Custom Home Building Blog

How Long Does a Home Remodel Take in Central New Jersey? | GTG Builders

Written by GTG Builders | Nov 19, 2025

Thinking about remodeling your home in Central New Jersey? No matter how big your goals are, understanding the timeline is key. Many homeowners want to know how long a home remodel takes, what the process looks like, and what can affect the schedule. This guide gives you a construction timeline, provides an accurate home remodel timeline from start to finish, and explains how we keep projects on track across Central New Jersey.

Here's what to expect in this blog:

How Long Does It Take to Remodel a House?

Average Remodel Schedule

Steps in a Full Renovation

Remodeling an Entire House

Remodeling Timeline FAQs

Starting a Home Remodel

Renovating by Yourself

Renovating a Small House

Fixer Upper Timelines

Remodeling Companies

How long does it take to remodel a house?

This is somewhat of a loaded question, and here's why. The construction timeline is different than the timeline for the full remodeling process. A full home remodel in Central New Jersey typically takes 9 to 12 months from the initial consultation to the final walkthrough. That includes 4 to 6 months of construction, plus time for planning, selections, permits, and inspections. If the project includes an addition, zoning reviews, or variances, it may extend the timeline by 30 to 60 days.

At GTG Builders, we handle all the research and permit coordination for you. For whole home renovations, homeowners often move out temporarily. We help you plan for that and keep your return date realistic and on schedule. You can dig into how permits and planning impact your remodeling process, but know that you're always in capable hands with our team. We also have a resource to help you know what to expect when you're planning a home addition

What Is the Average Remodel Schedule?

While no two homes are the same, the average remodeling time for most projects follows this flow:

  • Planning and design

  • Permitting and approvals

  • Construction and interior work

  • Final inspections and walkthrough

A typical whole home renovation in Central New Jersey stays within that 9 to 12-month range from the first consultation to handing the keys over. Smaller projects like kitchens, baths, or additions usually take less time.

What Are the Steps in a Full House Renovation?

Here’s what a complete home renovation timeline and checklist involve. You can add details that matter most to you, but here is the outline:

  • Consultation and project scope
  • Architectural plans and design selections
  • Permitting and engineering
  • Demolition and site preparation
  • Structural framing and rough-ins
  • Inspections and approvals
  • Insulation and drywall
  • Interior finishes and flooring
  • Final mechanicals and fixtures
  • Punch list and move-in

We handle each phase for you, from managing town inspections to scheduling subcontractors and handling materials. Part of our offer is the experience and relationships with different agencies and subcontractors. We leverage all of those for your project. 

Can You Really Remodel an Entire House?

Yes, and with the right team, it can be a smooth and rewarding process. Whole home remodels are complex and require coordination of multiple trades, inspections, and schedules. That’s why homeowners across Central New Jersey trust GTG Builders. We bring the systems, processes, and communication of a custom home builder to every remodel we take on.

Your New Jersey Home Remodeling Timeline FAQs

We know homeowners have a lot of questions when it comes to remodeling timelines, especially for full-home renovations and additions. How long does it take to get permits? When does construction start? What causes delays? To help you plan with confidence, we’ve compiled some of the most common NJ remodeling timeline FAQs below.

1. How Long Does a Home Remodel Take to Start?

Before construction begins, you’ll go through planning, design, budgeting, and permitting. This pre-construction phase takes 6 to 12 weeks, depending on how quickly selections are made and how responsive your municipality is. GTG Builders speeds this up by managing all steps in-house and ensuring permit packages are complete and compliant.

2. How Long Does It Take to Renovate a House by Yourself?

Wondering how long it takes to renovate a house by yourself? The answer is often 12 to 24 months or more. DIY full-home remodels are rarely efficient or code-compliant. Scheduling trades, navigating permits, and passing inspections take experience. We strongly recommend leaving large-scale renovations to the pros.

3. How Long Does It Take to Renovate a Small House?

For homes under 1,500 square feet, a full renovation typically has a shorter construction period, but planning and final inspections take the same amount of time. Smaller scope means faster progress, but permit and finish timelines still apply.

4. How Long Does It Take to Renovate a House on Fixer Upper?

HGTV timelines rarely reflect reality. In real life, a fixer-upper in New Jersey usually takes 6 to 12 months to renovate, depending on structural issues, system upgrades, and inspection requirements. Television editing compresses weeks of delays and months of work into a quick reveal, but real projects require more time and planning.

Remodeling Companies in Central New Jersey

There’s no shortage of contractors in the area, but not all are equipped for large-scale or full-home remodels. Many don’t manage permits or schedules, and few have the custom home experience that complex renovations demand. Our team provides information on whether you should move and remodel, permits and processes, and continues to educate whether or not you're our client. We also provide homeowner resources to anyone who asks. 

The Difference with GTG Builders

When you work with GTG Builders, you quickly learn that we bring custom home and remodeling expertise to every renovation project. We deliver structured project management, coordinate design, permitting, construction, and finishing work, and understand how to navigate local townships and building departments throughout Central New Jersey and Upper Bucks County, PA. Our process keeps your project flowing with reliable timelines and clear communication. We maintain a strong portfolio of custom homes, remodels, ADUs, and detached garages. When you work with our remodeling company, you don’t just get contractors; you get trusted advisors who prioritize quality, transparency, and your schedule every step of the way.

Contact Us

Contact us today to set up a consultation and begin your journey toward a beautifully renovated home.