Where does interior renovations fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Interior Renovations
Scoped room by room, with the rest of the home kept usable during the work.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For condo owners: Interior Renovations
Planned around the building rules, the board approval and the access schedule.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial spaces: Interior Renovations
Scheduled around the business, with the trades working in order and the site kept safe.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For rental properties: Interior Renovations
Planned for durability and a fast turnaround between tenants.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For custom homes: Interior Renovations
Built into the full new-build plan, with one lead from the first drawing to handover.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
The Plug · Renovate
Interior Renovations
Finishes, layout changes and systems inside your house, with honest timelines before you commit.
0 or 1 ticked: a finishes project, 3 to 6 weeks on site. 2 or 3 ticked: a mid-scope project, 8 to 14 weeks including design and ordering. 4 or 5 ticked: a full interior renovation, plan for 3 to 6 months with a clear design and approval path.
The stages of an interior renovation, with typical timing
| Stage | What happens | Typical time | What moves it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope and measure | Room-by-room list, measurements, existing condition check | 1 to 2 weeks | How many rooms, and how much is hidden |
| Design and selections | Layout, finishes, lighting plan, millwork drawings | 2 to 6 weeks | Number of decision rounds |
| Permits (where needed) | Required for structural, plumbing or some electrical changes | 2 to 8 weeks | Wall changes, new circuits |
| Ordering | Flooring, millwork, fixtures, specialty materials | 2 to 10 weeks | Custom work and imports |
| Demolition and rough-in | Remove old finishes, run new electrical, plumbing and ducts, pass inspections | 2 to 6 weeks | Condition of wiring and framing |
| Drywall, paint and flooring | Close walls, tape and finish, paint, install floors | 3 to 6 weeks | Drying time and sequencing |
| Millwork, fixtures and final | Built-ins, trim, lighting, hardware, final clean and walkthrough | 1 to 3 weeks | Install-ready millwork delivery |
Where interior projects lose time
Decisions after ordering
Changing a finish after it is ordered can mean restocking fees and weeks of delay. Lock the big selections (flooring, cabinetry, lighting, tile) before the order goes in.
Hidden conditions
Old wiring, uneven framing, moisture behind a wall or undersized ducts only show up once walls are open. Build a contingency of time for these, and ask how they will be handled before they appear.
Trade sequencing
Electrical and HVAC rough-in must be inspected before insulation and drywall go up. Painting before the final trades are done means painting twice. The order is part of the plan, not an afterthought.
Lighting placed too late
Light fixtures and switches are a wiring decision. Placing them after drywall means patching and repainting. Plan light locations in design.
Layout inside the house: what changes the flow
Interior layout work is about how rooms connect. A doorway moved two feet can change the way a hallway feels. A wall removed can open a kitchen to a living room, but if the wall is load-bearing, the structure needs an engineered solution. Before any wall moves, we check whether it carries load, what runs through it, and what the permit path looks like.
How we run interior projects, the Real Method way
Questions homeowners ask about interior renovations
Do I need a permit for an interior renovation?
Often not for finishes. Structural changes, new plumbing, and new circuits usually need a permit. Ask us for the check before you commit to the scope.
Can I live in the house during the work?
Usually yes for finishes-only projects. Major layout or system work means dust, noise and periods without a kitchen or bathroom, so we plan the phases around your life.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an interior renovation take?
A finishes-only update usually takes 3 to 6 weeks on site. A layout change with new electrical and HVAC usually takes 3 to 6 months from first design meeting to handover. The scope and the selections decide where in that range you land.
Do I need to pick everything before the work starts?
For the big items, yes. Flooring, cabinetry, lighting and tile should be chosen and ordered before the trades start, so nothing waits on a decision mid-project.
Can you change the layout of a room without a permit?
Non-structural changes often need no permit, but moving plumbing, adding circuits or changing a load-bearing wall usually does. Check before you assume.
Related searches: interior renovation toronto, interior renovation timeline, home interior renovation gta, interior design renovation ontario, how long does an interior renovation take
Related: kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations and basement renovations.
Keep plugging in: what to read next
Quick answer
What does this mean for your house?
Tell us your city and what you need to know. We reply with what applies to your situation, not a generic answer.
Ready to get plugged in?
Pick the way that suits you. We take it from there, and you stay in control.
Let’s Talk!
Let’s Build Something Solid Together
Want a free consult? Tell us if you are renovating, building, adding on or restoring. We will tell you what to do next. Call, email, or book a time online.
How this works, decision by decision
Decision 1: Where interior renovations are used
Interior renovations update the rooms of a house: the layout, the finishes, the doors and the trim. The scope runs from one room to the whole interior.
| Scope | Typical work | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| One room | Finishes, lighting, storage | Quick turnaround |
| Several rooms | Layout tweaks, finishes | Coordinated finishes |
| Whole interior | Full refresh of finishes and details | Phasing and living in the house |
Our pick: Scope the interior room by room. The whole interior is a sum of planned rooms.
Decision 2: Layout and structure
Layout changes move walls and openings. Load-bearing walls are checked before they are changed.
| Change | Check |
|---|---|
| Open a wall | Load path and engineering |
| Add a doorway | Header sized to the load |
| Move a partition | Services and framing |
Our pick: Check the load path before a wall moves. Structural changes need engineering.
Decision 3: Doors, trim and millwork
Doors and trim set the character of the room. Matching profiles keep the house consistent.
| Element | Choice |
|---|---|
| Interior doors | Style matched to the house |
| Casing and baseboard | Profile matched to the existing |
| Built-ins | Sized to the wall and window |
Our pick: Match the profiles to the house. New trim that does not match shows.
Decision 4: Flooring and subfloor
Flooring is chosen for the room use, the wear and the look. The subfloor is levelled before the finish goes down.
| Floor | Good for |
|---|---|
| Hardwood | Warmth and durability |
| Engineered wood | Stability in changing humidity |
| Tile | Wet rooms and high traffic |
Our pick: Level the subfloor before any finish. Uneven floors show in every room.
Decision 5: Paint and finishes
Paint and finishes set the mood of each room. Sheen and colour are chosen for the light and the wear.
| Area | Sheen |
|---|---|
| Ceilings | Flat, hides imperfections |
| Walls | Eggshell or satin for wear |
| Trim and doors | Satin or semi-gloss for cleaning |
Our pick: Choose sheen for the wear. A high sheen shows every flaw in the wall.
Decision 6: Lighting and electrical
Lighting is planned in layers and the electrical is set for the room. New outlets and switches are placed before the drywall closes.
| Item | Check |
|---|---|
| Outlets | Placed for the furniture layout |
| Switches | Placed at the entries |
| Lighting layers | General, task and accent |
Our pick: Place outlets and switches on the layout before the walls close.
Decision 7: Heating and ventilation
Rooms that change need the heat and the air to match. Ducts and returns are checked for the new layout.
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Ducts | Reach the new room |
| Returns | Enough air to move |
| Thermostat | Zoned if needed |
Our pick: Check the ducts for the new layout. A room without air is a room nobody uses.
Decision 8: Permits and inspection
Interior work is permitted when it changes structure, services or egress. Finish work usually needs no permit.
| Scope | Approval |
|---|---|
| Finishes and trim | Usually no permit |
| Structural change | Engineering and permit |
| New electrical or plumbing | Trade permit and inspection |
Our pick: Confirm the permit for any structural or service change before work starts.
Decision 9: Warranty and maintenance
Interior finishes last with routine care. Checking the caulking, the doors and the floors keeps the room looking right.
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Caulking | Renewed when it cracks |
| Doors | Adjusted when they stick |
| Floors | Cleaned with the right product |
Our pick: Adjust the doors and renew the caulking as they wear. It keeps the finish looking new.