will be removed and disposed of, insulation will be added around the window opening, and the new windows will be inserted and adjusted for the best fit before they are secured in place.

The final steps include adding any screens, caulking to seal the new window in place, and adding the metal capping before site cleanup. 

Door replacement: 3 hours-1 day

With a certified, experienced team of technicians, an exterior door replacement or installation should take less than a day, so there’s no need to worry about having an unsecured home overnight.

A measurement and design consult in your home will help narrow down and customize the options for a complete entry door system. Homeowners can choose from fiberglass doors, steel doors, French doors, patio door systems, vinyl patio doors, storm doors and pet doors, to name a few.

Add in internal blinds, internal and external grids, decorative glass details and the possibilities are endless.

Once a door system and work schedule is agreed upon, the contractor will prepare and protect the work site, removing and disposing of the old door and frame before preparing the opening for the new door.

A new door and frame is then installed, ensuring the door unit is level before carefully securing it and adding insulation or trim.

Considering a home improvement project? Give us a call.

When it comes to tackling a home improvement project, knowing what to expect is often half the battle. Working with the experienced technicians at Long Home Products can go a long way towards helping bring your home improvement projects in on time and under budget.

Whether it’s a new roof, windows, siding or doors, we’re the go-to replacement and installation experts for all your home improvement needs. Contact Long Home Products to request an estimate online. We build trust and peace of mind into every Long product.

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