If you are sitting in your St. Cloud or Brainerd home this February, looking out at the snow and dreaming of a total home refresh, you aren’t alone. This is the time of year when our phones start ringing with homeowners who are ready to finally tackle that big project.
After “How much will it cost?”, the most common question we get is: “How long is this actually going to take?”
It’s a great question. You want the beautiful results, but you also don’t want your home to be a construction zone for the entire summer. At Exterior Pro, we pride ourselves on being efficient without cutting corners. Here is a realistic full home renovation schedule and what you can expect for your exterior remodeling timeline this year.
Planning and Preparation (2–4 Weeks)
The work actually starts long before a trailer pulls into your driveway. This is the phase we are in right now!
- Consultation & Quote: We meet to discuss your vision, measure the property, and provide a transparent estimate.
- Material Selection: This is where you pick your shingle colors and siding profiles. Whether you choose Atlas Pinnacle Impact shingles or LP SmartSide siding, we have to ensure the materials are ordered and ready.
- Permitting: Every city from Little Falls to St. Cloud has different rules. We handle the paperwork, but it can take a week or two for the local building department to give us the green light.
The Roof Replacement (1–3 Days)
If your project includes a siding and roof replacement timeline, we almost always start with the roof. Why? Because roofing is “messy” work. We want the old shingles off and the new system installed before we put up your brand-new siding.
- Tear-off: We remove the old materials down to the wood deck.
- Installation: A professional crew can typically install a new roofing system in just 1 to 2 days for an average-sized home.
- Clean-up: We perform a meticulous sweep for nails and debris before moving to the next stage.
Siding and Windows (1–2 Weeks)
This is the most transformative part of the process, but it’s also the most time-consuming. Unlike roofing, which is a massive team effort on a single surface, siding and windows require detailed custom work around every corner, light fixture, and outlet.
- Window Installation: If you are replacing windows, we usually do this alongside the siding. This ensures the window flashing and the siding “j-channels” create a perfectly watertight seal.
- Siding Prep: We remove the old siding, inspect the sheathing for rot, and install high-quality house wrap.
- The Hang: Installing the siding itself takes precision. Depending on the size of your home and whether you choose vinyl or engineered wood, expect this to take 5 to 10 working days.
The Finishing Touches (1–2 Days)
Once the main “shell” is done, we focus on the details that make the project pop.
- Gutters: We install your custom-fit seamless gutters last to ensure they aren’t bumped or damaged during the siding process.
- Soffit & Fascia: These final trim pieces tie the roof and siding together.
- Final Walkthrough: We walk the property with you to ensure every mitered corner and seal meets the Exterior Pro standard.
Factors That Can Change Your Schedule
In Minnesota, weather is always a factor. We can’t install shingles in a downpour, and we can’t hang siding in 60-mph winds. If a storm rolls through St. Cloud, it might push the schedule back by a day or two.
The other factor is complexity. A simple ranch-style home goes much faster than a three-story Victorian with multiple gables and intricate trim work.
The February Advantage
If you want your full home renovation schedule to wrap up by the time graduation parties and lake season arrive, now is the time to book. Our spring and summer calendar fills up fast. By starting the planning process in February, you ensure that your materials are first in line and your home is at the top of the production list.
Ready to see your home’s transformation?
Request a Free Estimate and Project Timeline from Exterior Pro
Let’s get your project on the books so you can spend your summer enjoying your new exterior, not watching us build it!
- Serving: St. Cloud, Brainerd, Little Falls, and the surrounding Central MN area.
- Expertise: Efficient, high-quality full-exterior transformations.
- Call Us: 844-ASK-4PRO