Renovation Guide: What to Expect Before, During, and After Your Renovation Project

Renovating a home is a big undertaking that requires careful planning and coordination.

Whether you’re planning a major overhaul or sprucing up a small area, a professional design firm can help you manage your project for a seamless experience. From sourcing materials, hiring the right professionals and keeping things on schedule, they also help navigate unexpected delays and ensure the process is running smoothly. 

Still, it’s crucial to be aware of and understand the stages of your renovation, as it’ll help you stay prepared for what’s to come. To give you a clearer idea, we’ve broken it down into three key stages: before, during, and after. Read on to see what happens at each stage and what to expect along the way.

Disclaimer: Timelines may vary depending on the project scope, designer firm, and unit type. Some stages may also run concurrently. Use this as a general guide, but expect some differences based on your specific renovation.

1. Finalising design and plans | 2 months

Before moving ahead with your renovation, it’s important to discuss all the design details with your interior professional. From concept to furniture, this is your chance to provide your input and finalise on the necessary plans, material selection and quotations.

2. Approval and permits | <1 week or more

While acquiring approvals for a simple remodeling would take less than a week, projects like extending the home or adding another floor level could take months as they require approvals from local authorities and councils.

3. Material and furniture procurement | 4 weeks or more

At this stage, materials such as tiles, flooring, light fixtures, and sanitary fittings are sourced based on the approved design. Your designer will also begin ordering furniture and key decor elements to ensure everything arrives on time for installation. Some items, like custom-made furniture or imported materials, may have longer lead times, so early procurement is essential.

4. Site preparation and protection | 1 to 2 weeks

During this time, mobilisation work will be carried out to ensure resources and utilities are in place and that the site is protected with coverings to prevent damage and keep dust and debris from spreading around.

5. Hacking and dismantling | 1 to 2 weeks

The first step is tearing down unwanted elements, such as old cabinets, wall tiles, flooring, and non-structural walls. This clears the space for new installations. Debris is removed promptly to keep the site clean and manageable.

6. Wet works | 4 to 6 weeks

New partition walls are built, damaged areas are repaired, and tiling work begins. If your renovation includes new tiled walls or flooring (such as in bathrooms or kitchens), this is when it gets installed.

7. Plumbing works | 1 week

Pipes are installed or relocated to accommodate the new layout. This includes work for water inlets, outlets, and drainage, especially in wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries.

8. Electrical works | 1 to 2 weeks

Wiring is concealed in walls and ceilings, with new power points, switches, and lighting installations planned according to your design. Since this involves hacking walls to hide wiring, it often runs alongside wet work.

9. Plaster ceiling and wall smoothing | 1 to 2 weeks

Once wiring is done, new plaster ceilings are installed, and wall openings made by electricians are patched up. This prepares the space for painting and final finishes.

10. Painting works | 1 to 2 weeks

Walls and ceilings are painted according to the agreed colour palette. This step also includes touch-ups to smooth out any minor imperfections.

11. Carpentry and aluminum works | 4 to 8 weeks

Carpentry work such as built-in cabinets, wardrobes, and kitchen fittings is fabricated off-site before installation. At the same time, aluminium work for sliding doors, windows, or glass partitions is completed. Since this step involves precise measurements, carpenters typically visit the site earlier to take dimensions before production.

12. Final fixtures and installations | 2 to 4 weeks

Sanitary fittings like sinks, taps, and toilet bowls are installed. Flooring (such as vinyl, SPC, or timber) is laid, and final decorative elements like wallpaper or feature walls are applied. Curtain rods and window treatments may also be installed at this stage.

13. Cleaning and defects rectification | 1 to 2 weeks

During this stage, a thorough cleaning is done to remove dust and debris from construction. Be sure to check for any defects and ensure that all work is done according to the agreed-upon specifications and quality standards.

14. Furniture delivery and styling | 1 to 2 weeks

Furniture ordered earlier arrives on-site, and your designer coordinates placement to match the intended layout while finishing up the space with any soft furnishings and decorative accents.

15. Handover | Client-dependent

Once you’re ready to move in, do a final inspection with your designer. If you need any tips on maintaining your new home, from preventing damage to the materials or cleaning the furniture, now’s the perfect time to ask.

Renovating may seem overwhelming, but breaking it down into stages makes it more manageable. With the right interior professional guiding the process, you’ll have a well-organized timeline and a beautifully completed space without the stress of coordinating every detail yourself.

Ready to begin your renovation journey? Connect with trusted interior professionals or browse through their projects for more ideas.