One of the most common questions from property owners renovating on the Costa del Sol is: how long will this actually take? Here are realistic figures based on projects completed in 2025–2026.
Timeline by project type
| Project | Realistic timeline |
|---|---|
| Single bathroom renovation | 3 – 5 weeks |
| Kitchen renovation (no structural changes) | 5 – 8 weeks |
| Kitchen + bathroom renovation | 8 – 14 weeks |
| Full apartment renovation (70–90 m²) | 10 – 16 weeks |
| Full villa renovation (150–250 m²) | 4 – 7 months |
| Full villa renovation (250–400 m²) | 6 – 10 months |
What causes delays
1. Material lead times: Custom tiles, fitted furniture and specific sanitaryware can have 4–10 week lead times. Ordering early is the biggest lever on total timeline.
2. Permits: A licencia de obra menor can take 2–6 weeks in Málaga municipalities. Major works permits take longer. Starting permit applications before material selection is confirmed saves time.
3. Structural surprises: Opening walls sometimes reveals old plumbing or cabling that needs replacing. Site assessment reduces this risk but doesn't eliminate it entirely.
4. Community access rules: Some urbanisations restrict work hours to 8am–2pm weekdays, which extends effective duration.
How to plan realistically
The written quotation we provide includes a confirmed timeline before any work starts. Build in a 2-week buffer before you need the property. For holiday rental properties, plan works in the autumn/winter window to avoid losing summer bookings.