When planning a kitchen renovation, one of the first thoughts that runs through homeowners’ minds is how long the renovation is going to take. Renovating a kitchen can take anywhere between 3 weeks and 4 months, depending on the complexity, size, and scope of the project. Here is a breakdown of the factors that may affect your kitchen renovation timeline.
What Determines How Long It Takes to Renovate a Kitchen?
The timelines for kitchen renovations vary due to several factors. Simple renovations that don’t involve plumbing, custom cabinetry, and a change of layout can take a few weeks. But if you are relocating the kitchen, installing custom cabinetry, or dealing with permits and building approvals, the timeline shoots to several months.
The budget also plays a role. A basic renovation can cost $15,000 to $35,000. Mid-tier renovations will run $35,000 to $75,000, while high-end renovations will cost more than $100,000.
The Pre-Construction Phase: Where Time Really Adds Up
Pre-demolition, there is a lot of work that has to be done. This can take 1-3 months and includes finding a contractor, securing permits, and ordering materials.
Start by posting your project details and scheduling site visits with at least three contractors. After you pick your contractor and sign a contract, the permit process begins.
Permit and approval timelines vary widely:
- Stand-alone homes: City permits may take 2-4 weeks.
- Condos and co-ops: Building board approvals and city permits may take 2-8 weeks.
- Complex projects with plumbing or gas moves: This may take several months.
Pro tip: As soon as your design is finalized, order the materials. Custom cabinets, specialty appliances, and antique fixtures can take 8-16 weeks to arrive.
How Long Does the Construction Phase Take?
Once permits are secured and materials are staged, actual construction moves relatively quickly. Here’s the typical breakdown for how long it takes to renovate a kitchen during the building phase:
Demo and rough work (1-2 weeks):
- Demolition: 1-2 days
- Rerouting plumbing and electrical: 1-4 days
- City inspections and sign-offs: scheduled within this timeframe
Installation work (1-3 weeks):
- Flooring installation: 1-5 days
- Cabinet installation: 2-4 days
- Appliance installation: 1-2 days
- Countertops and backsplash: 2-4 days
- Hardware, fixtures, and finishing touches: 1-3 days
Pro tip from contractors: install flooring throughout the entire kitchen footprint, even under cabinets. If you reconfigure your layout later, you won’t need new flooring.
