Renovations take longer than people expect. Between “we’ve decided” and “it’s finished” is usually 4-12 months — half of it is planning, quotes, and permits before a tradesperson swings a hammer. This free renovation timeline planner breaks the whole project into 7 stages, lets you set target dates for each, and emails you 3 days before each stage so nothing sneaks up on you.
Your plan is bookmarkable via a private link. Nothing is public and nothing is required beyond your email.
The 7 stages we track
- Planning & scope — decide what you want, why, and how much you can spend.
- Getting quotes — 2-3 written itemised quotes from licensed tradespeople.
- Compare & sign contract — apples-to-apples comparison, deposit negotiation, written contract.
- Pre-build preparation — council approval, long-lead materials ordered, start date locked.
- Build phase — active construction, weekly check-ins, progress payments.
- Snag list & completion — final walk-through, snag list rectified, warranty documents received, final payment.
- Post-build review — 3-6 months in, check for latent issues, file warranty docs, leave a review.
How the reminders work
When you set a target date on a stage, we’ll email you 3 days before that date so you can prepare. If a stage is 7 days overdue and not marked complete, we’ll send one gentle nudge asking if you need to update the date or if there’s a problem. That’s it — no daily emails, no marketing.
You can unsubscribe from reminders at any time via the link in every email. Your plan data stays accessible even after unsubscribing.
Typical renovation timelines by project type
Small cosmetic refresh (paint + minor repairs)
Total: 4-6 weeks. Planning & quotes 2-3 weeks, build 1-2 weeks, snag & completion 1 week.
Single-room renovation (bathroom, kitchen)
Total: 3-6 months. Planning & quotes 4-6 weeks, contract 2-4 weeks, permits (if needed) 4-8 weeks, build 4-8 weeks, snag & completion 1-2 weeks.
Multi-room renovation
Total: 6-12 months. Everything scaled up, plus significant planning of temporary living arrangements.
Extension or second storey
Total: 9-18 months. Council DA/CDC alone often takes 3-6 months, structural work 4-8 months, fit-out 2-4 months.
Frequently asked questions
Is my plan private?
Your plan is accessible via a private link tied to a random 64-character token. Only someone with that link can view or edit the plan. We don’t expose plan IDs, list plans publicly, or share plan data with third parties. Your email is used only to send reminders and is never shared.
Can I have more than one plan?
Yes — create a new plan any time from the form above. Each gets its own unique link. Bookmark whichever you want to keep active.
How long do plans stay accessible?
Indefinitely, as long as you have the link. We stop sending reminders after 6 months of no updates to prevent stale plans.
What if I lose the link?
Because plans are tied to a private token (not to a user account), losing the link means losing access. Bookmark it in your browser, or forward the initial “Your renovation timeline is saved” email to yourself with a searchable subject.
Can I share my plan with my partner?
Yes — just share the plan URL. Anyone with the link can view and edit the plan.
Do I need to fill in target dates?
No, but reminders only fire on stages with target dates. If you leave dates blank, you get the checklist without reminders.
Stay in the loop
One short email per month with what’s changed in Australian renovation pricing. No spam.