How long does a typical renovation take in a condominium or a house?

Phases and influencing factors in detail: From planning to moving in

The invisible phase: Preparation and planning

Before the first tradesperson rings the doorbell, time passes. A lot of time. Thorough planning is the foundation for keeping the subsequent renovation time of your condominium short.

• Concept and quotes (4–8 weeks): You need to know what you want and find tradespeople. In Switzerland, good companies are often booked up for months.
• Permits (4–12 weeks): Are you altering the structural integrity or changing the facade? Then you need a building permit. Objections from neighbors can unpredictably extend the renovation time for condominiums .
• Material ordering (6–12 weeks): Custom-made kitchens or special tiles from Italy are not kept in stock. Ordering too late will cause a construction stoppage, negatively impacting the entire renovation time of the condominium .

Cosmetic renovations: The "Quick Win "

Do you just want to refresh the surfaces? This includes painting, sanding parquet floors, or replacing carpets.

• Duration: approximately 2 to 4 weeks. With a renovation of this scale, you can often remain in your apartment, even if it gets uncomfortable. Coordination is simple: painters and flooring installers often work together. The renovation time for this type of apartment is easily predictable, as there are rarely any surprises in the building structure.

Kitchen and bathroom: The classics

Renovating the kitchen and bathroom is the most common type of home improvement project. Many trades work together on this: plumbers, electricians, plasterers, tilers, carpenters, and painters.

• Duration: approximately 4 to 6 weeks per room. The renovation time for a condominium is often determined by drying times. If a new screed is poured, it must dry before tiling can begin. This cannot be accelerated. Furthermore, the renovation time for a condominium is heavily dependent on the delivery time of the kitchen furniture. [Missing... ] When a cabinet is installed, the construction site comes to a standstill.

The complete renovation : Everything new

Anyone who buys an old property and renovates everything (pipes, heating, windows, floors, walls) should expect a marathon.

• Duration: approximately 3 to 6 months. With this scope of work, the renovation time for a condominium is often longer than for a house. Why ?

• Logistics: Materials must be transported via the stairwell or elevator. This takes time. longer as the unloading right outside the front door .
• Consideration for others: In an apartment building, noise is often only permitted at certain times (e.g., 8:00–12:00 and 13:30–17:00). These restrictions work window extend the renovation period Condominium noticeably .
• Structural engineering: Interventions in load-bearing walls are more complex and require more permits in condominium ownership, which increases the renovation time for condominiums during the planning phase.

Why does it often take longer in the apartment?

Specific factors extend the renovation time for a condominium compared to a house:

• Access: A lift must be protected; parking spaces for skips must be requested from the administration.
• Coordination: Water shut-offs often affect the entire house and must be announced in advance.
• Regulations: The condominium owners' association regulations may prohibit work on weekends. Ignoring these administrative hurdles risks conflicts that unnecessarily prolong the renovation period of the condominium due to construction stoppages.

Buffer times: The reality check

No construction schedule survives the first contact with reality unscathed. To realistically plan the renovation time for your condominium , always add a 20 percent buffer to the estimated time. Sick tradespeople, supply bottlenecks, or hidden defects (e.g., asbestos or moisture after removing tiles) are classic problems. An overly tight schedule creates stress and costs. If you terminate your rental agreement to the day based on an optimistic estimate of the renovation time , you risk homelessness or an expensive hotel stay.

Acceleration: Can it go faster?

Is it possible to shorten the renovation time for a condominium ? Yes, but it costs money .

• General contractor: A single point of contact coordinates all tradespeople. This minimizes downtime and optimizes the renovation time of your condominium more efficiently than if you were to act as an amateur site manager yourself.
• Prefabrication: Prefabricated elements (e.g., system bathrooms) save time on site and reduce the renovation time of a condominium .
• Drywall construction: Instead of building walls with masonry (wet, needs to dry), use drywall. This significantly reduces the renovation time for condominiums , as work can continue immediately.

Conclusion

The question "How long will it take?" depends on how well you plan. A simple bathroom renovation takes about a month, a complete renovation six months. The renovation time for a condominium is heavily influenced by logistical constraints and consideration for neighbors.

The biggest mistake is ignoring the lead time. Allocate at least as much time for planning and ordering as for the construction work itself. A realistic assessment of the renovation time for your condominium will protect you from stress and financial difficulties. It's better to spend an extra week building and do a clean job than to make mistakes under time pressure that will bother you for years.

If you are looking for support in creating a realistic construction schedule or would like to put the coordination in professional hands to use your time efficiently, Loft offers experienced project support.

Glossary

• Renovation time for a condominium: The total time period for the renovation of an apartment in a condominium, influenced by logistics, quiet hours and administrative requirements.
• Core renovation: Comprehensive renewal of the building structure (pipes, floors, windows, technology) that brings the property into a like-new condition.
• Drying time : The physically necessary time that materials such as screed or plaster need to be ready for covering. a fixed factor in the renovation duration Condominium .
• Condominium ownership: A form of ownership where you own an apartment and a share of the overall property. Community rules influence the renovation duration. Condominium .
• Lead time: The phase before construction begins, for planning, permits, and ordering materials. It is often underestimated, but crucial for the entire renovation period of a condominium .