Renovation Guides
When's the best time to renovate?
When to schedule roofs, windows, painting, pavers and interior remodels in Florida, around the rainy season, hurricane season, holidays and contractor demand.
Renovation Guides
How Long Does a Remodel Take in Florida?
Realistic timelines for Florida remodels, from roofs and impact windows to kitchens and additions, with permits, HOA review and hurricane season.
Last updated: Checked against official sources: 2 min readBy the Florida Renovation Guide editorial teamTopic: Permits & Contractor Guides
The short answer
- The work itself is often the shortest part. Design, HOA approval, permits and product lead times usually take longer.
- Florida law sets permit review deadlines, including 30 business days for many single-family permits and, since July 2026, 5 business days for certain listed permit types, such as roofing, electrical and plumbing, for work under $15,000 on existing single-family homes.
- Impact windows, doors and custom products are often made to order and can take weeks to arrive.
- Hurricane season, from June 1 to November 30, can delay outdoor work, and demand for contractors jumps after storms.
On this page
When homeowners ask how long a remodel takes, they usually mean the construction. In practice, the weeks before construction starts, for design, approvals, permits and ordering, are often longer than the work itself.
Typical timelines
These are rough ranges for planning. Your project can be shorter or longer depending on scope, the contractor's schedule, your HOA and building department, and the season.
| Project | Before work starts | On-site work |
|---|---|---|
| Shingle reroof | A few weeks for permit and materials | A few days |
| Tile or metal reroof | A few weeks to a couple of months | One to a few weeks |
| Impact windows and doors | Several weeks for HOA, permit and manufacturing | Several days for a typical home |
| Hurricane shutters | A few weeks | A few days |
| Screen enclosure | A few weeks for engineering, HOA and permit | One to two weeks |
| Bathroom remodel | A few weeks to choose finishes and get permits | Several weeks |
| Kitchen remodel | One to a few months for design and cabinet lead times | Several weeks to a few months |
| Addition | Several months for design, engineering and permits | Several months |
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Where the time goes
- Choosing a contractor. Getting quotes and checking licenses takes time, especially during busy seasons.
- Design and selections. Cabinets, tile, windows and roofing products need to be chosen before ordering.
- HOA approval. Committees often meet on a schedule. See HOA approval in Florida.
- Permits. State law sets deadlines once your application is complete. Since July 1, 2026, certain listed permit types, such as roofing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas and structural permits, for work under $15,000 on existing single-family homes must be issued within 5 business days when the local plans reviewer is used, and many other single-family permits within 30 business days. See building permits in Florida.
- Product lead times. Impact windows and doors, custom cabinets, louvered pergolas and some roofing products are made or shipped to order.
- Inspections. Each stage waits for an inspection; see building inspections.
Hurricane season and storms
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Summer brings almost daily afternoon storms in much of Florida, which slow roofing, painting and outdoor concrete work. After a major hurricane, contractors and building departments prioritize repairs, materials can be scarce and schedules slip. See the best time to renovate in Florida.
Keeping your project on schedule
- Make decisions early and order long-lead items before demolition.
- Submit complete HOA and permit applications.
- Keep a contingency for both money and time; see renovation contingency.
- Ask your contractor for a written schedule with milestones, and agree on how weather delays are handled.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a building permit in Florida?
It depends on the project and the building department's workload, but state law requires local governments to act on complete single-family applications within set deadlines, such as 30 business days for many permits and 5 business days for certain types of smaller work on existing homes. Corrections and incomplete applications add time.
Can I speed up permits?
Submit a complete application, respond quickly to comments, and consider a private provider for plan review and inspections on larger projects.
Why did my contractor's schedule slip after a hurricane?
After major storms, contractors and building departments are flooded with urgent repairs, and materials can be scarce. Build flexibility into your schedule if your project runs through hurricane season.
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Official sources
- Section 553.792, building permit application to local government (The Florida Senate)
- CS/CS/HB 803 (2026), Building Permits and Inspections (The Florida Senate)
- Section 553.791, alternative plans review and inspection (The Florida Senate)
We summarize official information in our own words and link to the source. Requirements can change, so confirm details with the source before relying on them. Our editorial standards
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