Now that you’ve started kitchen renovations or are considering them and don’t know How Long Does A Kitchen Renovation Take, the answer is, it may take between two and fifteen weeks and sometimes more. However, certain factors impact the time period, such as your kitchen size, project scope, complexity, and labor and materials availability. Let’s briefly discuss how long your kitchen renovation takes, its factors, how to plan it, and how to minimize the timeline.
How Long Does A Kitchen Renovation Take In 2025?
The kitchen is one of the most important spaces in a house. Having a beautiful and functional kitchen can enhance your lifestyle and property value, too. However, due to various factors and potential issues, renovation and remodeling a kitchen can be complex and time-consuming. Minor and cosmetic updates can take a few days to weeks, while extensive projects may take several weeks to months.
However, you can even install a new kitchen in a week with a perfect plan, budget, material, and labor availability, and contingency for unexpected issues, if you have a small space. It’s also important to keep in mind which kitchen renovation type you are considering when asking about the kitchen renovation timeline.
1. Custom Kitchen Renovations
If you’re planning for a gut renovation like a complete kitchen remodeling, including electrical and plumbing systems, structural changes, custom designs, and some personal changes, it will take almost 8 to 15 weeks, depending on your project complexity and your kitchen size.
2. Replacement Kitchen Renovations
On the other hand, if you just want some simple kitchen replacements like replacing your existing appliances, features, and fixtures with new ones, without reconfiguring the layout, it will take roughly 3 to 8 weeks.
Where To Start For Kitchen Renovation?
Kitchen renovations might not come out as per your expected timeline, so it’s better to set realistic expectations and understand the timeframes involved in a remodel to avoid frustration. However, below is a complete kitchen renovation timeline that I applied.
1. Planning & Designing In Kitchen Renovation
A successful kitchen remodel starts with a detailed plan and budget. The planning and design phase is crucial as it involves making key decisions on your kitchen layout, cabinet style, appliances, rangehood, materials, and storage. So, take a longer period to ensure a beautiful, functional, and long-lasting kitchen.
The duration of this stage varies depending on your level of certainty, the complexity of your ideas, and the help you have. This phase took almost a week of my time. You can get help from some home renovation design software for your desired layout, or you can seek professional guidance can be beneficial if you’re unsure about your design. Also, make a clear budget and contingency plan for unexpected issues.
2. Permits & Demolition For Kitchen Remodeling
It’s better to secure permits and approvals just after planning your desired layout and before demolishing your existing kitchen. Acquiring permits can take 2 to 4 weeks, ensuring compliance with local building codes, and depending on the project’s scope.
In my case, it took two weeks to get such approvals, and after that, I started removing all the old appliances, cabinets, materials, and walls. This stage gave me a clear space ready for the new kitchen installation. I also stored some items for reuse. This complete phase took almost three weeks.
3. Construction During Kitchen Renovation
The construction phase includes framing, electrical and plumbing, countertops, cabinetry, flooring, painting, and hardware setup, resulting in 5 to 12 weeks of major work. Start by putting the cabinet frames in place. I ordered all the required items while demolishing the space to ensure the timely delivery of appliances and materials to avoid delays and extra expenses.
Make sure the plumber and electrician also step in to get the wires, pipes, and gas lines ready for the renovation. Also, ensure that any damaged areas or walls where tiles were removed are fixed and made neat. The construction stage results in dust and noise in your home. You’ll have to check if there are any unexpected issues like mold, asbestos, or structural problems, which can lead to extra time and cost. Luckily, I didn’t have such an issue, so I moved towards installing custom kitchen cabinets as per my desired design.
Now, take measurements for stone benchtops like marble or granite, and install them. Next, install flooring, splashbacks, tiles, and paint if needed. After that, connect your kitchen appliances to the electricity. The construction phase took almost 8 weeks.
4. Inspection & Completion Of Kitchen Renovations
After construction, the final step involves inspections and touch-ups. A thorough walkthrough with your contractor is crucial. So, inspect and test all aspects, including plumbing, electrical, cabinets, countertops, and appliances, to ensure everything functions properly and meets your expectations. This final phase of how long does a kitchen renovation take, almost 1 week to finish.
What Factors Cause Delay In Kitchen Renovation?
Despite careful planning, unexpected events and several factors can impact how long your kitchen remodel takes.
1. Multiple Contractors
Multiple contractors can impact project timelines. For example, if one contractor delays a word, it will result causing delays for others and potentially extend the overall project duration.
2. Project Size & Scope
A large project will take longer to finish, compared to a smaller one.
3. Lack Of Communication
Poor communication between multiple contractors, homeowners, and other workers also leads to errors, misunderstandings, and delays. Coordinating multiple professionals can also be tough, which may lead to delays in kitchen remodeling.
4. Material & Sourcing
Sometimes, we choose items that aren’t locally sourced or custom products like countertops, cabinets, or specific hardware items that are not available and have long lead times when placing the order. Sometimes, delays in material delivery can also directly impact the installation schedule.
Some materials, like wood or laminate, can be installed fast as compared to other materials, like quartz, granite, or marble. These items take a lot of time to install due to their complexity.
5. Permits & Approvals
Permits and approvals are mandatory for home renovation projects such as kitchen remodeling. Acquiring approvals may take from some days to several weeks, significantly impacting the kitchen remodeling timeline. It’s important to secure necessary permits before starting work.
6. Personal Matters
Timely decision-making and task completion are important if you don’t want delays in your project completion.
7. Unexpected Delays
Unexpected delays, such as structural issues, plumbing, and electrical work, like wiring issues, can also cause delays.
8. Budget
Unexpected issues, material upgrades, and design changes directly impact budgeting. It is important to plan carefully and include a contingency fund for these problems.
How To Avoid Delays In Kitchen Renovation?
To minimize delays in a kitchen renovation, always stay in regular touch with your designer and contractor. Prepare your home for the renovation to reduce potential issues. Try to finalize product and material choices early so they can be ordered quickly.
Once your chosen design is set, try to avoid making changes. It’s also important to give your team space to work and be available when needed. By following these guidelines and keeping communication open, you can help prevent delays and ensure a smoother renovation process.
Bottom Line
Plan carefully and be patient when renovating your kitchen to achieve your dream space on time. For those who are looking for how long does a kitchen renovation take, the answer is simple. It will take almost 3 to 16 weeks, depending on your project scope, size, complexity, permits, and the availability of labor and materials. If you have any queries, comment down and the experts at smartfixhome.com will be there for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Does A Typical Kitchen Renovation Take?
A typical kitchen renovation takes around 4 to 12 weeks, but the timeframe can vary. Small updates can take 1 to 4 weeks, while big renovations can take 2 to 6 months.
What Are The Main Phases Of A Kitchen Renovation And Their Durations?
The kitchen renovation has several steps. Planning and design takes 1 to 3 weeks, demolition takes 1 to 2 weeks, structural work and rough-ins takes 2 to 4 weeks, installation of cabinets, flooring, and appliances takes 3 to 8 weeks, and finishing touches like painting and backsplash installation takes 1 to 2 weeks.
What Factors Can Extend The Renovation Timeline?
Renovations can be slowed down by certain factors including, custom materials, structural changes, permit delays, contractor scheduling, and unexpected issues like old wiring. Knowing these potential delays can help you plan better.
Can A Kitchen Renovation Be Completed In Less Than A Month?
Yes, minor renovations like repainting, new countertops, or updated fixtures can typically be done in 1 to 4 weeks.
How Can I Ensure My Kitchen Renovation Stays On Schedule?
To keep your renovation on schedule, plan carefully, finalize your design and materials timely, hire experienced contractors, order materials in advance, and stay in touch with your contractor to address issues quickly.
