Guide
What actually drives the cost and timeline of a remodel
You will not find prices on this site, because two kitchens on the same street can be double apart. What you will find is what moves the number, so you can read any contractor’s quote and know what you are looking at.
The five things that move every quote
Scope. Same layout with new finishes is one job. Moving walls, plumbing or a staircase is a different job. Ask for the quote broken into “keep the layout” and “change the layout” if you are deciding.
Materials. Cabinet grade, counter material, tile size and pattern, wood species, hardware. A painted maple shaker door and a slab-front laminate door can look alike in a photo and be far apart in cost. The materials library explains each one.
Permits and inspections. Structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work is permitted. The fee is small; the time is real, and Denver reviews take longer than the suburbs.
Lead times. Cabinets run 4 to 10 weeks, windows 6 to 12, special-order tile and fixtures 2 to 8. A good schedule orders these before demo. A bad one starts demo and waits.
Who does the finish work. The carpentry line on a quote covers cabinets, trim, stairs and built-ins. It is there on every quote; the difference is whether it is done by a delivery crew or by the contractor.
By project
Kitchens
Biggest cost drivers: cabinets, then counters, then whether the layout changes. Timeline: 2 to 3 weeks for a refresh, 4 to 8 weeks for a full remodel, plus cabinet lead time before start. The week-by-week calendar.
Bathrooms
Drivers: tile scope (a tiled shower is the big one), custom vanity versus stock, moving plumbing. Timeline: 1 to 2 days for a vanity and fixtures, 2 to 4 weeks for a full remodel.
Basements
Drivers: bathroom, egress, ceiling height and ductwork, moisture, electrical, finish level. Timeline: 3 to 4 weeks for one room, 6 to 10 weeks for a full finish. The six factors, explained.
Additions
Drivers: foundation and structure, roof tie-in, matching the exterior, second story versus single. Timeline: 6 to 12 weeks of design and permit, then 10 to 16 weeks of construction.
Custom carpentry
Drivers: species and cut of the wood, size, whether it is site-built or shop-built, finish. Timeline: a day for a shelf or mantel, 1 to 2 weeks for a built-in wall, 2 to 4 weeks for a staircase.
How to compare two quotes
Make sure both cover the same scope, the same cabinet grade, the same counter, and both include permits and disposal. Ask who is on site and who does the carpentry. Then compare. The cheaper number is often a smaller scope, not a better deal.