How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take?

Many clients who are looking to remodel their kitchen have a date in mind in which they want it completed. If they are a landlord, the completion date might be a time that coincides with a new tenant moving in. For homeowners, it might be before the school season starts, before they have a baby, or before a major holiday, like Christmas, where they intend to accommodate a large group of people. If you have a specific date in mind you can plan backwards to narrow in on a start date, and this will also help your contractor understand your expectations.

So how long does a kitchen remodel take?

Whether you’re using the backwards planning method, or just looking to get a kitchen remodel done at any time, you should account for six to eight weeks of construction after the design stage has wrapped up. But keep in mind that the timeline for a kitchen remodel depends on a number of factors including the size of the kitchen and the complexity of the job.  There are also some external factors that can influence the renovation timeline:

• Depending on the remodel, permits may need to be obtained before work can begin. The building permit submission will require drawings and a floor plan layout. Overall, this process can easily take a couple months before a permit is obtained.
• If other tradespeople, such as electricians and cabinet makers, are needed for the remodel, you may have to account for their schedule as well
• A lot of materials need to be ordered, including flooring, lighting, countertops and more. They may be delivered in a timely manner, or sometimes, in the case of custom cabinetry, may take up to a few months to arrive.

Steps to a kitchen remodel

To ensure a stress-free kitchen renovation, here are the steps you should account for when planning your timeline:

1. Planning and design. For many people, this can be months or even years before they even consider a remodel. Regardless of how long you plan, the more details you work out before construction begins the more likely it is that you’ll enjoy your new space. Another important point to consider during the planning phase is the fact that your current kitchen will be unusable during the renovation process.  Planning for a temporary kitchen setup in your basement or other location may be needed if you do not plan to eat take-out food the entire time.

2. Order materials. Now that planning is complete it’s time to order all the pieces that will bring your vision to life. The timeline for receiving these materials varies greatly on stock quantity and location. Custom materials may take longer as well.

3. It’s demolition time! This stage involves removing the existing kitchen and inspecting everything that is now exposed. If everything looks good, the remodeling can begin. If modifications or repairs are needed, talk to your contractor to see how long this could potentially take and account for it in your timeline.

4. Electrical wiring. This is when the electrical crew will arrive and install an upgraded electrical system (i.e. new outlets, lighting, etc.) in your kitchen if required.

5. Mechanical installation. New plumbing, HVAC and any new features like built-in speakers will be installed.

6. The ‘bones’ of the remodel are installed. Insulation, drywall, and flooring are completed at this stage.

7. Cabinet and countertop installation. This is when the new kitchen really starts to take shape, and clients get excited when they get a glimpse of the final product.

8. The finishing touches. Next comes the installation of sinks, faucets, backsplash, lighting fixtures, and trim. Finally, the kitchen will be painted to your desired colour(s).

9. Clean up. Your kitchen remodel is now complete! The crew cleans up their work space, and will do any small touch-ups.

A key component of sticking to a timeline is clear communication between the client and remodeling company. From the early stages of design to the final light bulb installation, clear lines of communication reduce the chances of misunderstandings and allows the remodeler to meet and exceed expectations. So, be sure to establish who your main point of contact will be, and how communication will take place, whether through email, text, or phone calls.

Are you planning a kitchen renovation and want to discuss your timeline? Get in touch with us today to get the conversation started!

When clients are looking to renovate their older home, they typically want to add modern conveniences while maintaining the look and charm of the original architecture. However, one of the challenges you may encounter while renovating is that there may be issues that reveal themselves only after construction begins. Here are some of things you should look out for if you’re planning to remodel your older home.

Potential plumbing issues

Not every older house has a surprise waiting around the corner, but the most common issue involves problems with the plumbing system. If your home was built before the 1960’s, it’s possible that galvanized pipes were used both within the house, and in the main sewer line. The issue with galvanized pipe is that it corrodes over time and clogs easier than more modern materials such as  PVC or copper. And if you have beautiful, large trees in your yard, the sewer lines will also have to be checked to ensure roots haven’t blocked the lines.

Is the electrical up to code?

Old electrical wiring can be a safety hazard. Since older homes weren’t equipped to handle multiple TVs, new appliances, computers, and entertainment systems, they can be easily overloaded and potentially start a fire. Many older homes don’t even have outlets in the bathrooms to accommodate styling products, so those will need to be added. Or, if outlets already exist, they may only be 2-prong rather than 3-prong, which have a ground wire to prevent electric shocks. Also note that if the previous owner has updated their old electrical system to a 200 amp service, this should be thoroughly inspected before remodeling begins to ensure it is up to current code.

Is there asbestos or lead?

Asbestos was used in Canada until the late 70s in popcorn ceilings, insulation, siding, and more. Lead paint was also used until it was banned in 1978. While asbestos and lead don’t cause any harm if left undisturbed, both need to be properly contained and remediated prior to undertaking any remodeling project.

Quality of previous renovations

Previously improvements may look well done, but it’s difficult to know the true quality of craftsmanship until remodeling starts. In general, the more times a home has changed hands, the more likely it is that any previous remodels didn’t comply with construction codes, weren’t done professionally, or didn’t work with the original design of the house. While major issues aren’t always found, you should consider a contingency budget in the event that further repairs will be needed.

Accommodating for modern conveniences

If you’re remodeling an old home, it may well be the case that you’re looking for modern features and floorplans. For example, older homes didn’t always have space for a dishwasher, washer, and dryer. In many older homes, you won’t find  an ensuite bathroom or a walk in closet in the master bedroom. And floor plans from over 40 years ago were much more compartmentalized than today’s open floor designs.

With outdated layouts, it can be tricky to expand or rearrange a space. That’s not to say older homes can’t have structural elements changed or removed, but taking out a load bearing wall can be expensive and create a domino effect of “if we remove this, than that feature will need to also be changed”.

Updating an old home can be incredibly rewarding when you see the final product – a mix of original elements with new features. However, before you spend time and money on a remodel, you should first consider the potential issues an older home may have. It may be slightly more expensive than a “typical” remodel, but at least you’ll get the updated, compliant, and functional space you’ve been dreaming of!