One of the first questions anyone asks before starting a complete renovation in Mallorca is this: How long will the construction take?
And that's perfectly normal. Because beyond the budget, time is one of the factors that most influences the decision. A renovation that lasts two months is not the same as one that drags on for half a year.
The short answer would be: it depends. But the reality is that there are fairly common timeframes in Mallorca, and above all, there are very specific reasons why a renovation can take longer than expected.
Here I explain it to you clearly, without beating around the bush.
Average time for a complete renovation in Mallorca
If we're talking about a standard comprehensive renovation, these would be the most common timeframes:
- Small homes (50-70 m²): between 2 and 3 months
- Medium-sized homes (80-120 m²): between 3 and 5 months
- Large homes or houses: between 5 and 7 months
These deadlines include the execution of the work, but do not always include the entire prior process, which also takes time.
Because a renovation doesn't begin the day the construction workers arrive. It begins much earlier.
Before the play: the time that almost no one talks about
This is where many expectations fall short.
Before starting a renovation in Mallorca, there is a preliminary phase that can last between 3 and 8 weeks, depending on the case.
Includes:
- Visits to the property
- Project definition
- Budget
- Choice of materials
- License processing
In municipalities like Palma, this last point can significantly lengthen the process if it is not managed properly.
In other words, even if the work lasts 3 months, the entire process can easily take 4 or 5.
Phases of a renovation and how long each one lasts
To better understand the timelines, it makes sense to divide the reform into stages.
1. Demolition and preparation (1-2 weeks)
This is the initial phase. The house is emptied here:
- Demolitions
- Removal of materials
- Cleaning
It is usually fast, but intense.
In old houses in Mallorca, it is quite common to find surprises at this point.
2. Facilities (2-3 weeks)
Once the house is "in its raw state", it is rebuilt:
- Electricity
- Plumbing
- Air conditioning
It's a key phase, even though it's not very visible.
If there are significant changes in distribution, it may take a little longer.
3. Masonry (3-5 weeks)
This is where everything starts to take shape again.
Includes:
- Partition wall construction
- Plasters
- Surface preparation
It is one of the longest phases.
4. Finishing (3-4 weeks)
We now enter the more visual part:
- Soils
- Tiles
- Paint
This is where the house starts to resemble what you imagined.
5. Carpentry and details (2-3 weeks)
Final steps:
- Doors
- Wardrobes
- Kitchen
- Lightning
It's clear here that the end is near.
Why might a renovation take longer than expected?
Even with a clear plan, several factors can cause deadlines to be extended.
And some are quite common in Mallorca.
1. Changes during the work
It is probably the most common reason.
Deciding to change materials, layout or finishes once the work has started usually directly affects the schedule.
2. Hidden problems in the home
Especially in older apartments:
- Facilities in poor condition
- Dampness
- Deteriorated structural elements
These are things that are not always detected at the beginning.
3. Licensing delays
In Palma, this happens more than you might think.
If the permits are not properly managed, the work can be delayed even before it starts.
4. Lack of coordination
When there isn't a company managing everything, the timeframes lengthen.
Each professional goes at their own pace, and that ends up affecting the whole.
5. Supply of materials
Some materials have long delivery times, especially if they are specific or customized.
This can slow progress in certain phases.
Can a comprehensive reform be accelerated?
Yes, but with nuances.
There are ways to optimize time:
- Have the project well defined from the beginning
- Choosing materials before starting
- Having a company that coordinates everything
But trying to go too fast also has risks.
In renovations, rushing things often ends up causing problems later.
How long does it take to renovate an apartment in Palma de Mallorca?
If we focus on Palma, the times are usually quite similar, but with some nuances.
For example:
- Greater number of older homes
- More administrative procedures
- More complicated access in some areas
This may cause, in some cases, slightly longer deadlines compared to other areas of the island.
Is it possible to live in the property during the renovation?
In complete renovations, the norm is not.
Beyond the noise and dust, there are times when the house has nothing:
- Water
- Electricity
- Working bathroom
Therefore, the most common thing is to look for a temporary solution during those months.
Mistakes that lengthen a renovation (and that can be avoided)
There are certain errors that directly affect the deadlines:
- Not defining the project properly from the beginning
- Constantly changing decisions
- Choosing suppliers without coordination
- Not anticipating license periods
Avoiding these points helps a lot in keeping times under control.
Frequently asked questions about how long a renovation takes in Mallorca
How long does a complete home renovation take?
Between 2 and 6 months in most cases.
Which phase takes the longest?
Normally the masonry and the finishes.
Is it possible to do a renovation in less than 2 months?
In small homes and simple projects, yes. But it's not the norm.
Do licenses affect the total time?
Yes, quite a lot. Especially in municipalities like Palma.
What causes the most delays in a construction project?
Changes during execution and unforeseen events.
To conclude
A comprehensive reform in Mallorca It is not an immediate process, but neither does it have to drag on indefinitely.
When there is planning, coordination, and clear decisions from the beginning, deadlines are usually met quite well.
The key is to understand that a renovation is not just the construction work, but everything that happens before and during.
And the better prepared that process is, the smoother everything will be.
If you need to perform a reform in Mallorca, contact us. At Tecnic Project we have extensive experience fulfilling the dreams of families in Mallorca.
