About this template
Home renovations slip schedule for one of three reasons: a permit takes longer than expected, a trade gets booked on another job, or a material has a 6-week lead time and nobody ordered it early. A good Gantt chart makes all three visible. This template covers a 16-week renovation — large enough to include rough-in trades but not a full custom build — with realistic durations and the dependencies your general contractor will actually enforce on site.
How a 16-week renovation breaks down
Design and permits
Nothing on site happens until drawings are stamped and the permit is in hand. Architects and designers need 2–3 weeks to produce permit-ready drawings; the local building department needs another 1–4 weeks to review, depending on jurisdiction. Order long-lead items (cabinets, custom windows, special-order tile) at the end of this phase so they arrive in time for installation.
- Lock in scope and finish-level decisions
- Finalize architectural drawings
- Submit for permit
- Order long-lead materials (cabinets, windows, tile)
Demolition and rough-in
Demo is fast (1–3 days for most rooms) but generates the dust everyone forgets to plan for. The slow part is the rough-in trades: framing changes, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC all happen in this window and have to be inspected before drywall closes the walls. Schedule each trade with a 2-day buffer because inspectors do not show up on demand.
- Demolition and debris removal
- Framing changes
- Plumbing rough-in
- Electrical rough-in
- HVAC rough-in
- Rough inspections
Drywall and paint
Drywall is hang, tape, mud, sand, and prime — a full crew can do an average bathroom in 3 days and a kitchen in a week. Painting follows immediately. Ventilation matters here; a portable HEPA fan keeps dust down so the next trades do not arrive to a film of sanded joint compound on everything.
- Drywall hang and tape
- Joint compound and sanding
- Prime walls and ceilings
- Trim paint and wall color
Finishes and fixtures
Tile, flooring, cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, and lighting all install in roughly that order. Cabinets need to be perfectly level before the countertop template, and countertops take 7–10 business days from template to install. Plan one full week for tile in a master bath.
- Tile (floor and wall)
- Hardwood or LVP flooring
- Cabinet install
- Countertop template and install
- Plumbing fixtures
- Lighting fixtures
Punch list and final walkthrough
The last two weeks are about closing out the dozen small items that are always left: paint touch-ups, the cabinet door that does not close right, the outlet that was wired backwards. Final building inspection happens before move-back-in, and the contractor walks the space with you to sign off.
- Punch list walkthrough
- Final inspection
- Touch-ups and corrections
- Final walkthrough and key handover
Tips from finished renovations
- Order cabinets and countertops the moment the design is locked. Lead times have not recovered since 2022.
- Build a 15–20% contingency into the budget for surprises behind the walls. Older homes always have at least one.
- Schedule each rough-in trade with a 1–2 day buffer. Trades book on multiple jobs and slip more than any other cause.
- Do not let the painter start until you have looked at the trim under daylight — touch-ups now are 5x cheaper than touch-ups after furniture is back in.
- Take photos of every wall before drywall goes up. You will need to know where the studs and pipes are five years from now.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a typical mid-scale home renovation take?
12–20 weeks for a single-floor or kitchen-and-bath job, 6–9 months for a whole-home gut. This template targets the 16-week middle case.
What is the most-missed dependency?
Countertop template happens 1 week after cabinet install, then install is another 7–10 business days. Many DIY plans assume countertops install the same day as cabinets.
Can I customize this for my exact scope?
Yes — open it in the app and drag the bars, rename tasks, change colors, and delete what does not apply. Everything stays on your device.