A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Planning Your Closet Renovation Timeline
- Josh Klein
- Jan 21
- 5 min read
You open your closet first thing in the morning… And something inside you sighs.
Not the peaceful, spa-retreat kind of sigh. More like the deep, exhausted kind you let out when the universe places one more mismatched hanger, rogue shoe, or mystery sweater avalanche in your path.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. We at Closet & Cabinet Experts talk to homeowners across Coastal Georgia and the Low Country every week, and the story is almost always the same: “I want a better closet… I just don’t know how long this whole renovation thing takes.”
Totally valid. A closet renovation isn’t scary—unless you don’t know the plan.
And that’s where a clear closet renovation timeline becomes your best friend.
It takes all the guesswork out. It reduces stress. It makes you feel like you’re steering the ship instead of clinging to the railing in a storm of decision-fatigue.
Why Having a Closet Renovation Timeline Matters More Than You Think
A closet renovation has a lot of moving parts, even when it’s done by experienced pros.
Materials, finishes, designs, schedules, installers, measurements, approvals — and that’s before we even build anything.
And without a solid timeline? It sure can feel overwhelming.
A clear timeline:
Reduces stress
Sets expectations
Keeps your project on track
Helps you plan around your life
Prevents last-minute surprises
Makes the whole process feel smooth
And because we’ve installed more than 30,000 storage systems across our coastal communities, we can confidently walk you through what’s realistic for a Savannah-area project. Not just a generic estimate from someone who’s never set foot in Chatham County.
Phase 1: The Design Consultation (Your Starting Line)
Usually 2–7 days from first contact
This is where the magic begins—and where your stress usually melts away.
You book your FREE in-home consultation. (Yes, really. Free. Everything is free until you approve the design.) Then we show up—friendly, on time, and ready to listen.
During your consultation, we’ll look at:
How you use your current space
What’s working (rare, but it happens!)
What’s not working
Your lifestyle and routines
Your wish list and must-haves
Any awkward corners, weird angles, or “builder-basic mysteries” in your closet
Most people start the appointment nervous and end it excited.
Time estimate: We’ll measure and chat for about 45–60 minutes.Then we take everything back to the studio and create your custom CAD design in 1–3 days.
Phase 2: Designing Your Dream Closet (1–5 days)
This is where your vision turns into a real, clickable, zoomable, tweakable design!
We’ll show you:
Layout options
Finish samples
Hardware choices
Accessory recommendations
What fits where — down to the inch
A pricing proposal for fabrication + installation
But here’s the part most homeowners love: You can revise the design as much as you want before approving it.
Like trying on outfits for your closet before it even exists.
You want more drawers? Done.
Shoe walls? We love those!
A hidden hamper so laundry stops staging a rebellion? Easy.
A second round of changes because you’ve just imagined a better layout? Absolutely.
We’ll adjust until your design is exactly right. No pressure, no rush.
Time estimate: 1–2 days for the initial design + 1–3 days for revisions (if needed)
Phase 3: Material Selection (Same week as design approval)
Now, once your layout is finalized, we confirm:
Wood finishes
Door and drawer styles
Hardware colors
Rod finishes
Trim details
Accessories (tie racks, jewelry trays, valet rods, the whole satisfying lineup)
This step doesn’t take long—because by now, you’ll already have a good feel for what you want. But of course, it’s a crucial part of the closet renovation planning process because finishes influence fabrication.
Time estimate: Same day to 2 days, depending on how decisive you’re feeling (no judgment—we’ve seen the whole spectrum).
Phase 4: Fabrication — Where Your Closet Gets Crafted (3–6 weeks)
Here’s where we’re different from most companies you’ll find online.
We don’t outsource. We don’t ship parts from unknown places. We don’t rely on anyone else’s timeline.
We build everything locally, right here in our own workshop, with American materials and a team of skilled craftspeople who’ve been with us for years.
Every shelf. Every panel. Every drawer. Every custom feature that makes your closet feel like it was always meant to be part of your home.
Time estimate for Savannah-area projects: 3–6 weeks, depending on:
Materials selected
Size of the project
Custom add-ons
Current production queue
We’re fast—but we never rush quality.
Phase 5: Installation Scheduling (1–2 weeks)
Once your closet system is built, we’ll reach out to schedule installation.
We work around your life, not the other way around.
School pickup? Work-from-home video calls? Guests coming into town? We’ve scheduled around it all!
Our installation slots in Coastal Georgia and the Low Country typically book 1–2 weeks ahead.
If you want a specific week—for example, before hosting family —let us know early. We’ll then map your closet remodel timeline around your plans.
Phase 6: Installation Day (1–3 days for most projects)
The fun part!
Here’s what you can expect:
A punctual, courteous installer
Protective floor coverings
Careful removal of your old system (if needed)
Precision installation of your new closet
Zero mess left behind
Thoughtful walkthrough of your new storage features
A closet so gorgeous you may hesitate to put clothes back in
Smaller closets = 1 day
Walk-in closets = 1–2 days
Luxury or multi-room projects = up to 3 days
We’ve seen homeowners take pictures, hug their installer, and even call a friend on FaceTime for a live reveal.
Phase 7: Final Review + Adjustments (Same day or within the week)
After installation, we do a final check:
Doors aligned
Drawers gliding smoothly
Rods perfectly level
Accessories working easily
Need an extra adjustment or want to add anything later? We’re right here. We’ve been serving this community since 1984—we’re totally not going anywhere.
And yes: Your custom closet comes with a warranty for as long as you own your home.
Now, that’s the perk of working with local experts, not a franchise.
Your Closet Renovation Timeline — A Clear Breakdown
Here’s your birds-eye view of the average closet renovation timeline for homeowners in Coastal Georgia and the Low Country:
Phase | Timeframe |
Consultation | 2–7 days |
Design + Revisions | 2–5 days |
Material Selection | 1–2 days |
Fabrication | 3–6 weeks |
Scheduling Installation | 1–2 weeks |
Installation | 1–3 days |
Final Review | Same day or within the week |
Realistically? Most of our Savannah-area clients go from first phone call to finished closet in 5–8 weeks.
How to Plan a Closet Renovation Without the Stress
Here’s what we see all the time:
A homeowner is SO excited to finally renovate their closet… And then three things derail them:
They don’t know the right steps
They don’t know how long anything takes
They’re scared of making the wrong decision
So here are our top closet remodel planning tips for staying calm and confident:
1. Start with a clear wishlist — even if it’s messy.
Just brain-dump. We’ll help sort it!
2. Take pictures of closets you like.
Screenshots and Pinterest boards are absolutely welcome.
3. Give yourself a little wiggle room.
Delays are rare, but custom work deserves breathing space.
4. Don’t rush material choices.
You’ll look at this closet every day. Let it feel right.
5. Ask questions.
There are no silly ones. We talk about closets for a living. We love this stuff!
The Real Secret to a Smooth Renovation: Good Project Management
We’ve been doing this for over 40 years, and here’s the truth: A closet renovation is only stressful when you’re left in the dark.
That’s why we:
Keep you updated
Give you accurate timelines
Build everything in-house
Communicate clearly
Handle the details
Show up like good neighbors
When the process is well-managed, you get to enjoy the fun parts—designing, dreaming, choosing finishes—without the chaos.
REQUEST A FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION
Your closet doesn’t need to stay cluttered, cramped, or chaotic. Not when there’s a clear, easy, friendly timeline waiting for you.
And a local team that’s been designing custom closets for your neighbors since 1984.
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