Short answer: most bathroom remodels we build take 2–3 weeks of construction for a same-layout update and 4–6 weeks for a full gut. A custom tiled tub-to-shower conversion takes one to two weeks, and a small bathroom typically two to four. Before construction, a typical City of Portland permit has taken about 1–2 weeks in our experience, or 3–4 if walls move or structure changes.
Bathroom remodel timelines by project type
| Project | Typical construction time | What decides it |
|---|---|---|
| Tub-to-shower conversion (custom tile) | 1–2 weeks | Demo, waterproofing, tile, cure times, glass |
| Same-layout update | 2–3 weeks | Tile scope; fixtures, tub, vanity stay where they are |
| Small bathroom | 2–4 weeks | Less surface area, but every inch is planned |
| Full gut remodel | 4–6 weeks | Tile scope, fixture lead times, any layout change |
Those are construction weeks. Design, selections, the estimate, and the permit come first.
Before construction starts
Free consultation
We visit your home, measure, and listen to what drives you crazy about the room.
Design and selections
Tile, fixtures, vanity, and glass chosen before demo, so nothing stalls mid-job waiting on a decision.
Line-item estimate
Real numbers in writing before you commit.
Permit
Plumbing and electrical work is permitted and inspected through the City of Portland: most bathrooms in 1–2 weeks, 3–4 if walls move or structure changes. Those are our experience; the City publishes its own average review times on its Permit Review Dashboard. Outside Portland, the permit office and timing differ.
What happens during construction
Every bathroom we build follows the same order: waterproofing first, tile second.
- Protection and demo. The room is closed off and taken down to what’s being replaced.
- Rough-in. Plumbing and electrical go in or get moved, then get inspected.
- Waterproofing. A waterproof membrane and a sloped pan on every wet area, with sealed penetrations at every valve, niche, and bench, installed to manufacturer spec.
- Tile. Walls, floor, niches, and bench, plus cure time.
- Fixtures and finish. Vanity, toilet, trim, lighting, and ventilation.
- Glass and walkthrough. Frameless glass is usually measured after tile. Then the punch list and final walkthrough.
What makes a bathroom remodel take longer
- ✓ Tile scope. Floor-to-ceiling tile with a niche and a bench takes longer than a tub surround. Tile is labor.
- ✓ Fixture and material lead times. Ordered late, a special-order vanity or glass panel can hold up the finish.
- ✓ Moving plumbing. A new layout means new supply and drain runs and more inspection points.
- ✓ What demo uncovers. Decades of moisture sometimes leave rot behind old tile. Our own dry-rot crew fixes the framing, and any added work is itemized in writing before we touch it. Here’s what happens when we open a wall and find more than planned.
Living with one bathroom during the remodel
Families do it all the time. We run a tight schedule, keep the toilet working as much as we can, and tell you honestly which days you’ll need a backup plan, in advance and not the morning of. If you have a second bathroom, the timeline above applies the same way; it just matters less.
Questions homeowners ask
Can a bathroom remodel be done in a week?
A custom tiled shower can’t, because waterproofing and tile need their steps and cure times. Acrylic liner kits are faster because they skip most of that, and it shows in the result. Our fastest common project, a custom tiled tub-to-shower conversion, takes one to two weeks.
Does the permit add time?
Yes, before construction. In our experience, most Portland bathrooms have been approved in 1–2 weeks, or 3–4 if walls move or structure changes. Inspections then happen during the job. We pull the permits and schedule the inspections.
Who keeps the schedule?
One of our owners manages every project. You get the schedule before we start, and we tell you if it moves.
Want a real timeline for your bathroom?
Free consultation and a line-item estimate with a schedule.
Related: bathroom remodeling in Portland · tub-to-shower conversions · how long a kitchen remodel takes.
