One of the questions we hear most often at Reformas By Bianca is perfectly straightforward: how long does it take to renovate a flat? The honest answer is that it depends on a number of factors — but that doesn't mean we can't give you concrete figures. We've been carrying out full renovations across Cádiz city, Chiclana, El Puerto de Santa María, San Fernando, and the wider province for years, and we've built up real data that will help you plan your project with your feet firmly on the ground. In this guide we break down the timelines phase by phase, explain what can speed up or delay the work, and give you the tools to negotiate a realistic schedule with your building firm.
How long does a full renovation of an entire flat take?
A full renovation of a standard flat between 60 and 90 square metres in Cádiz typically takes between 8 and 14 weeks of actual working time. That range covers everything from the initial strip-out through to the final clean, including all the installations, finishes, and finishing touches. For an 80-square-metre flat with a complete kitchen, bathroom, flooring, electrics, and plumbing overhaul, the average timeline we work to is 10 to 12 weeks. It's worth distinguishing between working weeks and calendar weeks: bank holidays, long weekends, and potential delays in materials supply can add between 1 and 3 extra weeks to the overall schedule.
Smaller flats of 40 to 55 square metres are generally completed in 6 to 9 weeks. Larger properties above 100 square metres may require between 12 and 18 weeks depending on the complexity of the project. One key factor affecting the duration of a full renovation in Cádiz is the existing condition of the installations: a flat from the 1970s or 1980s in the old town, with lead pipework and wiring without an earth connection, will take considerably longer than a flat from the 2000s with relatively modern installations.
| Flat size | Estimated timeline | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| 40–55 m² | 6–9 weeks | €18,000 – €30,000 |
| 60–80 m² | 8–12 weeks | €25,000 – €45,000 |
| 80–100 m² | 10–14 weeks | €35,000 – €55,000 |
| 100–130 m² | 12–18 weeks | €45,000 – €70,000 |
| +130 m² | 16–24 weeks | From €60,000 |
Duration by type of renovation: bathroom, kitchen, flooring, and more
Not every renovation is a full overhaul. Many clients come to us wanting to update just one room or a specific element. A complete kitchen renovation — including demolition, plumbing, electrics, tiling, fitting of units, and appliances — typically takes 3 to 5 weeks. If you're simply replacing the units and worktop without touching the installations, you could be done in 7 to 10 working days. A full bathroom renovation, meanwhile, takes between 2 and 4 weeks: it's a smaller space, but it concentrates a great deal of plumbing and requires waterproofing that needs proper drying time.
Replacing the flooring throughout an 80-square-metre flat takes 1 to 2 weeks if you opt for laminate or vinyl, and 2 to 3 weeks if you choose porcelain stoneware or ceramic tiles, which require mortar and grouting. A full repaint of a flat the same size takes between 4 and 7 days, depending on the condition of the walls and whether damp or cracks need addressing before the finish is applied. A complete rewire — which involves cutting chases, running new cable, and installing an up-to-date consumer unit — adds between 1 and 2 weeks to the schedule.
- Full kitchen renovation: 3–5 weeks (from €6,000 to €15,000)
- Full bathroom renovation: 2–4 weeks (from €4,000 to €10,000)
- Complete flooring replacement (80 m²): 1–3 weeks (from €3,500 to €8,000)
- Full repaint of flat: 4–7 days (from €1,200 to €3,000)
- Complete rewire: 1–2 weeks (from €3,000 to €6,000)
- Complete plumbing replacement: 1–2 weeks (from €2,500 to €5,500)
Phases of a full renovation and how long each one takes
Every full renovation follows a logical sequence that cannot be altered without compromising the quality of the outcome. The phases of a full renovation are interdependent: each stage relies on the previous one having been completed correctly. Skipping steps or overlapping phases that are incompatible is one of the most common causes of problems on site. At Reformas By Bianca we follow a clear protocol that we share with you from the very first quote, so you always know exactly where your renovation stands.
The first phase is demolition and removal of rubble, which in an 80-square-metre flat takes between 3 and 5 days. This is followed by the brickwork and concealed installations phase — plumbing, electrics, chases, and conduits — which takes between 2 and 3 weeks and is the most critical stage, because any mistake is buried behind the walls. Next comes the tiling of bathrooms and kitchen, together with the general floor laying, which requires 2 to 3 weeks including mortar setting time and grouting.
The fourth phase covers plastering the walls, fitting any suspended ceilings, and preparing surfaces for painting — this takes 1 to 2 weeks. Internal joinery, doors, and windows (if being replaced) are then installed in around 3 to 5 days. Painting takes approximately 1 week. Finally, the fitting of kitchen and bathroom furniture, sanitaryware, taps, electrical fittings, and the last finishing touches closes out the build in a further week. A professional final clean and a thorough snag check add another 1 to 2 days.
| Phase | Estimated duration | % of total timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition and rubble removal | 3–5 days | 5–8% |
| Installations (plumbing, electrics) | 2–3 weeks | 20–25% |
| Tiling and floor laying | 2–3 weeks | 20–25% |
| Plastering, suspended ceilings, and surface prep | 1–2 weeks | 10–15% |
| Internal joinery and windows | 3–5 days | 5–8% |
| Painting | 5–7 days | 8–10% |
| Fitting, sanitaryware, and finishing touches | 1–2 weeks | 12–15% |
| Final clean and snagging | 1–2 days | 2–3% |
Want to know how long your renovation would take? At Reformas By Bianca we provide a detailed schedule before starting, with a committed delivery date. Request your free visit.
Get a free quote →Factors that extend (or shorten) your renovation timeline
The existing condition of the flat is the single biggest factor. A property in the old town of Cádiz with ostionera stone walls, lead pipework, and outdated wiring can add between 2 and 4 extra weeks compared to one with a modern structure. Hidden surprises — such as rising damp that only becomes apparent once the tiles are removed, buried pipework in poor condition, or structural issues in the floor slab — are genuine unforeseen events that extend any build. That's precisely why our quotes always include a contingency allowance of 10–15% on both cost and timeline.
Material availability also has a direct impact. A porcelain tile held in national stock will arrive in 3 to 5 days, but an imported Italian tile or a bespoke kitchen unit can take between 4 and 8 weeks to be delivered. We always recommend having every material confirmed and ordered before demolition begins. The speed at which clients make decisions is another determining factor: every week spent deliberating over a material or a finish is a week of downtime on site, with all the costs that entails.
- Factors that cause delays: poor existing condition, imported or bespoke materials, design changes mid-build, delays in obtaining council permits, extreme weather conditions (strong levante winds in Cádiz)
- Factors that speed things up: vacant and accessible flat, all decisions made before work begins, materials available from stock, a complete and well-coordinated site team, a well-defined project with no amendments
Practical tip: Before signing the contract, spend 2 to 3 weeks visiting showrooms in Cádiz to choose tiles, taps, flooring, and furniture, and get everything confirmed with delivery dates. That time invested before the build starts can save you between 2 and 4 weeks of delays during the works. At Reformas By Bianca we guide you through this selection process so you don't have to go it alone.
Full renovation in an occupied flat vs. an empty flat: the difference in time
The difference in timelines between renovating an empty flat and an occupied one is significant: a lived-in flat can add between 20% and 40% to the overall schedule. The reason is logistical. When you're living in the flat during the works, the tradespeople must protect your furniture and belongings, work in sections to always leave you a habitable space, and in many cases restrict working hours to respect your routine. All of this fragments the work and reduces daily productivity.
In an empty flat, the team works without restrictions: they can use the full space, leave equipment set up overnight, and carry out tasks in different rooms simultaneously. A full renovation of an 80-square-metre flat that takes 10 weeks in an empty property can stretch to 13 or 14 weeks with the flat occupied. Our advice is clear: if you have the option of moving out temporarily, do it. The saving in time and stress more than justifies the cost of a short-term rental, which in Cádiz typically runs to around €600–€900 per month depending on the area.
If moving out isn't an option, we plan the work in sequential phases, room by room. We start with the bathroom and kitchen while you use the rest of the flat, then move on to the bedrooms and living room. This approach works, but it demands tighter coordination and clear, regular communication between you and our site manager so that both sides know what to expect each week.
What's the best time of year to renovate in Cádiz?
Cádiz enjoys a wonderfully favourable climate for building work, with over 300 days of sunshine a year and mild temperatures even in winter. That said, some times of year are better than others for starting a full renovation. The months of September to November are ideal: temperatures drop from the summer peak, renovation firms tend to have more availability after the August slowdown, and materials suppliers are running at full capacity. Start in September and you could have your flat ready to enjoy over Christmas in a freshly renovated home.
January to March is also a good window, with the added advantage that many suppliers run new-year promotions on kitchen and bathroom materials. Avoid starting work in July and August if you can: extreme heat slows the pace of work, many suppliers operate reduced hours, and mortar and paint can have drying problems when temperatures exceed 35 degrees. The levante wind, which is frequent in the Strait area, can also hold up exterior work such as facades and terraces. Cádiz's Carnaval season, falling between February and March, can complicate access to flats in the old town due to road closures and parking restrictions for loading and unloading.
How to plan your renovation timeline with your building firm
Rigorous planning for a full renovation begins weeks before the first tradesperson sets foot in your flat. The first step is to request a detailed quote that includes not just prices but a build programme with indicative dates for each phase. Be wary of any firm that gives you a timeline without having visited the property and assessed the actual condition of the installations. At Reformas By Bianca we carry out a free initial technical inspection before quoting, because we know that a quote drawn up from a desk without seeing the site always ends in surprises.
Before work begins, make sure you have the following sorted: all materials selected and ordered with confirmed delivery dates; the building permit processed with the Ayuntamiento de Cádiz or the relevant local authority (minor works licences typically take between 1 and 4 weeks to come through); the contract signed with clear penalties for unjustified delays; and a single point of contact at the firm who will keep you updated on progress every week. Also ask for a visual programme — a simplified Gantt chart — that lets you see at a glance what will be happening each week.
- Request a quote with a detailed phase-by-phase programme
- Select and confirm all materials before work starts
- Apply for the council building permit well in advance (allow 1–4 weeks)
- Sign a contract with clear timelines, penalties, and milestone-based payment terms
- Set up a weekly communication channel with the site manager
- Build in a contingency allowance of 10–15% on both budget and timeline
At Reformas By Bianca we operate with complete transparency on timelines. We hand you a build programme from day one and keep you informed every week with photos and a brief progress update. If anything unexpected crops up, we tell you straight away with the available options and their impact on the schedule and cost. Because a quick renovation in Cádiz isn't one that's rushed — it's one that's been properly planned from the outset. If you're thinking of renovating your flat, get in touch with us for a free technical visit and a quote with real, honest timelines.