Building Material Choices: Impact on Renovation Timeline

Material Choices & How They Impact Your Renovation’s Timeline

One of the questions that we get asked a lot at Inspire Homes is, “How long will my renovation (or house addition project) take?” Our response is always the same: “There are two parts to the process – the planning stage, which includes the design and building permit, and the construction stage.”

The time required is contingent on a number of factors – from the type of renovation and the scope of the project, to how long it takes the homeowner to feel comfortable with the design and make any necessary decisions.

But, another factor that homeowners often aren’t aware of is the impact that material choices can have on a renovation’s timeline. Some choices may add a few days to a project, while others may add weeks. Either way, it’s important to be mindful of your material choices and the impacts that they present to your timeline when planning your renovation.

Here are some general guidelines to consider:

 

Tile

If you have ever ventured through a tile store, you know that the options are endless. Tile is available in an array of materials, sizes, shapes and weights – all of which can affect your renovation’s timeline depending on what you choose.

As a general rule of thumb, ceramic and porcelain tiles are easier to move, cut and install, offering little to no impact on your project’s timeline. On the other hand, natural stone tiles, like slate, marble, travertine and limestone, are more complex to install and will add to your timeline and project costs depending on the square footage.

Keep in mind that some tile choices may also take longer to order and deliver, especially if you require large quantities of a specialty tile.

 

Crown Moulding

If you are wanting to add crown moulding to your addition or renovation, you can expect to add a day to your timeline for every room in which it is installed. For example, if you are adding crown moulding to five bedrooms, your timeline will lengthen by five days.

 

Hardwood Flooring

When selecting hardwood flooring for your renovation, you typically have two choices: pre-finished and unfinished. Pre-finished hardwood is the most popular option because it offers a streamlined installation process – just cut it, nail it down and call it done. Unfinished hardwoods, on the other hand, require additional staining and finishing on-site after installation, which can add about a week to your project’s timeline.

 

Cabinetry

Cabinetry is typically offered in three formats: custom, semi-custom and stock.

Stock cabinets are mass constructed and often available right off the shelf fully assembled, offering little to no impact on your renovation’s timeline.

At the other end of the spectrum are custom cabinets, which are custom built to the exact size and specifications of your kitchen or bathroom in any material that you choose. With this option, you have the opportunity to maximize your space usage since the cabinets can be built to the quarter inch. You also have the freedom to choose exactly how you want your cabinetry to look and function. However, custom cabinets do take time to design and manufacture – up to 10 weeks from the date of order.

A nice middle ground is semi-custom cabinetry, which still adds a few weeks to your timeline, but less time than custom cabinets since the choices in sizes and finishes are somewhat limited.

 

Invest in a Designer

Whether you are considering a small renovation project to update your bathroom or a large second storey addition, a professional designer can walk you through the material selection process to ensure that your final choices meet your need for function and aesthetic, but that they also respect your budget and timeline.

To learn how we can help you inspire a love for your home again, please contact us at Inspire Homes. As an award-winning, full-service design build firm, we partner with homeowners to design and build house additions, custom homes, kitchen and bathroom renovations across the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, York Region and other surrounding areas.

To view some of our recently completed projects from across Southern Ontario, please feel free to visit our project gallery or follow along with us on Facebook.