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!