The clocks go back this weekend, the evenings are drawing in, and for a lot of households the same thought lands at once: everyone is coming to ours for Christmas, and the kitchen or bathroom is not up to it. The good news is that there is still time. The honest news is that there is not much of it, and what decides whether you make it is how quickly the decisions get made, not how fast the builder works.
How long the work actually takes
On site, a straightforward bathroom refit usually takes around two to three weeks, covering strip out, first fix plumbing and electrics, plastering, tiling, fitting and decoration. A kitchen refit in the same layout is typically two to four weeks of work. Moving the sink, adding an island or taking out a wall adds time, and anything structural needs a structural engineer and building control before work starts.
The part people underestimate is what happens before anyone arrives on site. Kitchen units from many suppliers take four to eight weeks to deliver, stone or quartz worktops can only be measured once the units are fitted and then take one to two weeks to make, and tiles, taps and sanitaryware can all be on back order in the run up to Christmas.
Bathroom before Christmas: very doable
A bathroom is the safer bet. Most of what goes into one, such as baths, shower trays, toilets, basins and tiles, can be bought from stock, so the lead time is mostly about booking the work. If you settle on a design and a fixed price in the next two weeks, a bathroom finished by mid December is realistic for most North London homes.
Kitchen before Christmas: possible, with conditions
A new kitchen before Christmas is possible if three things are true: you keep the existing layout, you choose units that are in stock or on a short lead time, and you are willing to use a laminate or solid wood worktop rather than waiting for stone. If you have your heart set on a bespoke kitchen or a full redesign, it is usually better to plan it properly now and have it fitted in January, when the house is quieter and you are not racing the calendar.
The dates that matter
- Late October to early November: survey, design and a written fixed price quote
- By mid November: final choices made and materials ordered
- Late November to early December: work on site
- Mid December: final fixes, decoration and clean up
- Leave at least a week of slack before Christmas for late deliveries
The builder can only start once the decisions are made. The biggest delay on a pre Christmas job is almost always a choice that is still open.
How to keep the house usable while the work happens
Living through a kitchen refit is easier than people expect with a little planning. A temporary kitchen in another room with a microwave, kettle and fridge covers most needs for a few weeks. With a bathroom, it is worth checking whether there is a second toilet or shower in the house, and if not, asking for the work to be sequenced so the toilet is out of action for as little time as possible.
If Christmas is too tight, use the time well
If your project is bigger than a like for like refit, the weeks before Christmas are still valuable. Getting the survey, design and quote done now means materials can be ordered over the holidays and work can start early in the new year, ahead of the spring rush when builders across North London get booked up.
Hozea Construction fits kitchens and bathrooms across North and West London. If you want to know whether your project can be done before Christmas, call 07969 378509 or request a free fixed price quote and we will give you a straight answer.
Common questions
- Is it too late to get a new kitchen fitted before Christmas?
- Not always. If you keep the same layout, choose units with a short lead time and decide quickly, a kitchen refit can still be finished before Christmas. A bespoke kitchen or a new layout is usually better planned now and fitted in January.
- How long does a bathroom refit take?
- A typical bathroom refit takes around two to three weeks on site, once the design is agreed and the materials are in. Moving the toilet or shower, or adding underfloor heating, can add time.
- Can I still use my kitchen during the refit?
- Not the kitchen itself, but most households set up a temporary kitchen in another room with a microwave, kettle and fridge. It makes a few weeks of work much easier to live with.
- Do I need planning permission for a new kitchen or bathroom?
- Replacing a kitchen or bathroom inside your home does not normally need planning permission. Building regulations apply to some of the electrical, drainage and ventilation work, and removing a wall may need structural calculations and building control sign off.