Short answer. A whole-house remodel in Los Angeles takes 7 to 12 months from contract to close. A kitchen runs 3 to 5 months. A bathroom runs 3 to 5 months. ADUs run 6 to 12 months. Design and permits often take longer than construction itself.
Typical timelines by project type
| Project type | Design and permits | Construction | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel | 4 to 8 weeks | 4 to 7 weeks | 3 to 5 months |
| Kitchen remodel | 4 to 8 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 3 to 5 months |
| ADU (detached) | 10 to 16 weeks | 16 to 26 weeks | 6 to 12 months |
| Garage conversion ADU | 8 to 12 weeks | 10 to 16 weeks | 5 to 7 months |
| Whole house remodel | 12 to 20 weeks | 16 to 28 weeks | 7 to 12 months |
| Whole house + addition | 16 to 28 weeks | 24 to 40 weeks | 10 to 17 months |
Where time goes
Design and selections
Floor plans, elevations, finish selections, fixture selections, lighting design, and structural review. Plan 4 to 16 weeks. Faster when the homeowner is decisive and has reference images ready.
Permits
LADBS plan check ranges 2 to 16 weeks depending on project complexity. Coastal Commission overlays, HPOZ review, and hillside grading reviews each add 1 to 4 months. Title 24 energy compliance review runs in parallel.
Material lead time
Cabinets: 6 to 12 weeks. Tile: 2 to 6 weeks. Windows: 6 to 14 weeks. Plumbing fixtures: 2 to 8 weeks. Major appliances: 3 to 12 weeks. Order long-lead items first.
Construction
Demo through final inspection. Schedule depends on permit type, scope, and trade coordination. A reasonable benchmark is one week per $20,000 to $30,000 of construction cost on residential remodel work.
Three common reasons projects slip
- Late material delivery. Cabinets and tile arrive late or damaged. Mitigated by ordering early and inspecting on arrival.
- Mid-project change orders. The homeowner changes scope after demo. Each change adds 1 to 3 weeks.
- Plan check correction rounds. Each round adds 1 to 3 weeks. Quality drawings reduce correction rounds.
For project-specific timelines, read kitchen remodel timeline and bathroom remodel timeline. For survival strategies during construction, see how to survive a home renovation.
