How long should a full gut renovation of a 1,500 sq ft bungalow take in Fredericton from start to move-in?

A full gut renovation of a 1,500 sq ft bungalow in Fredericton typically runs 6 to 12 months from permit approval to move-in day — and that range isn't vague padding. Where you land depends heavily on how much you've got figured out before the first wall comes down.

Here's how the timeline actually breaks down in practice:

Pre-construction (4–12 weeks) is where most homeowners underestimate the clock. You need drawings, a building permit from the City of Fredericton Development Services (506-460-2020), and trade quotes locked in before demo begins. Fredericton's permit office is generally reasonable to work with, but complex projects can take 4–6 weeks for review. If your gut reno touches structural elements — removing load-bearing walls, altering the foundation, changing the roofline — you'll need stamped engineering drawings, which adds another 2–4 weeks and $1,500–$4,000+ in engineering fees.

Demolition is the satisfying part and goes fast — typically 3–7 days for a 1,500 sq ft bungalow. But what demo reveals is where timelines get blown up. Fredericton's post-war bungalow stock (very common in areas like Skyline Acres, Prospect, and the Northside) frequently hides knob-and-tube wiring, vermiculite insulation (possible asbestos — requires professional testing and abatement before work proceeds), galvanized drain pipes, and undersized electrical panels. Budget 2–4 weeks for surprises.

Rough-in trades — framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC — run roughly 4–8 weeks and must happen in sequence. In New Brunswick, all electrical work requires a licensed electrical contractor and a wiring permit through NB Power (1-800-615-0522). Plumbing and gas work require licensed tradespeople through NB Dept. of Justice and Public Safety — Technical Inspection Services (TIS). Each rough-in phase needs a passed inspection before you can close the walls. Don't let anyone tell you to skip inspections — failed inspections discovered later mean opening walls back up.

Insulation and drywall follow inspections — typically 2–4 weeks. If you're doing a full gut, this is your best opportunity to bring the home up to modern performance. NB Power's Total Home Energy Savings Program offers rebates on insulation upgrades, and with the NBC 2020 Tier 2 energy requirements now in effect for new applications as of May 1, 2025, your inspector will be looking closely at thermal performance.

Finishing trades — flooring, tile, cabinetry, trim, painting, fixture installation — take the longest and are the most schedule-sensitive. This phase runs 6–14 weeks depending on material lead times and how many trades are sequenced back-to-back. Kitchen and bathroom fixtures can have 8–16 week lead times right now; order early.

Final inspections and occupancy add another 1–2 weeks at the end.

Realistically, a well-managed project with no major surprises lands around 7–9 months. Projects that hit asbestos, structural issues, or contractor scheduling gaps stretch to 12 months or beyond. Fredericton's skilled trades market is competitive — locking in your general contractor and key subtrades before demo starts is critical. Gaps between trades are where months disappear.

On budget: full gut renovations in the Fredericton market typically run $100–$175 per square foot for mid-range finishes, meaning $150,000–$262,000 for your 1,500 sq ft. High-end finishes push that to $200/sq ft and beyond.

Find licensed general contractors and trades in the New Brunswick Construction Network directory — and get at least three quotes before committing. The contractor who can start next week isn't always the right choice.