How Long Does It Take to Renovate a Kitchen?

There’s a reason home remodeling programs are so popular — you get to watch the total transformation of a ho-hum room into a dream space in the time it takes to eat your lunch. The renovation magic happens in minutes and presto: everything old, ugly, and outdated becomes new, modern, and beautiful in a matter of minutes.

But home remodeling shows only give you a glimpse of the remodeling process — usually the most pleasing parts. They don’t show the planning, preparation, and hard work that goes into a successful kitchen renovation, and they certainly don’t spend time showing material, labor, or weather delays. The reality of home renovation projects is often far more complex and time-consuming than what is portrayed on TV, with timelines varying greatly based on the scope of the project.

Everyone wants a kitchen that’s equal parts timeless and on trend; one that speaks to their personal tastes and offers full functionality without missing a beat on any level. When people turn to Hogan Design & Construction to help them create the kitchen of their dreams through our comprehensive design-build process, they usually have three main questions:

“Can you give us a kitchen that hits all the right notes?”

“How much does kitchen remodeling cost in the Chicago area, and how much can I expect to spend on my kitchen remodel?”

“How long does a kitchen remodel take?”

While the answer to the first question is affirmatively easy, the last two questions can each have a wide range of answers depending on the scope and finish level of the project. With that in mind, let’s explore the typical timeframe for an average kitchen renovation.

Understanding the Kitchen Remodel Timeline

A kitchen remodel timeline is a crucial aspect of the renovation process. It helps homeowners plan and prepare for the project, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Understanding the typical kitchen renovation timeline can also help homeowners set realistic expectations and make informed decisions about their project. By having a clear timeline, you can better coordinate with contractors, manage your budget, and minimize disruptions to your daily life.

Typical Kitchen Renovation Timeline

The typical kitchen renovation timeline can vary depending on the scope of the project, materials, and permits required. Before I jump into the details, here is a general outline of what to expect:

Planning and design phase: This initial phase usually takes at least 2-4 weeks but could take several months. During this time, you’ll work with your design-build team to finalize the layout, select materials, and create detailed plans for your new kitchen.
Permitting and approvals: Securing the necessary permits and approvals can take another 2-4 weeks. This step is crucial to ensure that your kitchen remodel complies with local building codes and regulations.
Demolition and removal: Once permits are in place, the demolition and removal phase can begin. This typically takes 1-2 weeks, depending on the extent of the work required.
Construction and installation: The bulk of the work happens during this phase, which can last anywhere from 8-12 weeks. This includes framing, electrical and plumbing work, installing new cabinetry, countertops, and flooring, and finally, adding finishing touches like paint and hardware.
Final inspections and completion: The last step involves final inspections and any necessary touch-ups. This can take an additional 2-4 weeks to ensure everything is up to code and meets your expectations.

Overall, a typical kitchen renovation can take anywhere from 12 to 24 weeks to complete, depending on the complexity and scope of the project.

Getting Your Kitchen Renovation on the Calendar

The first step in any home renovation process is doing the necessary legwork of officially getting it on the calendar. This involves creating a detailed construction schedule, which is crucial for planning and scheduling the kitchen renovation process. A well-structured construction schedule includes design meetings, selecting materials, and coordinating with contractors, ensuring that every phase of the renovation is meticulously planned and executed.

Exploratory process

From getting an initial list of referrals for reputable contractors to setting up your first meeting with a design-build firm and choosing the right team for your kitchen remodel project, the initial introduction and exploratory process can take anywhere from a few short weeks or up to 3 months, depending on the scope of your kitchen renovation, your desired timeframe, and contractor availability and fit.

Discovery phase

Once you've hired the right team for your job, your kitchen remodel moves into the discovery phase: You know how your space needs to perform, now it's time to discuss what it will look like. During this phase, you define what you want for your new kitchen — you talk, and your contractor listens and learns.

Design phase

From there, you move through the design phase, which encompasses all the design and development work required for your kitchen renovation, including architectural development, design planning, as well as civil and estimating work, as needed.

kitchen-floor-plan-drawing-with-center-island-cabinets-and-sink-and-dining-space

Careful Planning for Your Build

Upon completion of your design plans, an estimator meets with subcontractors to establish a fixed price for your project. During this phase, the scope of work is finalized and detailed out, and the construction contract is presented and signed.

Then, your production manager takes 2-8 weeks to finalize construction plans (ordering materials and scheduling subcontractors), submit for permits, determine a start date, and detail your project schedule with step-by-step timeframes and deadlines. Proper planning and scheduling are crucial, especially for kitchen remodels, as timelines can vary significantly based on the project's scope, complexity, and size.

Factors That Affect the Kitchen Remodel Timeline

Several factors can affect the kitchen remodel timeline, including the scope of the project, materials and sourcing, and permits and approvals. Understanding these factors can help you better plan and prepare for your kitchen remodel, ensuring a smoother and more efficient renovation process.

Scope of the Project

The scope of the project is one of the most significant factors that can impact the kitchen remodel timeline. A minor remodel that involves updating the existing layout and materials may take less time to complete than a major remodel that requires significant changes to the layout, electrical, and plumbing systems. For instance, a simple update with new countertops and appliances might be completed in a few weeks, while a complete kitchen remodel involving structural changes could take several months.

Materials and Sourcing

The availability of materials and sourcing can also impact the kitchen remodel timeline. If materials are not readily available or need to be special-ordered, it can delay the project. Additionally, if materials are not sourced locally, it can take longer to receive them, which can also impact the timeline. For example, custom cabinetry or imported stone countertops might have longer lead times compared to standard options, so it’s essential to factor this into your planning.

Permits and Approvals

Permits and approvals are a critical aspect of the kitchen remodel timeline. Depending on the scope of the project, homeowners may need to obtain permits from local authorities before commencing work. The permitting process can take several weeks, and delays can occur if the permits are not approved on time. Ensuring that all necessary permits are secured before starting the project can help avoid unexpected delays and keep your kitchen remodel on track.

By understanding the typical kitchen renovation timeline and the factors that can impact it, homeowners can plan and prepare for their project, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Careful planning and coordination with your design-build team can help you achieve your dream kitchen within a realistic timeframe.

How Long Does it Take to Remodel an Entire Kitchen? Understanding the Kitchen Renovation Timeline

When most people ask “How long will it take to renovate my whole kitchen?” what they really want to know is “How long will I have to make dinner out of a temporary kitchen?”

Joking aside, the average homeowner mostly wants to know how long the physical work of their kitchen renovation will take — from the first day of demolition to the final walk-through.

Average timeframe for a full kitchen renovation

While it depends on the scope and finish level of your project, the construction to completion phase of the average full kitchen renovation typically takes between 6-8 weeks from start to finish.

Possible timeframe for a full kitchen renovation

The actual timeframe depends on project complexity, size, and scope. Some kitchens may take as little as 4 weeks to finish, while others take 12 weeks or even longer.

For example, if you aren’t altering the footprint of your kitchen, changing or adding electrical or plumbing, or choosing custom cabinetry and appliances, it’s reasonable to expect that your renovation will be done in a few weeks.

Replacing appliances can also extend the duration of the renovation, especially when combined with reconfiguring the kitchen layout or making structural changes.

If, however, you’re moving your kitchen from one part of your home to another, doing a full gut kitchen renovation, opting for eco-friendly kitchen design, using imported stone for your countertops, building a new kitchen island, and going with custom cabinets — your renovation could take several months.

Side Note: Do you install floor or kitchen cabinets first?

In any total kitchen renovation, flooring goes down first so the cabinets can sit on top of the flooring. This eliminates the need for shoe molding around the bottom of the the cabinets to cover any gaps that might lie between the bottom of baseboard and the floor.

How Long Does it Take to Remodel an Entire Kitchen?

When most people ask “How long will it take to renovate my whole kitchen?” what they really want to know is “How long will I have to make dinner out of a temporary kitchen?”

Joking aside, the average homeowner mostly wants to know how long the physical work of their kitchen renovation will take — from the first day of demolition to the final walk-through.

Average timeframe for a full kitchen renovation

While it depends on the scope and finish level of your project, the construction to completion phase of the average full kitchen renovation typically takes between 6-8 weeks from start to finish.

Possible timeframe for a full kitchen renovation

The actual timeframe depends on project complexity, size, and scope. Some kitchens may take as little as 4 weeks to finish, while others take 12 weeks or even longer.

Do you install floor or kitchen cabinets first?

Get Started with Our Comprehensive Pricing Guides

At HDC, we believe that open communication and accurate, comprehensive information are key to the success of every renovation project. Our pricing guides can help you understand what to expect when you begin conversations surrounding your upcoming renovation project:

Our guides offer price ranges based on current Chicagoland area building and remodeling cost estimates, as well as our own 20+ years of experience within the industry.

We serve kitchen remodeling and home renovation clients in northern Illinois (including the far western Chicago suburbs of Hinsdale, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Geneva, St. Charles, and Batavia) as well as southern Wisconsin (Lake Geneva, Lakes Delavan, Fontana, and Genoa City).

If you’re ready to take the first step toward your dream kitchen, give us a call or fill out our easy online contact form today. We’re ready to help you make your dream space a reality. If you are in need of inspiration, be sure to check out our kitchen remodeling portfolio.

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