How Long Does an Apartment Renovation Take?
Quick answer
Most full apartment renovations in the Netherlands take 2 to 4 weeks. A cosmetic refresh (paint and floors) can be under a week; a gut renovation with a new kitchen and bathroom sits at the 3–4 week end. Sequencing the trades correctly is the single biggest factor in staying on schedule.
“How long will it take?” is usually the second question after “how much?” For a typical Dutch apartment the honest answer is two to four weeks — but the spread within that range is wide, and it comes down to scope and sequencing.
A typical timeline, phase by phase
Demolition and strip-out takes one to three days. New walls and ceilings, if any, add two to five days. Flooring is one to four days, a kitchen three to five working days, and a bathroom one to two weeks — these often overlap. Painting and finishing closes out the project over two to six days. Run end to end with sensible overlap, a full renovation lands at two to four weeks.
What makes a project slower
Waiting on materials (especially custom kitchens and stone worktops), structural or permit-bound work that needs a certified partner, and decisions made late all stretch a timeline. The fastest projects are the ones where every choice — tiles, flooring, kitchen — is locked before work starts.
How to keep it on schedule
Lock your material choices early, agree a clear fixed scope, and use one team that sequences the trades rather than separate contractors who each wait on the last. Daily progress updates and a defined hand-off between phases keep the project moving.
Frequently asked
For a full renovation we usually recommend moving out, as the kitchen and bathroom are offline for part of the project. Phased or single-room work can often be done while you stay.
Related services
Apartment Renovation
End-to-end interior renovation for Dutch apartments — strip-out, walls, floors, paint, kitchen, and bathroom delivered as one coordinated project.
Kitchen Installation
Assembly and fitting of IKEA Metod, Bruynzeel, and other prefab kitchens — including worktops, splashbacks, and non-gas appliance hook-up.
Bathroom Installation
Wall and floor tiling, shower trays, walk-in showers, sinks, toilets, and non-gas plumbing coordination — typically 1–2 weeks per bathroom.
More guides
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Read guideHow Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost in the Netherlands?
A new kitchen in the Netherlands typically costs €3,000–€15,000+ installed, depending on the units, worktop, and appliances. Here's how the numbers break down.
Read guideApartment Renovation Checklist for Amsterdam Property Owners
Renovating an apartment in Amsterdam? This checklist covers VvE rules, permits, access, and scope — the things that trip owners up before work even starts.
Read guidePlanning a renovation or reconstruction project?
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