How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take in Aurora?
The short answer
Most full bathroom remodels in Aurora take about three to four weeks of on site work. A small powder room can be done faster. A large primary bathroom with a custom shower, a freestanding tub and moved plumbing can run five to six weeks or more.
That is only the construction part. The planning, selection and ordering phase comes first, and it usually takes longer than people expect. Budget two to six weeks for that before anyone shows up with tools.
So the honest full answer for a typical project is six to ten weeks from the day you decide to go ahead to the day you use the bathroom again.
Before demolition: planning, selections and ordering
Nothing gets scheduled until the decisions are made and the materials are in hand.
During this phase we measure, go over the layout, and agree on scope. You pick tile, grout color, vanity, countertop, faucets, shower valve, toilet, lighting, exhaust fan and hardware. It sounds like a lot because it is. People who have their selections ready move fast. People who are still deciding on tile three days before demo cause their own delays.
Lead times matter more than anything else here. Stock tile and a stock vanity can be picked up the same week. A custom vanity, a special order tub or a stone countertop can take four to eight weeks or longer. We do not start demolition until the long lead items have arrived or have a confirmed delivery date. Starting early just means your bathroom sits gutted while you wait.
Permits are part of this phase too. Work that involves moving plumbing, altering framing or adding electrical circuits generally requires a permit from the city. Pulling a permit is usually quick, but inspection scheduling has to be worked into the timeline, and that is not something any contractor controls.
Week 1: demolition, rough plumbing and electrical
Day one is protection and demolition. Floors and pathways get covered, plastic goes up, and the old tile, tub, vanity and fixtures come out. A standard bathroom demo takes one to two days.
This is when surprises show up. Water damage behind a shower surround, rotted subfloor, old galvanized supply lines, wiring that does not meet current code. If something like that is found, we stop, show you, and talk about what it takes to fix it before moving on. A real problem found here can add a few days. It is better than covering it up.
Once the space is open, the plumber moves drains and supply lines and sets the shower valve. The electrician runs circuits for lighting, outlets and the exhaust fan. Any framing changes happen at the same time. By the end of week one, the rough work is usually done and ready for inspection.
Week 2: inspection, waterproofing and tile
Rough inspection comes first. Nothing gets closed up until that passes.
After that, insulation goes back where needed, then drywall and cement backer board. The shower gets built and waterproofed. This is the most important part of the whole job and it is the part you will never see. Waterproofing membrane and a correctly sloped shower pan are what keep water out of your floor joists ten years from now. Some systems require a flood test, which means the shower sits full of water overnight.
Tile usually starts late in week two. Floor tile, shower walls, any accent or niche work. Setting tile is slower than people think, especially with small format tile, patterns, or a lot of cuts. Then the thinset has to cure before grouting. Grout then needs time before anything heavy sits on it.
Week 3: fixtures, vanity, paint and trim
With tile and grout done, the room comes together quickly. The vanity goes in, the countertop is set, the toilet is installed, the faucets and shower trim go on, lighting and the exhaust fan are finished, and the mirror and accessories are mounted. Paint, baseboard and door trim happen in the same stretch.
If you ordered a stone countertop that was templated after the vanity was set, add one to two weeks for fabrication. That is normal and it is why we try to template as early as the job allows.
Week 4: glass, punch list and final inspection
Custom shower glass is almost always the last item. It cannot be measured until the tile is finished and cured, and fabrication typically runs one to two weeks after measuring. Many bathrooms are fully usable before the glass arrives, with a temporary curtain in the meantime.
The punch list is the last pass. Caulk lines, door adjustments, touch up paint, drawer alignment, cleaning. Final inspection closes out the permit.
What actually causes delays
- Selections made late, or changed after work has started
- Special order items with long lead times, especially vanities, tubs and stone tops
- Hidden damage found at demolition, such as rot, leaks or old wiring
- Inspection scheduling, which runs on the city calendar and not ours
- Shower glass fabrication, which cannot begin until tile is complete
- Change orders mid project, which usually mean reordering or redoing work
What life looks like during the work
That bathroom is out of service from day one until the end. If it is your only bathroom, plan for that now, not in week two. Expect noise and dust during demolition, a crew in your home on weekdays, and vehicles and a dumpster or trailer on your driveway or street.
Ask for a schedule before work begins, and ask what the long lead items are. If you know what you are waiting on, the timeline makes a lot more sense while you are living in it.