Construction planning tool
Project timeline estimator
Week ranges for each phase of a commercial fit-out in Ontario — design, permits, procurement, construction and closeout — adjusted for size, scope, delivery model and overnight work.
Brief to opening
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Bars show each phase's typical position; orange is construction. Planning ranges, not a schedule commitment.
Prefer to talk it through? Book a call with our team.
The planning ranges behind it
| Phase | Range used | Adjusted for |
|---|---|---|
| Brief and site survey | 1–2 weeks | — |
| Design and drawings | 2–4 weeks (refresh), 3–8 weeks (full) | Larger projects add 2–4 weeks |
| Tender and award | 2–4 weeks | General contracting only, runs alongside the permit |
| Building permit | 3–6 weeks (to 600 m²), 4–8 weeks (larger) | Based on Ontario's 15 / 20 business-day review periods plus resubmission time |
| Long-lead procurement | 1–2 / 4–8 / 8–16 weeks | Ordered mid-design on design-build and CM, at award on GC; only delays the job if it arrives after it's needed |
| Construction | 3–6 weeks (under 2,500 sq ft) up to 12–24 weeks (over 25,000) | Refresh scope × 0.6; overnight work × 1.4 |
| Closeout | 1–2 weeks | — |
The phase ranges are MARLICON planning allowances; the permit ranges start from the Ontario Building Code's prescribed review periods for complete applications. More detail: how long a retail fit-out takes.
FAQ
About this estimator.
Why is design-build faster in the estimator?
Because long-lead items can be ordered during design and there's no separate tender before construction. General contracting adds a tender and award period and orders equipment later.
Why does overnight work make the timeline longer?
Overnight shifts are shorter and include setup and clean-up so the store can open each morning. The estimator applies a 1.4 multiplier to construction time for overnight work.
Is the timeline estimator free?
Yes. The calculator is free and runs in your browser. To email or download the PDF report, we ask for your email address.
Need an opening date you can plan around?
Send the site and the scope. We'll come back with a real schedule.