Kitchen Renovation Timeline: How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Really Take?

You're getting a new kitchen! When you think about how great your finished kitchen will look, you can't help but get excited. However, when you consider how long you could be living in a construction zone, your enthusiasm turns to dread.

How long does a kitchen remodel take, anyway? It depends entirely on the contractor that you use. At NDA Kitchens, we're committed to the 3 Week Kitchen Renovation. Other contractors take much longer.

No matter what contractor you use, it's a good idea to have a general understanding of the kitchen renovation timeline. The following step-by-step guide can help.

Step 1: Planning

Before you start in on the actual work of tearing out your old fixtures and putting in new ones, you must plan, plan, plan! If you go into a renovation without a solid plan, you're going to end a frustrated homeowner with a half-done kitchen.

Here are a few of the things to work on during the planning process:

  • Crafting a general idea: What do you want your new kitchen to look like? Dream big as you make a list of elements you'd love to include.
  • Setting a budget: Before you get too far into the process, you need to determine how much you can realistically afford to spend.
  • Meeting with a kitchen planner: After you've done some brainstorming on your own, invite a professional planner to help you craft a workable plan for your space. Some designers are associated with contractors, and others work independently.
  • Selecting a contractor: Compare at least three contractors before making a decision. Get an estimate from each, but don't make the decision based on price alone. Talk to recent references, and visit a current worksite if possible. (If you want to use an all-in-one planning and building firm, be sure to complete this step before settling on your kitchen designer.)
  • Shopping: When it comes to kitchen remodels, there's a lot to pick out. You'll need to decide on cabinets, countertops, hardware, appliances, paint colors and more. If you order custom-built items, it may be weeks before they're ready. It's a good idea to wait for them to come in before you start tearing up your kitchen.
  • Common Timeframe: How long this part takes is entirely up to you. Feel free to take your time. It's better to spend too much time planning than it is to rush into a remodel.

Step 2: Demolition

Before the new kitchen can be built, the old one must be taken apart. Most kitchen remodels will require taking out the previous countertops, cabinets, appliances and lighting fixtures. Even if you plan to reuse some items, such as trim materials, they should be removed temporarily so that they're out of the way during the work process.

It's a good idea to approach demolition methodically rather than simply tearing things apart. Careful work will help you keep kitchen components intact so they can be given new life. Old cabinets may be able to be repurposed or sold. You may be able to donate, sell or recycle old appliances.

Common Timeframe: Some contractors may take up to 2 weeks to demo a kitchen. At NDA Kitchens, we include the demolition process in our 3 Week Kitchen Renovation.

Step 3: Installation

Once the demo work is done, it's time to start transforming the space into your dream kitchen. Keep in mind that not all contractors will perform the steps of this kitchen renovation timeline in this exact order.

Construction

If you're enlarging your kitchen space, tearing out walls or doing other major construction work as part of your remodeling process, that job will probably get done first. Any new drywall will get hung pretty early in the remodeling process as well. Keep in mind that major construction work can add significant time to your remodel process.

Utilities

Since your kitchen is already torn apart, this is a good time to update your plumbing or electrical wiring. Plus, new wiring will allow you to relocate major appliances or add more outlets or light fixtures to your kitchen.

Cabinets

Before the countertops can be set in place, the cabinets must be installed. Wall cabinets go up before base cabinets. Putting in cabinets requires exact measurements and precise accuracy, so you'll want to make sure that you have the right contractor for the job.

New measurements may have to be taken after the cabinets are installed. There are some types of counters that shouldn't be cut until after the in-place cabinets are carefully measured.

Countertops

Once the cabinets are in place, it's time for the countertops. Some counter materials are formed on-site, but most arrive at your home pre-cut. After the counters set in place, they are bonded to the cabinets with a strong adhesive.

You can view part of the installation process in the video below:

Flooring

Some contractors install flooring early in the remodeling process and take measures to protect the new surface during the work. Other contractors save flooring until the majority of the work has been completed.

Appliances

Stoves, dishwashers and other major fixtures can usually be added after the cabinets are set up. Sinks and in-counter ranges may need to wait for the countertops to be installed.

Odds and Ends

There are a lot of finishing touches that go into getting your kitchen ready for use. These include:

  • Placing the backsplash.
  • Installing light fixtures.
  • Hanging towel bars and other accessories.
  • Painting the walls and trim. (Some contractors prefer to paint early in the remodeling process.)

Common Timeframe: Many contractors will take 5 weeks or more to complete just the installation phase of a remodel. At NDA Kitchens, we understand that you want to be in your finished kitchen sooner than that. That's why, once your materials are in, we commit to completing the project – from demolition to finishing touches – in three weeks' time.

Before your remodeling process begins, ask your contractor for the proposed timeline. At NDA Kitchens, we always begin a remodel by providing a detailed timeline so you know exactly what we'll be working on each day.

Some contractors take up to two months – or even longer – to fully remodel a kitchen, but NDA Kitchens knows how to produce quality results in significantly less time. Contact us to get started on a 3 Week Kitchen Renovation.

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