Planning · San Francisco
By Solid Bay Construction SF | Updated 2026
The most common question we get after cost is "how long will this actually take?" Here's a realistic month-by-month timeline for a mid-to-large SF renovation, from first call to final walkthrough.
| Project | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Bathroom renovation | 6–12 weeks |
| Kitchen remodel | 3–6 months |
| Garage conversion | 3–5 months |
| Full home remodel | 9–18 months |
| ADU (ground-up or conversion) | 12–24 months |
We walk the property, identify what's structural versus cosmetic, and develop a design and a written, itemized scope of work — not a verbal ballpark. For projects needing architectural or structural drawings, this phase includes that design work.
This is the phase most homeowners underestimate. A simple over-the-counter permit takes 1–5 business days, but most renovation-scale projects need DBI plan check (4–10 weeks) and sometimes SF Planning Department review as well (adding another 8–16 weeks on top). An in-house permit expeditor who works with SF DBI regularly can cut these timelines by 30–50% through pre-application meetings and fast turnaround on comment letters — but it's still the single biggest source of schedule uncertainty in any SF renovation.
Once permits are issued, construction proceeds against the approved plans, scheduled around required DBI inspections at each phase — foundation, framing, rough electrical/plumbing/HVAC, insulation, and final. Actual construction duration depends entirely on project scope: a bathroom is measured in weeks, a full remodel in many months.
The last phase includes final DBI inspection and sign-off, punch-list items, and a final walkthrough before the project is considered complete. Disclosed milestones throughout the project — rather than surprises at the end — are what make this phase quick rather than another round of negotiation.
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