One of the first questions every homeowner asks before starting a renovation is: how long is this going to take? Whether you are planning a kitchen remodel, a bathroom refresh, or a whole-home transformation, understanding the realistic timeline helps you plan your life around the construction, set expectations with your family, and make smarter decisions about materials and scheduling.
At Niem Construction, we have spent over 17 years remodeling homes across the Coachella Valley. We have completed hundreds of projects in La Quinta, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and Indio, which means we know exactly how long each type of remodel takes in this region and what factors can speed things up or slow them down. In this guide, we will walk you through typical timelines, explain what happens during each phase, and share practical advice for keeping your remodel on track.
Typical Remodel Timelines by Project Type
Every remodel is unique, but after hundreds of projects, we can offer reliable timeline ranges for the most common types of renovations. These estimates include design, permitting, and construction, not just the time your contractor is physically on site.
Kitchen Remodel: 6 to 12 Weeks
A standard kitchen remodel in the Coachella Valley takes between six and twelve weeks from demolition day to the final walkthrough. A cosmetic refresh with new countertops, cabinet refacing, and updated fixtures can come in closer to four to six weeks. A full gut renovation with custom cabinetry, new plumbing, electrical upgrades, and a reconfigured layout will typically land in the ten- to twelve-week range. Custom cabinet orders are often the longest lead-time item, sometimes requiring four to six weeks before they even arrive on site.
Bathroom Remodel: 3 to 6 Weeks
Bathrooms are smaller spaces, but they involve concentrated plumbing, electrical, and tile work. A straightforward bathroom renovation with new tile, a vanity swap, and updated fixtures generally takes three to four weeks. A more involved project that includes moving plumbing, expanding a shower, or adding a freestanding tub can stretch to five or six weeks. Tile selection and custom glass shower enclosures are common items that can add lead time to the schedule.
Whole-Home Remodel: 3 to 6 Months
A whole-home remodel is the most comprehensive renovation you can undertake. These projects typically span three to six months depending on the size of the home and the depth of the renovation. Homes under 2,000 square feet with moderate updates tend to fall on the shorter end. Larger homes or projects involving structural changes, room reconfigurations, and full mechanical upgrades will require the full six months or more. Phased scheduling can sometimes allow you to remain in parts of the home during construction.
Room Addition: 2 to 4 Months
Adding a new room to your home involves foundation work, framing, roofing, and tying the addition into existing mechanical systems. Most room additions in the Coachella Valley take between two and four months once permits are in hand. The permitting process itself can add another two to four weeks depending on the city and the complexity of the structural plans.
ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit): 4 to 8 Months
ADUs have become increasingly popular in California, but they are essentially small standalone homes that require full permitting, foundation, framing, roofing, and all mechanical systems. A garage conversion ADU may take four to five months, while a ground-up detached ADU typically requires six to eight months. Permitting for ADUs in Riverside County can take longer than a standard remodel permit, so plan for additional time at the front end.
Phases of a Remodel and How Long Each Takes
Understanding the phases of a remodel helps you see where the time goes and why certain steps cannot be rushed without compromising quality or compliance.
Design and Planning: 2 to 4 Weeks
This phase covers initial consultations, measurements, design development, material selections, and finalizing the scope of work. Rushing the design phase leads to costly change orders later, so it is well worth investing the time upfront to get every detail right. At Niem Construction, we use detailed plans and 3D renderings so you can visualize the finished result before a single wall is touched.
Permitting: 1 to 6 Weeks
Most remodels that involve structural, electrical, or plumbing changes require permits from the City of La Quinta, Indio, Palm Desert, or Riverside County. Simple permits can be turned around in one to two weeks. More complex projects involving structural engineering review or planning department approvals can take four to six weeks. We handle all permit applications and coordinate inspections so you never have to visit city hall.
Demolition: 1 to 5 Days
Demolition is the fastest and most dramatic phase. A single bathroom can be stripped in a day, while a whole-home gut can take three to five days. Proper demolition includes dust containment, debris removal, and careful preservation of any structural elements or systems that will be reused.
Construction: 3 Weeks to 5 Months
This is the core building phase that includes framing, rough plumbing, electrical wiring, HVAC, drywall, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, tile, paint, and fixture installation. The duration depends entirely on the scope. A bathroom takes about two to three weeks of active construction. A kitchen runs four to eight weeks. A whole-home remodel can require three to five months of continuous work. Inspections occur at multiple stages during construction, and each inspection must pass before the next phase begins.
Finishing and Punch List: 3 to 7 Days
The final phase covers hardware installation, touch-up paint, final cleaning, and a detailed walkthrough with the homeowner. We compile a punch list of any remaining items and address them promptly. This phase is short but critical for ensuring every detail meets our standard of quality.
Factors That Affect Your Timeline
Even the best-planned projects can encounter variables that shift the schedule. Here are the most common factors that affect remodel timelines in the Coachella Valley.
Scope and Complexity
The more systems you are changing, the longer the project takes. A cosmetic update is significantly faster than a renovation that involves moving walls, rerouting plumbing, or upgrading the electrical panel. Clearly defining the scope before construction starts is the single most important thing you can do to protect your timeline.
Permits and Inspections
Permit review times vary by jurisdiction. La Quinta and Palm Desert tend to have efficient building departments, but complex projects or high-volume periods can cause delays. Each required inspection adds scheduling dependency, as work cannot proceed until the inspector signs off on the previous stage.
Material Lead Times
Custom cabinetry, specialty tile, imported stone, and certain fixtures can have lead times of four to eight weeks or more. Ordering materials early in the design phase prevents construction delays. We maintain strong relationships with suppliers and keep close tabs on delivery schedules to keep projects moving.
Weather in the Desert
While the Coachella Valley enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year, extreme summer heat can affect outdoor work, concrete curing, and roofing schedules. Temperatures above 110 degrees Fahrenheit require adjusted work hours and can slow certain exterior tasks. Summer monsoon season can also bring unexpected rain that delays outdoor phases.
Inspections and Code Compliance
California has some of the most rigorous building codes in the country. Title 24 energy requirements, seismic standards, and accessibility rules all affect how work is done and how long inspections take. Working with a contractor who builds to code the first time prevents failed inspections and costly rework.