We’re often asked, “how long does a kitchen remodel take?” 

And we know, if you hit google once or even twice with this question — you’ll get just about every vague + uncontextualized timetable under the moon. From 3-4 weeks, 8-12 weeks, 4+ months but the answer you most often get when you ask a professional is “it depends.” 

While not completely inaccurate — the timeframe for a kitchen remodel does actually depend on a lot. But, “it depends” all by itself still isn’t a very helpful answer. #WompWomp

So, what’s the better answer? 

Well, a better approach is… “it depends on the amount of work being completed, the timeframe for procurement of materials, as well as contractor scheduling.”

With this version of “it depends…” there’s context to understanding why one kitchen might take a handful of weeks + another a handful of months.

Are you ready to mentally prepare yourself for how long a kitchen remodel really takes? Let’s dive in!

P.S. If you’re interested in What A Kitchen Remodel Costs; here’s a guide for you. These are based on actual kitchen remodel projects completed over the last decade in the Pacific Northwest. 

You can also check out more free resources in our free resource library)

Kitchen Remodel Schedule

We know that sometimes it can be difficult to see the forest through the trees. 

That’s why we really want to start off with a very, very, high-level kitchen remodel schedule. This way, you have some barometer for all that’s included.

Kitchen Assessment

At Elegant Simplicity, the functionality of your kitchen always precedes the aesthetics. Meaning we’re first interested in what everyday life looks like in your kitchen + then later at what style of kitchen makes most sense.

So we begin the onset of any design project with an assessment that really helps to clarify your needs + desires. 

What things should be emphasized in your kitchen from a functionality standpoint? And then from, a desirability standpoint, what things do you really like or want?

The assessment phase is a very important part of our design process + we spend a lot of time working with you to ensure before we begin designing, that we know exactly what you want + need.

Designing Your Kitchen

Psst. THIS is one of our favorite parts of course — because while functionality precedes aesthetics — how your kitchen looks certainly shouldn’t take a backseat  *wink* 

This is where your kitchen remodel, really finds its footing + every detail your contractor will be creating comes from this curation phase. 

At each step, we’re really focused on pouring back into the assessment we’ve completed with you + driving our design choices from there.

Pre-Construction

The pre-construction or “pre-con” phase of your kitchen remodel is probably as a whole the biggest variable in “timeframe.” 

This is not only where permitting for the work that is being done is happening, final measurements are taken but also where the procurement of materials happens. 

To ensure there are no delays in the construction phase of your kitchen remodel project, it’s important to have all materials, fixtures, and finishes present at the beginning of the project.

So, in a nutshell, pre-construction becomes about procuring every detail. Things like appliances, cabinetry, hardware, finishes like countertops, flooring, tile as well as plumbing and electrical fixtures. 

And for obvious reasons, this can take time. From delays, backorders, and supply shortages to things as simple as shipping, freight, and transit time pre-construction is a big part of knowing how long a kitchen remodel takes.

The Actual Remodel Of Your Kitchen

The construction or transformation phase is where the “doing” of everything that was drawn up + specified in the curation phase of designing your kitchen happens.

And really friend, because the heart of how long does a kitchen remodel take is all about the construction phase the next section is a rough construction timeline to help with better context.

Construction Phases Of Your Kitchen Remodel

So… what’s the construction phase of your kitchen remodel look like? 

Onsite Preparation

Setting up zip walls, protecting floors, furniture, scheduling a portable restroom, arranging for dumpster + demolition haul, etc.

Demolition

Deconstructing the existing space.

Rough Clean 

Keeping a clean jobsite is a high priority. Typically, after demolition, a rough clean is done before any other work is completed.

Rough-In

The locations of your existing plumbing, gas, and electrical fixtures may be changing so this is the stage where plumbing, gas, and electrical is roughed into their new location. 

Drywall Installation 

After plumbing + electrical is moved we can now move onto drywall repair.

Flooring + Millwork Installation

This is everything from flooring to windows to cabinetry and millwork.

Painting

Any + all painting necessary is complete.

Hardscape Installation

Including sinks, countertops, backsplashes, lighting, etc.

Touch Ups + Final Clean 

Finishing touch-ups and a deep clean are the final steps of your kitchen remodel.

Softscapes Installation

THIS is where your designer, hello, hello, installs those jaw-dropping accessories + pulls the space all together. Without it, your kitchen is a bunch of hardscape materials which, while certainly beautiful, leaves the space underwhelming… and we don’t want that *wink*.

Why How Long It Takes To Remodel Your Kitchen Is Irrelevant

Let me first say, that if you’re working with professionals who deliver on their promise then in the grand scheme of things — how long it takes to remodel your kitchen is completely irrelevant. 

Yep, you read that correctly + if you disagree. I get it. But as an interior designer, I know + I understand the importance of timeliness so I’m by no means giving an excuse to not set or not meet deadlines. 

What I’m actually talking about is taking a moment, before you begin, to consider what is most important to you. 

Aligning Your Expectation Based Upon Your Priorities

Are your priorities, that your kitchen is done as fast as humanly possible? Or is it that your kitchen has truly custom details to you? 

Are your priorities that it’s done faster than any other contractor + you’ll compare timeframes with other subcontractors? Or is it that the contractor took the necessary time to ensure every detail was absolutely perfect? 

Are your priorities that it simply looks good… enough? Or is it that each material you selected for your kitchen was right for your family regardless of the time it took to procure or install it for your kitchen remodel?

Being really clear at the onset about what you want + what your priorities are is incredibly important because great design takes time, great craftsmanship takes time. 

That’s why time is irrelevant — it’s not an excuse or a laissez-faire approach to kitchen remodeling — it’s about knowing the best kitchen for you takes time.

How Long Does A Kitchen Remodel Take

With time being irrelevant we can actually talk “timeframes” *wink*

In our experience, a kitchen remodel (meaning the actual construction phase of your kitchen remodel) is determined by the size of your kitchen (sf) + the scope of work being remodeled. 

The scope is decided in the design or curation phase of your kitchen.

However, typically based upon our experience over the last decade, a kitchen remodel takes between 8-12 weeks to complete. Now, if there’s a larger scope than what is confined to the walls of your kitchen you can expect a bit longer than that.

Again, that’s the construction phase.

What You Can Do To Make Living Through A Kitchen Remodel A Little Easier

When there are multiple kitchens in your home or a guest house with a small kitchen then a kitchen remodel isn’t as invasive to your everyday routine. 

However, when that’s not the case, there’s no doubt that a kitchen remodel is a significant disruption to how your family lives each day. They don’t call it the heart of the home for nothin’ *wink*

So, what are some things you can do or potentially have done to help make a kitchen renovation a little easier on you + your family?

Set Up A Disposable Plate + Cutlery Station

This will make it a heck of a lot easier to clean up after meals when you can toss them into the trash or compost. Consider everything from utensils + plates to napkins + food storage.

Create A Snack Station

Beyond meals, you’re undoubtedly going to want to eat over the next several weeks *wink* so setting up a quick place where all your snacks will live as well as a couple premade snacks for your kids to grab easily.

Plan Meals Ahead

This may sound simple but it’s really a peace of mind thing knowing when you’ll eat out or when you’ll grab take out + when you’ll use the small electric countertop appliances you’ve pulled aside to cook a quick meal.

Well, by this point you should no longer be wondering how long does a kitchen remodel take :)

And if you loved this blog post then without question, you’re absolutely going to go nuts for our FREE video course: 4-Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home

Also, don’t forget to check out our amazing Free Resource Library or if you’re looking to start your kitchen remodel, request a FREE 30-minute Clarity Call and… let’s chat!