How Long Does a Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel Take in San Jose?
It depends on whether the remodel needs plans, how long your materials take to arrive, and which inspections the work requires, so Landford Construction gives dates in your written proposal instead of a standard timeline. What the City of San José does publish is how long its own review takes: about 10 working days for the first round on a home alteration with no structural calculations, and about 5 for each later round.
An online minor remodel permit or Over-the-Counter service doesn’t go through that queue. Below is what sets the schedule and what to ask before you sign.
How long does the permit take in San José?
It depends on the path. Our San José permit guide explains which one applies. Inaccurate plans mean resubmittals, and each round of comments adds time.
- Cosmetic work: no building permit, so no permit wait
- Minor kitchen or bathroom remodel: apply at SJPermits.org, pay online, and download the permit card
- Over-the-Counter service: the permit is issued during your visit if the plans and documents are accurate; allow at least an hour and arrive before 3 p.m.
- Residential Express: upload plans for expedited review at a premium fee, and the permit is issued in a virtual meeting; appointments run Tuesday through Thursday mornings
- Standard Plan Review: about 10 working days for the first round and 5 for each later round on alterations with no structural calculations; review starts after fees are paid and complete, accurate plans are uploaded
What else sets the schedule?
- How complete your selections are when work starts
- How long cabinets, countertops, tile, and appliances take to arrive
- Whether plumbing, gas, electrical lines, or walls move
- Which inspections the permit card lists
- What demolition uncovers
- Changes you approve along the way
What makes a bathroom take longer?
A tub-to-shower conversion or a layout change involves more plumbing, waterproofing, and inspection steps than updating finishes in the same layout. Landford’s Campbell shower expansion shows the stages: removing the enclosure, wall tile, and prefabricated base, then waterproofing, then tile. If it’s your only bathroom, tell Adam early so the plan covers when it will be out of use.
What makes a kitchen take longer?
Keeping the layout usually takes less time than moving walls, plumbing, gas, or electrical lines, which can add plans and plan review. Cabinet, countertop, and appliance lead times also shape the schedule, and detail work takes its own time: the patterned backsplash in Landford’s Los Gatos kitchen got wall templates and a full dry layout before any tile was set.
How long will we be without a kitchen or bathroom?
Your contractor should be able to tell you for your project before work starts. Ask for the dates each room and utility will be out of use, and what those dates depend on. Our guide on living at home during a remodel covers how to plan for it.
Do other cities take longer or shorter?
It varies. Palo Alto’s instant permit for qualifying kitchen and bath remodels needs no staff review. Mountain View says it takes 3 weeks for a completeness review of an additions and remodels application. Redwood City lists residential interior remodels as eligible for its One Stop plan review. Our guide to permits in South Bay cities compares the rules.
What should the contract say about dates?
CSLB says a home improvement contract must give a date of completion. Ask what that date assumes: plan review, material lead times, inspections, and the decisions you need to make along the way. Our guide on choosing a contractor covers the rest of the contract.
How Landford Construction sets the schedule
Your written proposal gives the scope, price, and schedule, and Landford updates you after each stage and inspection. Hidden conditions or approved changes can move the dates; when they do, Adam tells you and updates the plan.
To set a schedule, Adam needs to know the rooms involved, any layout changes, and the finishes you have in mind. Send photos of your space with those details, and Adam responds within one business day. Landford does kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home remodels across San Jose, the South Bay, and the Peninsula.
The bottom line
Plan review is the one part of the schedule the City publishes. The rest depends on your scope, selections, and inspections, so get the dates in writing and ask what they assume.
Official resources
Review times reflect official city pages as of November 2026 and are approximate. They describe city review, not construction. Confirm current times with the agency that has jurisdiction over the property.
About the author
Adam Tamerlan Yagibekov owns Landford Construction, Inc., a licensed general building contractor based in San Jose, California (CSLB #1160801). With 9 years in construction and remodeling, Adam prepares each estimate and stays the client’s point of contact through the whole project.
See what this looks like in practice.
- Shower Expansion — Campbell
- Layout Redesign — San Jose
- Complete Cabinetry & Finish Installation — Los Gatos
Explore the construction scope and completed Landford projects for your type of remodel.
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