SIMPLY HOME / BLOG
Dear Austin Mamas
Simply Home helps Austin moms transform their homes into functional, beautiful, and wellness-focused spaces. From planning and budgeting to dust-free construction and proactive project management, we take care of the details so you can enjoy a home that truly works for your family.
Typical remodel timelines in Austin
These are planning averages, not promises. Actual timelines depend on scope complexity, material lead times, and whether permitting is required.
Kitchen remodel timeline
Most
kitchen remodels average
about 2 months from the start of construction to completion.
If permitting is required, plan for
an additional 2–4 weeks depending on scope and inspection sequencing.
Bathroom remodel timeline
Most
bathroom remodels average
about 1 to 1.5 months.
If permitting is required, plan for
an additional 1–2 weeks.
Full home remodel timeline
Full home remodels commonly range
4–8 months, depending on scope, phasing, and complexity.
If permitting is required, it can add
about a month to the overall timeline depending on the scope and approvals/inspections needed.
A simple rule: timelines are driven less by square footage and more by
scope decisions, sequencing, and approvals.
Typical remodel timelines in Austin
These are planning averages, not promises. Actual timelines depend on scope complexity, material lead times, and whether permitting is required.
Most
kitchen remodels average
about 2 months from the start of construction to completion.
If permitting is required, plan for
an additional 2–4 weeks depending on scope and inspection sequencing.
Most
bathroom remodels average
about 1 to 1.5 months.
If permitting is required, plan for
an additional 1–2 weeks.
Full home remodels commonly range
4–8 months, depending on scope, phasing, and complexity.
If permitting is required, it can add
about a month to the overall timeline depending on the scope and approvals/inspections needed.
A simple rule: timelines are driven less by square footage and more by
scope decisions, sequencing, and approvals.
Permits in Austin: how they affect remodel timelines
Not every remodel requires permits, but when permits are needed, they can impact both start dates and construction sequencing (especially when inspections are part of the critical path).
- Kitchen remodels: permitting can add ~2–4 weeks
- Bathroom remodels: permitting can add ~1–2 weeks
- Additions / full home remodels: permitting can add ~1 month
We plan for permits early on as part of our process to keep projects efficient and effective—so approvals and inspections don’t become last-minute surprises.
The phases of a remodel (and what each phase controls)
A predictable remodel isn’t about rushing. It’s about putting the right work in the right order.
This is where timelines are won or lost. If scope is vague, schedules drift. If scope is defined, timelines become much more predictable.
Key scope choices that influence time:
- structural changes
- relocating plumbing
- relocating electrical
- specialty finishes and custom work
Selections drive schedule. Cabinets, tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and appliances can all create delays if decisions aren’t made early—or if materials aren’t ordered strategically.
This is where the project gets organized so construction can flow:
- sequencing and milestone planning
- ordering strategy for long-lead materials
- site protection and home logistics
- identifying high-risk unknowns early
If permits are required, inspections can become part of the timeline “critical path.” Planning for them early helps keep the overall schedule predictable.
Most timelines are shaped by:
- demo + prep
- rough-ins (plumbing/electrical)
- inspections (if required)
- drywall/paint
- cabinets/trim
- tile/countertops
- fixtures/finish-out
- punch + closeout
The final stretch matters. A strong closeout phase prevents small items from lingering after the “big” work is done.
What delays remodels most often (and how to avoid it)
These are the most common reasons projects run long:
Changes happen, but midstream shifts almost always add time. The best protection is defining “must-haves” early and treating changes as intentional decisions with clear time/cost impact.
A remodel can’t move faster than decisions. When selections are not finalized on time, trades pause and schedules slip.
Cabinetry and specialty materials can drive the timeline. The solution is early identification and a clear ordering strategy.
Older homes can reveal surprises behind walls or under floors. A clear process for discovery and rapid decision-making keeps these from derailing the schedule.
When permits apply, inspections can affect sequencing. Planning for these early prevents avoidable delays.
Without a steady cadence of communication and accountability, “small slips” turn into months. Weekly schedule ownership matters.
Living through a remodel: what’s realistic (and what’s not)
Not every remodel requires permits, but when permits are needed, they can impact both start dates and construction sequencing (especially when inspections are part A common question is whether you can live in your home during a remodel. The answer depends on scope and how the project is phased.of the critical path).
Kitchens and bathrooms
In many cases, kitchen and bathroom remodels are doable to live through, but life can be harder during construction. It helps to plan for:
- temporary kitchen or bathing setups
- limited access during certain phases
- noise/dust realities (even with good protection)
- logistics for pets, kids, or working from home
A clear plan for site protection and consistent communication can make a big difference in how manageable the experience feels.
Full home remodels
A
full home remodel typically cannot be lived in unless the project is intentionally planned in phases (for example, one wing or level at a time) and the scope supports keeping essential spaces functional. Even with phasing, it can be disruptive and may extend timelines.
If living in the home is a priority, discuss it early—phasing decisions are most effective when they’re built into the schedule from the beginning.
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How Simply Home protects timelines (what “predictable” looks like)
A predictable remodel isn’t luck—it’s process. Practices that help keep projects moving:
- Scope defined line by line so fewer items are missed
- Milestone-based scheduling with clear sequencing
- Decision deadlines tied to construction needs
- Early ordering strategy for long-lead items
- Weekly communication cadence to keep momentum and resolve issues quickly
- Clear change process so adjustments don’t derail the plan
If timeline certainty is a priority, the best time to protect it is before construction begins.
Compare remodel bids to ensure your plan is accurate.
Plan your remodel with clarity.
If you’re planning a kitchen, bathroom, or full-home remodel in Austin/Westlake, we offer complimentary phone consultations to help you align scope, budget, and timeline—before construction begins.
FAQs
Most kitchen remodels average about 2 months, and permitting (when required) can add ~2–4 weeks.
Most bathroom remodels average 1 to 1.5 months, and permitting (when required) can add ~1–2 weeks.
Full home remodels commonly range 4–8 months, and permitting can add about a month depending on scope.
Often yes, but it can be challenging. Planning for temporary setups and understanding day-to-day disruption helps.
Typically not—unless the project is intentionally phased and essential living spaces remain functional. Even then, it can be disruptive.
Late selections, scope changes midstream, material delays, hidden conditions, permitting/inspection sequencing (when required), and weak project management cadence.
Dreaming of a Home That Truly Works for Your Family
I’m always looking around my home, dreaming about all the projects I’d love to tackle.
The bathroom that feels a little too dark and cramped.
The kitchen that bottlenecks every single morning.
The living room that never quite functions the way you want it to.
Or that one space that just… isn’t you. The style, the colors, the way it’s laid out—it doesn’t make you feel how you want to feel in your own home.And then real life kicks in.There are kids. Work. School runs. Sports. Maybe pregnancy. Maybe aging parents.
And suddenly the questions start stacking up:
- Who do I trust in my home and around my kids?
- How long is this really going to take?
- What if the budget gets out of control?
- Is this even safe for my family—what’s in the air, what’s in the dust, what are we breathing while all this is going on?
And suddenly the questions start stacking up:
It’s a lot. You’re not dramatic or “picky” for thinking about those things. You’re a mom. That’s literally the job.
This is exactly why I built Simply Home the way I did.
Renovating isn’t just about the “after” photos
Most renovation stories focus on the pretty “after.” The reveal, the tile, the sconce, the vanity.
But if you’re a mom (or mom-to-be), you’re thinking about the middle:
- Can the kids still nap?
- Are we going to be living in dust?
- Who is coming and going every day?
- Will this project take over our whole life?
But if you’re a mom (or mom-to-be), you’re thinking about the middle:
And underneath all of that is something simpler and really honest: you just want your home to feel like you.
For most of the moms I talk to, the real goal is not a “perfect” house. It’s a home that actually works for your family and your lifestyle and feels good to be in:
- A bathroom where the morning routine doesn’t feel like a traffic jam.
- A kitchen that can handle snacks, homework, and dinner all at once.
- A living space that doesn’t make you cringe every time you see the tile or paint, but actually matches your style and calms your nervous system a little.
That’s the lens I use for every project we take on.
Step one: you deserve to know what you’re getting into
One of the biggest reasons moms stay stuck in “dreaming” mode is money uncertainty. You don’t want to rip your house apart and then find out what it really costs.
At Simply Home, we start with a preliminary estimate range. It’s not a wild guess; it’s a realistic ballpark based on your space and goals so you can answer the basic question:
“Is this even in the realm of possible for us right now?”
If it is, we move into a deep planning and development phase. That’s where we:
- Get into the details of layout, scope, and selections
- Coordinate with any designers/architects
- Sort through the “must-haves” vs. “nice-to-haves”
From there, we put together a clear scope and a final estimate, not just a fuzzy number you’ll only see after demo.
Because we front-load so much of that work, we typically carry just a 5% contingency. That’s our way of saying:
“We’ve actually thought this through. We’re not hiding behind a giant cushion because we didn’t plan.”
Is a remodel still an investment? 100%. But you shouldn’t feel like you’re jumping off a cliff without seeing what’s below.
Curious what’s possible for your space? Visit our
Wellness Focused page to see how we help Austin families plan their remodel with clarity and confidence.
Wellness isn’t a buzzword. It’s the air your kids are breathing.
If you’re pregnant, have little ones, or anyone in the home with allergies or asthma, you’re not just worried about paint colors.
You’re thinking:
Those are fair questions.
When we say
wellness-focused, we’re talking about very practical things:
We’ve had clients tell us they would “eat off the floor” during construction because the jobsites were that clean. I’m not saying you should eat off the floor—but I am saying you deserve a team that treats your home like a home, not just a jobsite.
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Wellness isn’t a buzzword. It’s the air your kids are breathing.
If you’re pregnant, have little ones, or anyone in the home with allergies or asthma, you’re not just worried about paint colors.
You’re thinking:
- What’s in the dust?
- What are we breathing while they’re cutting, sanding, spraying?
- Can we even live here while this is happening?
Those are fair questions.
When we say
wellness-focused, we’re talking about very practical things:
- How we control dust and debris
- How we think about air quality and ventilation
- How we protect your floors, furniture, and kid zones
- How we handle daily cleanup so it doesn’t feel like a construction war zone
We’ve had clients tell us they would “eat off the floor” during construction because the jobsites were that clean. I’m not saying you should eat off the floor—but I am saying you deserve a team that treats your home like a home, not just a jobsite.
The mental load: you shouldn’t have to run the project, too
Here’s the part no one really talks about: the mental load of a remodel.
If you’re the one everybody looks to for answers—What tile did we pick? When are they coming? Who do I call about this?—it quickly becomes one more full-time job you didn’t sign up for.
That’s why our process is built around proactive communication:
- Daily updates so you know what happened, what’s next, and what (if anything) we need from you
- Weekly meetings where we walk through progress, decisions, and any upcoming milestones
- A dedicated project manager and construction manager on your job so there is always someone whose job is to stay on top of the details
You shouldn’t be chasing your contractor for answers. You should feel like someone is thinking three steps ahead on your behalf.
So… how do you know it will all turn out okay?
There are no truly bump-free renovations. Anyone who promises that isn’t being straight with you.
Unexpected things come up behind walls. Materials get delayed. Kids get sick. Life happens.
The real question is:
“Who do I want in my corner when those bumps happen?”
I always say a good contractor is like shocks on a car:
- The speed bumps are still there.
- You still have to drive over them.
- But with the right shocks, you don’t feel every jolt in your teeth.
That’s what we’re trying to be for the moms and families we work with—a buffer between your life and the chaos of construction.
If you’re an Austin mama staring at “that one room”…
If you’re looking around your home, dreaming about updating that bathroom, kitchen, or space that just isn’t you—the one that doesn’t function well and doesn’t make you feel how you want to feel in your own home—but you’re stuck in the “what ifs,” I see you.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. You don’t have to know every step before you start.
Our job at Simply Home is to:
If you’re an Austin mama staring at “that one room”…
If you’re looking around your home, dreaming about updating that bathroom, kitchen, or space that just isn’t you—the one that doesn’t function well and doesn’t make you feel how you want to feel in your own home—but you’re stuck in the “what ifs,” I see you.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. You don’t have to know every step before you start.
Our job at Simply Home is to:
- Help you understand what you’re saying yes to
- Plan the details so you’re not carrying all the decisions in your head
- Protect your home, your routines, and your air as much as possible during construction
- Get you to the other side with a space that actually works for your family and your lifestyle—and finally feels like you
That’s what we’re trying to be for the moms and families we work with—a buffer between your life and the chaos of construction.
If you’re curious what a
wellness-focused renovation could look like for your home, you can reach out for a complimentary consultation. No pressure, no hard sell—just a real conversation about your space, your family, and what’s possible.
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