Why planning is vital to your remodel

Most homeowners would like to get started right away... but there's a lot of risk if you try to rush your remodel.


It is one of the main reasons contractors have the 2nd highest consumer complaints in the US only beaten by car dealerships.

You have to be careful because there are a lot of contractors that will be "yes men/women" and just tell you what you want to hear. You do not want to rush construction or the planning that's needed.

You also have to see if they have a good remodel process like this, because many contractors do not have one!

This next below sections are specific to working with a Design-Build company, which we HIGHLY recommend unless it is a small project like a basic bathroom remodel project.  Learn the differences here.

The below timelines are based on
if the contractor is organized
AND has a good process:

Planning before choosing the contractor:

So at this point it's 2-3 weeks from the time you initially reach out, to signing the Planning & Design agreement.

After You Sign the Planning & Design Agreement:

  • Once you have signed the design agreement, they should be scheduling another meeting to get their Designer and sometimes one of their carpenters/contractors to your house to review the project with you. This can take 1-4 weeks to set the appointment depending on both your schedules.
  • At the meeting the Designer will review the scope of work with you. They will also review any changes you may have made, discuss style and functionality goals, review what to expect next, and much more.
  • The next step is to provide them pictures of your inspiration and design style you like.  Then they help you start picking out your selection items like plumbing and electrical fixtures, countertops, shower floor & wall tile, cabinets, etc.  This usually takes 2-8 weeks depending on the size of the project(s), and how fast a homeowner can find their items.
  • The contractor may need to get certain trades out to ensure your proposal price is correct.  This can be done during the process of you working with their in-house designer.
  • Once the items have been picked out, the contractor can reevaluate all changes that have not already been evaluated and get the final scope of work finalized and provide the final price. This can take 3-8 days to accomplish.
  • The homeowner sometimes will adjust items and this can change the timeline by 2-14 days.
  • Once all of those items are finalized, you receive the finalized scope of work and price for your review. This can be anywhere from 1-4 days
  • If you want to work with the  company for the construction phase, you then sign a construction agreement.  This can take 1-14 days.

So this part of the process takes 1-4 months from the time you sign the design agreement to all feasibility, design, and planning items completed. (The total at this point is 2-5 months from initially reaching out to them to having everything ironed out and ready for construction.  These timelines depend on the size of the project(s) and all of the other variables above)

After You Sign the Construction Agreement:

  • Once you have signed the construction agreement, they should be scheduling a meeting to get their Project Manager to review the project together with you. This can take 3-14 days to set the appointment depending on both your schedules.
  • At the meeting they should review things like when it is ok to do work at your house, how to access your home, review the project in details, review what to expect next, and more.
  • After that meeting the contractor will order the materials. This usually takes 1-5 days
  • The contractor may also need to schedule other types of vendors or trades to visit your home, which can take 1-30 days depending on the scenario and the other trades schedule.
  • You DO NOT want to work with a contractor who does not wait until all of the important items have been ordered, arrived, and checked to see if broken, cracked, or chipped.   If this is not done, your project could take 2-6 more months.  This is a vital step that homeowners sometimes try to rush. 
  • Once all items have arrived and been checked and everything important is ready, the demo can start.  You don't want to demo before you have all your items, otherwise you could be sitting around with a demoed & unusable space before the actual building can start.
  • The timelines for waiting on the items to arrive, ensure they are correct, and you are happy,  vary widely depending on what type of items.  Doors, windows, and cabinets take longer than other items.  The average for everything important to arrive, get checked, and handle any returns, is anywhere from 1 - 3 months

So this part of the process takes 1.5- 4 months from the time you sign the construction agreement to the time they are ready to demo. (The total at this point is 3-8 months from initially reaching out to them to having everything ironed out and ready for construction.  These timelines depend on the size of the project(s) and all of the other variables above)

We move faster than most contractors thanks to sophisticated software like BuilderTrend, fine tuned processes, great people, and we are motivated to finish as soon as possible without cutting any corners.

Poor planning results in longer timelines, mediocre workmanship, and unhappy homeowners.

You can see why it is important not to rush the planning phase.


If you are looking to do a bathroom renovation, we highly recommend reviewing these bathroom remodel tips.

If you are looking to do a kitchen remodel, we highly recommend reviewing these kitchen remodel tips.

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Your Construction Experience With Phoenix Home Remodeling®

Many homeowner complaints are from when the project starts. We utilize technology, great people, and efficient processes to ensure a great experience:

Dedicated Project Coordinator

  • Always know who to go to for questions
  • Handles Project Management
  • Professional, polite, & respectful

Project Management Software

  • Keeps your remodel project on schedule
  • Easy & organized communication 
  • Pictures of progress with comments

Constant Project Updates

  • Know what is happening along with the next step
  • Comments & messages all in 1 place
  • Easy mobile app for quick updates and messages

Financials At Your Fingertips

  • Easy access to project numbers
  • Know price if you want to add something new
  • All design selection items in one place with prices

Celebrate & Enjoy Your New Space

  • Final meeting to ensure you are happy
  • You get before & after photos of everything
  • Enjoy with friends, family, & neighbors

Get Expert Help On Your Remodeling

Use the blue button below to pick a time to talk with our remodel expert. Receive a phone call at the perfect time for you by scheduling your phone consultation.

Our Consultation Manager will review your remodel needs, provide advice, answer your questions, and give a price estimate. If it's a good fit at the end of the call, we schedule the in-home evaluation, and provide a written proposal.

Why a Phone Consultation First?