Short answer. A typical Los Angeles bathroom remodel runs 3 to 5 months from signed contract to final inspection. Design and permits take 4 to 8 weeks. Active construction takes 4 to 7 weeks. The full week-by-week schedule is below.
Week-by-week schedule
Phase 1: Design and selections
Weeks 1 to 3. Site measurement. Layout decisions. Tile, vanity, fixture, and lighting selections. End of phase: signed-off drawings and complete material list ready for ordering.
Phase 2: Permit submission and material ordering
Weeks 3 to 4. Submit to LADBS. Order all tile, vanity, fixtures, glass enclosure, and lighting. Long-lead items confirmed with delivery dates.
Phase 3: Permit and material lead time
Weeks 4 to 10. Plan check runs 2 to 6 weeks. Tile and vanity lead times run 3 to 8 weeks. Materials and permits both ready by week 10 in typical projects.
Phase 4: Demolition
Week 11. Existing fixtures, tile, drywall, and flooring removed. Floor and wall conditions inspected. Hidden water damage and prior unpermitted plumbing surface here.
Phase 5: Plumbing rough
Weeks 11 to 12. New supply lines and drain locations roughed in. Shower valve set. Tub or shower base set. Rough plumbing inspection passed.
Phase 6: Electrical rough
Week 12. New circuits run. Vanity lights, fan, and accent lighting roughed in. Rough electrical inspection passed.
Phase 7: Waterproofing and framing closures
Weeks 12 to 13. Shower walls and floor waterproofed with a code-approved system. Framing closures complete. Drywall hung outside the shower.
Phase 8: Tile installation
Weeks 13 to 15. Wall tile, floor tile, niche, and bench tile installed. Grout applied. Sealing where required by material.
Phase 9: Vanity, plumbing trim, and electrical trim
Week 15. Vanity set. Counter installed. Faucet, toilet, shower trim, and tub spout installed. Light fixtures, switches, and outlets installed.
Phase 10: Shower glass template and install
Weeks 15 to 17. Glass shop templates after tile is complete. Fabrication runs 5 to 10 days. Glass installed and silicone cured.
Phase 11: Punch list and final inspection
Week 17. Walkthrough. Punch list resolved. Final inspection with the building department. Project closed.
Where the schedule slips
- Tile arriving short shipped or damaged. Plan to receive and inspect tile two weeks before install.
- Vanity backorders. Lead times stretched to 8 plus weeks on popular brands. Order in week 1.
- Plan check corrections. Each correction round adds 1 to 3 weeks.
- Hidden water damage from prior leaks. Adds 1 to 2 weeks at the rough phase.
For pricing, read bathroom remodel cost in Los Angeles. For layouts, read small bathroom remodel ideas. For walk-in showers, see walk-in shower remodels. To start, open the contact page.
