We hear it all the time: “I didn’t think remodeling would be this complicated.”
And we get it. TV shows make it look like you can plan a dream kitchen in one afternoon and build it in a week. But here in St. Louis—where permitting rules are strict, older homes hide surprises behind every wall, and material lead times can fluctuate—you need a clear roadmap.
At Morganco, we help homeowners understand the full scope of a remodel before we ever swing a hammer. Here’s what every homeowner should expect when it comes to permits, timelines, and budgets—and how to avoid the most common frustrations.
Permits in St. Louis: What You’re Required to Have
In most St. Louis city and county municipalities, permits are required for anything beyond cosmetic upgrades. That includes electrical changes, plumbing reroutes, HVAC updates, structural work, and most kitchen remodels or basement finishes.
It’s not just a formality. Permit inspections ensure your project meets safety codes—especially critical in older homes where wiring, framing, or plumbing may no longer be up to standard.
Failing to get proper permits can lead to:
Delays from stop-work orders
Trouble during home resale
Costly rework if something fails inspection
Insurance claims being denied if something goes wrong
Overlooking important safety risks that could become dangerous
Timelines for permit approvals vary based on where you live. Some suburbs issue permits within a few days; others may take two to three weeks. Remodel timelines should factor this in from the beginning.
Realistic Timelines for a Remodel in St. Louis
The timeline for a remodel depends on scope, access, material availability, and whether you’re living in the home during the process. Here are typical durations:
Bathroom remodel: 4–6 weeks
Kitchen remodel: 6–10 weeks
Basement finishing: 8–12 weeks
Whole-home or multi-room remodels: 12–20+ weeks
These estimates don’t include design and planning, which can take several weeks depending on how quickly decisions are made.
Delays are most often caused by:
Design changes after work begins
Long lead times for custom materials
Hidden issues inside walls (outdated wiring, structural fixes, water intrusion)
Weather, especially for additions or exterior work
What keeps a timeline realistic is solid planning before demolition starts. That includes locking in selections, securing permits, and lining up trades before anyone walks through the door with tools.
Budgeting Smart: What Remodels Actually Cost
Sticker shock is common in remodeling, especially for first-time homeowners. It’s easy to underestimate the cost when comparing quotes or watching renovation shows that skip over labor, permitting, and prep work.
Most remodels include these core costs:
Demolition and disposal
Framing and structural adjustments
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC
Insulation and drywall
Finishes (cabinets, flooring, tile, paint)
Permit and inspection fees
Project management or supervision
Giving a generic pricing range is hard because jobs can vary widely. But for the sake of expectations and clarity, we’ll provide info on what we commonly see. For a full kitchen remodel in St. Louis, costs typically start around $60K–$90K depending on materials and layout changes. A finished basement might range from $50K–$100K, depending on features like bathrooms, bars, or egress windows.
Again, this can vary widely depending on square footage, quality of your selected materials, and unforeseen issues… and adding a 10–20% contingency is smart—especially in older homes. Once walls are opened up, it’s common to discover issues that must be brought up to code. If that cushion isn’t built into the budget from day one, you’re more likely to face difficult decisions mid-project.
READ: How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement in Missouri?
What Causes Budget Creep (and How to Prevent It)
Most cost overruns don’t come from one big mistake—they creep in from a series of small changes:
Swapping materials after framing has started
Adding features that weren’t in the original scope
Underestimating structural work or code upgrades
Using vague allowances that don’t match actual product costs
The more decisions you finalize before construction begins, the fewer surprises you'll run into. Having a full scope of work in writing—with material selections and specifications listed in detail—will help avoid change orders that throw your budget off course.
Home remodels aren’t just about style—they’re about preparation. Getting familiar with local permitting rules, having a realistic understanding of timelines, and building a budget that leaves room for the unexpected are the best ways to keep your project on track.
The more clearly you define the scope, the less likely you’ll be caught off guard. And the earlier you get into the details—before demo, not after—the smoother the process will be.
READ: 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Design-Build Firm in St. Louis
At Morganco Design Build, we take pride in our pre-work. We spend hours preparing the initial quote and design, ensuring everything is covered and pricing is confirmed.
This has helped us avoid the pricing changes and scheduling delays that commonly plague the remodeling industry. Our perfect 5-star rating on Google speaks for itself.
Reach out to us by clicking the button below if you are considering a home remodel, want it done right the first time, and want to remove the stress, uncertainty, and headache that can often accompany it.