You catch more flies with honey. The grass is always greener on the other side. Home renovations often take longer than expected.
That third phrase might not have reached official maxim status. Yet it’s virtually a truism. We’ve all heard horror stories of home projects delayed for months or plagued by a Pandora’s box of issues. Even when snags don’t arise, the active construction phase can feel interminable, which is why we asked experts how to expedite that part of the process, whether you DIY or hire a pro to oversee the work.
A GC can be worth it
If your project is medium to large, consider enlisting a general contractor (GC). Typically, they coordinate the work and hire and lead subcontractors, procure materials, manage the schedule and obtain permits. With labor shortages in many skilled trades, their sourcing and supervision of subcontractors can be worth their cost, which often adds 10 percent to 20 percent to the total. According to the NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index, a 2025 survey of remodelers, the trades most affected by labor shortages included finish and rough carpenters, framing crews, bricklayers/masons and concrete workers.
Anticipate problems, then tackle fixes early
No contractor can anticipate every issue. But they should be able to predict some problems and include remediation in their proposal and estimate. For example, a 100-year-old house might have aged plumbing that needs replacing, says Jim Kitchin, a principal at InterWorks in Portland, Oregon. Homes constructed during the mid-1960s to early 1970s, he adds, could have older solid aluminum branch-circuit wiring, which can pose a fire hazard.
Another issue is dry rot, whose telltale signs can be a soft floor, water stains and musty odors. Its scope “always goes further than you think,” Kitchin says. “One end of one piece of a structural element might be compromised. But this could impact the wiring or a cabinet, and you might have to replace the whole thing.
“People are not interested in upgrading their electrical or changing out their pipes because they can’t see that. But those are crucial things. … In an aging home, it’s important to understand what’s important and needs doing.” Prioritize such fixes to avoid problems mid-construction. “The time to replace all the core elements behind the walls is when your bathroom is gutted,” he says.
Work should be parallel
Whether you hire a GC or oversee your project yourself, make sure tasks take place simultaneously when possible, says Eran Polack, CEO and founder of Chapter Renovation in New York. “The biggest cause of delays is not working in parallel,” he says, referring to scheduling tasks one after another. That “relay race”-like approach can lead to idle time, drawing out timetables.
Avoid exterior projects during winter
If you live in a cold climate, outside work should ideally take place during warmer months. “Typically, in the winter, we don’t want to do additions since there are so many weather delays and holidays and the days are shorter,” says Leo Lantz, president and CEO of Leo Lantz Construction in Glen Allen, Virginia. “You’re trying to dig a footing, and the ground is frozen and that’s just miserable. Everything will take longer.”
Get everything in writing, including staggered payments
If you work with a GC, establish in writing who will obtain permits and coordinate inspections, and make sure your contract stipulates a payment schedule tied to stages of completion, Lantz says. He suggests paying no more than 30 percent up-front, 20 percent after demolition, 20 percent after plumbing and electrical rough-ins, 20 percent after installation of the cabinetry boxes and the final 10 percent upon substantial completion.
But that doesn’t mean delaying the last payment if you take several weeks at the end to select a tiny part. “I had a client take three months to pick out a toilet paper holder at Lowe’s for $10,” Lantz says. “He withheld payment until it was installed.” Also make sure you have secured financing and set aside cash that is easily accessible for making payments.
Don’t delay decisions and ordering
Finalize decisions on products, materials and finishes early on. Even a simple project like retiling a shower can involve multiple choices, from tiles to fixtures. “There are a bazillion different manufacturers and types of valves,” Kitchin says. “Many people think they can make their own choices but may need help from a designer. We give them names of showrooms, and they come back and say there are too many choices.”
Promptly place orders for items with longer lead times, such as custom tile and fixtures in specialty finishes, Lantz says. The lead time for semi-custom cabinetry can be up to eight weeks, he adds. “Do your homework on availability.” According to the 2025 NAHB survey, remodelers found that appliances, doors and windows, HVAC equipment, plumbing fixtures and fittings, and cabinets were the trickiest to obtain in a timely fashion.
Check products when they arrive
Open boxes and make sure they contain the right products and parts, with nothing damaged. “At the end of the job, on the last day, we’ll go to put up lights and open the box, and the globe [light] will be broken,” Lantz says. “Clients are ticked off because we’re not done and will need to come back.”
Even if you check all the literal and figurative boxes, though, there will be delays. “I promise you, something will go wrong,” Polack says. “You will see moments that are ugly and you will see delays even with the best renovation company.
“But look at the big picture. If there’s progress and communication, take a deep breath, close your eyes and think about your new apartment.”
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