Find out how long your renovation will really take — factoring in project scope, season, permits, and Barrie-area scheduling realities. Not the best-case estimate. The honest one.
The #1 frustration homeowners report after a renovation isn't cost — it's the timeline. "We were told two weeks and it took six." Our Project Timeline Estimator uses the same scheduling framework we apply to real projects across our 11 service categories, adjusted for Barrie-area contractor availability and Ontario permit processing times.
Whether you're trying to plan around a bathroom renovation before the holidays, schedule a deck build before summer, or figure out if that kitchen remodel can happen while the kids are at school — this tool gives you an honest window based on 12+ years of completed projects in the region.
This isn't a generic calculator. Every figure reflects actual project durations in Barrie, Bradford, Collingwood, and Simcoe County — including the parts most contractors don't mention: permit wait times, material lead times, and seasonal scheduling constraints.
Important: These are realistic timeline ranges based on typical project conditions. Actual durations depend on your home's age, hidden conditions behind walls, material lead times, and how quickly decisions are made. We provide exact timelines during our free on-site consultations.
Five factors determine how long your project actually takes. This calculator accounts for all of them — based on real Barrie-area project data.
Select your project, set the details, and see a realistic phase-by-phase breakdown based on Barrie-area scheduling data.
Start to Finish
Phase-by-Phase Breakdown
Seasonal Impact
What Could Extend This Timeline
Getting a realistic timeline takes less than a minute. Here's how to use this tool — and what to keep in mind so your estimate matches reality as closely as possible.
Select from 13 project types that match our service offerings — from quick TV mounting and appliance installs to full kitchen and bathroom renovations.
Pick your scope (minor, mid-range, or major), planned season, whether permits are needed, and how accessible your home is. Each factor adjusts the timeline.
Get a phase-by-phase breakdown — planning, permits, materials, active work, and inspection — plus a visual timeline bar and seasonal impact notes.
These timelines reflect 12+ years of completed projects across the Barrie and Simcoe County area. They're designed to give you an honest planning window — not the "best case" number that leads to frustration when reality doesn't cooperate.
Your actual timeline may be shorter if you have simple conditions — newer home, easy access, standard scope with no surprises. It may be longer if your home is older (pre-1980 builds have more unknowns behind walls), the project involves permits, you're scheduling during peak summer season, or custom materials need ordering.
Tips for Faster Project Completion
Every project has a range because no two homes — or homeowners — are the same. Understanding what drives timelines up or down helps you plan realistically and avoid the frustration of broken expectations.
Discovering problems behind walls is the single biggest timeline extender. Mold, outdated wiring, plumbing issues, and structural surprises can add days or weeks. Pre-1980 Barrie homes are especially prone to this.
Custom orders are the quiet timeline killer. Cabinets take 4–8 weeks, specialty tile 2–4 weeks, and even standard fixtures can face supply chain hiccups. Ordering early is the single best thing you can do.
The most controllable factor is you. Having colours, materials, and fixtures selected before work begins can save 1–2 weeks. Mid-project changes — even small ones — create a cascade of delays and coordination issues.
Weather and season in Simcoe County: Barrie's climate creates real constraints for exterior work. Painting and staining need consistent temps above 10°C and dry conditions. Concrete work can't happen in freezing temperatures. Even deck building pauses in heavy rain. Interior work, however, is largely immune to weather — and winter is actually a great time for it because contractors have more availability.
Permit timing at the City of Barrie: Building permits typically take 10–15 business days for standard applications, though complex projects requiring engineering reviews can take up to 21 business days. We handle the application process, but the processing time is outside anyone's control. Factor this into your planning — especially for spring/summer projects where permit offices get busier.
Now that you know how long your project takes, find out what it'll cost. Our Project Cost Estimator uses the same Barrie-area data to give you a three-tier price range with labour and material breakdowns.
This calculator accounts for typical conditions, but seeing your actual home is always more accurate. We provide free on-site consultations with exact timelines — no obligation, no pressure, just a straight answer.
Common questions about project timelines for Barrie-area homeowners.
A cosmetic refresh (new fixtures, paint, hardware) takes 3–5 days. A mid-range renovation with new tile, vanity, and fixtures takes 2–3 weeks. A full gut renovation with layout changes can take 4–6 weeks including permits. For a detailed estimate, use our bathroom renovation service page or this calculator above.
Interior work can happen year-round — and winter is actually a great time because contractors have more availability and may offer better scheduling flexibility. For exterior projects like deck building and painting, the ideal window is May through October. Plan exterior work early in the season to avoid being caught by early frost.
Permits are typically required for structural changes, new plumbing or electrical rough-ins, additions, and deck construction. Cosmetic updates (painting, flooring, fixture swaps) don't require permits. We handle permit applications for projects that need them — and factor the 10–21 business day processing time into your project schedule.
The most common causes are discovering hidden issues behind walls (water damage, outdated wiring), material back-orders for custom items, indecision or changes on finishes mid-project, and weather for exterior work. The single best thing you can do is make all your material and design decisions before work begins — this prevents the most common controllable delay.
For most projects, yes. Kitchen and bathroom renovations may require temporary adjustments — eating out or using another bathroom during certain phases. We'll discuss logistics during your consultation and work to minimize disruption to your daily routine. Full gut renovations of kitchens or bathrooms are the most disruptive, but manageable with planning.
This calculator gives you a planning window. For an exact schedule tailored to your home and project, our team provides free on-site consultations throughout Barrie, Bradford, Collingwood, and Simcoe County.
(705) 910-0106