What's a realistic timeline for a whole home renovation in Moncton?

A whole home renovation in Moncton typically takes 4-8 months for a complete gut and rebuild, though the timeline depends heavily on your project scope, permit complexity, and seasonal timing.

The design and permitting phase usually consumes 6-12 weeks upfront. For major renovations, you'll need building permits from the City of Moncton's Planning & Development department (506-856-4375), plus separate permits from NB Power for electrical work (1-800-615-0522) and TIS for plumbing and gas systems (1-888-659-3222). If you're doing structural changes, plan extra time for engineered drawings and plan review.

Construction phases break down roughly like this: demolition and structural work (2-4 weeks), rough mechanical installations - electrical, plumbing, HVAC (3-4 weeks), insulation and drywall (2-3 weeks), flooring and interior finishes (4-6 weeks), kitchen and bathroom installations (2-4 weeks), and final inspections and touch-ups (1-2 weeks). These phases often overlap, but weather delays, permit inspections, and material deliveries can extend timelines.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact Moncton projects. Starting in spring gives you the full construction season through fall - ideal for any exterior work, roofing, or foundation repairs. Winter projects focus on interiors but face potential delivery delays during Maritime storms. Many contractors book 2-3 months ahead during peak season (May through September).

What affects your timeline most: Structural changes requiring engineering, custom millwork or special-order materials (8-16 week lead times common), heritage home complications if you're in older Moncton neighborhoods, and availability of specialized trades. Moncton has good contractor availability compared to rural NB, but skilled finish carpenters and tile installers often have 4-6 week wait times.

Realistic expectations: A modest whole-home refresh (new flooring, paint, updated bathrooms, kitchen refresh) might finish in 3-4 months. A complete gut renovation with structural changes, new mechanical systems, and high-end finishes typically runs 6-8 months. Adding square footage or dealing with unexpected issues (common in Moncton's post-war bungalows) can push timelines to 10-12 months.

Smart next step: Get 3-4 detailed quotes from established Moncton contractors that include realistic timelines for each phase. Ask specifically about their current booking schedule and how they handle Maritime weather delays. Most experienced contractors will build 10-15% buffer time into their estimates for unforeseen complications.

Find verified whole-home renovation contractors in our New Brunswick directory to start gathering those detailed timeline estimates.