How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take?

A kitchen remodel is not just something that you decide to do on a whim – it  takes intensive planning and execution. While a shiny new kitchen is a  wonderful gift that anyone would be happy to receive, it is getting to that point  can be stressful and challenging. The timeline of a kitchen remodel can vary  depending on the size and the extent of the renovations. On average, a full  remodel can take up to 4-6 months, as long as everything goes according to plan  and there are no unexpected delays or mishaps. By adhering to the steps in this  guide, the outcome of your kitchen renovations will be beyond all expectations  and wrapped up in no time at all.  

Stage 1: The Planning Stage  

The planning stage is the first and most important stage of your kitchen remodel  and has no specific time frame. Determine the total amount you can afford to  spend on the remodel, break down the costs, and reserve up to 20 percent of  your total budget for unanticipated costs. 

∙ Find a Contractor: This process involves requesting referrals, examining  their credentials, interviewing potential candidates, and ensuring that the  contractor is available during your designated timeline.  

∙ Devise a Budget: Determine the total amount you can afford to spend on the  remodel, break down the costs, and reserve up to 20 percent of your total  budget for unanticipated costs. 

∙ Consult a Kitchen Designer: A kitchen designer can assist you in  determining what the best ways are to turn your suggestions into a realistic  design that is both attractive and practical. By taking into account your  budget, needs, and ideas, your kitchen designer will draft and amend a  design plan until it fits your vision.  

∙ Procure Samples: Order samples early on, it will give you more time to  consider your options before you make your final choice. Retailers offer  samples from everything from cabinet hardware to flooring and often at a  small cost or the option to reimburse at purchase. 

∙ Submit Building Permit Applications: If you plan on making structural  changes to your kitchen, such as breaking down on a wall or building a  pantry, then you need to ensure that your contractor has applied for  permission from the municipality to do so. Applications must be made well  advanced as it can take months for permits to be issued for complex projects.  

Stage 2: The Designing Stage (1-4 weeks) 

∙ Initial Design (1-3 days): Brainstorm design ideas for your kitchen. Create a  mood board of images that inspire the vision that you have for the space – this could be anything from integrated sinks to marble countertops and  crown moldings. While it is important to let your creativity run wild at this  stage; you must also be realistic in terms of what can be achieved in terms of  budget and functionality requirements. 

∙ Finalize Design (1-4 weeks): At this point, the final design plans must be  approved.  

Stage 3: The Ordering Stage (1-2 months) 

It can take months and months to find the appropriate fixtures for your kitchen  at the best possible prices. Delay demolishing your kitchen until all your  shipments have been fulfilled.  

∙ Buy Appliances: Order your appliances first because their dimensions will  determine what the measurements are for your cabinets.  

∙ Buy Cabinets: Depending on whether your cabinets are custom, semi custom, or stock, they will be subject to differential lead times.  

∙ Buy Hardware and Fixtures: Kitchen countertops, flooring, and lighting, etc. can be purchased next. Their delivery times will differ according to  whether it is a custom order or the products are ready to ship.  

∙ Examine and House Purchases: Demarcate a designated storage area – like  the garage or similar cool and dry space. Go through each product and  ensure that there are no defects or inaccuracies. 

∙ Pack Your Kitchen: Take out the items you use daily – these will go to your  makeshift kitchen. Store the rest of your kitchen equipment in clearly  marked boxes and containers and get rid of the items that you no longer  need.  

∙ Set up a Temporary Kitchen: Before the demolition, you need to construct a  temporary kitchen area that you can use while the renovations are taking  place. This can range anywhere from a bar fridge and a hot plate to an open  fire grill.  

Stage 3: Demolition Stage (1-6 weeks) 

Any demolition or alterations to the structure and utilities of the kitchen, such  as the removal of an interior wall or a change in the location of the fridge, occur  during this stage. 

Kitchen Demolishment (1 week): Before the demolishment of your kitchen  takes place, ensure that all utilities have been turned off.  

Alterations to the Structure (2-4 weeks): Now is the time to add a window if  you would like to increase the natural light in your kitchen, or construct a  pantry for extra storage space.  

Laying out Electrical, Plumbing, and Manufacturing Lines (3-5 days): Rough-in construction must be done before inserting the flooring and drywall.  

Drywall Hanging and Painting (1 week): Install the drywall and prep the  surface before applying primer and paint.  

Floor Installation (2-3 days): Depending on the type of flooring it can either be fitted prior to the installation of the kitchen cabinets (e.g., tiles and solid wood) or post-cabinet installation (e.g., laminates and vinyl).  

Phase 4: Complete Construction (1-2 months) 

The final phase of the construction process involves installing appliances,  kitchen cabinets, countertops, fixtures, and hardware.  

∙ Kitchen Cabinet Installation (3-5 days): Install the new or refurbished  kitchen cabinets. 

∙ Take the measurements of, construct, and insert kitchen countertops (2-4  weeks): Take the measurements for the kitchen countertops only after  installing the cabinets. The countertops can then be manufactured, with the  timeframe for completion contingent on the nature of the material. Finally,  installation can occur.  

∙ Fixture and Appliance Installation (1-5 days): Lighting is installed after  countertops are added. Appliance and plumbing fixtures can also be installed  at this time. Use caution moving heavy appliances so they do not ding or  scratch new flooring and cabinets. 

∙ Hardware and Finishing Touches (1-2 weeks): This includes leveling and  shimming appliances, retouching paint, and installing crown molding.  

∙ Insert Backsplash (2-3 days): Depending on the intricacy of the design,  installing a backsplash can take two days at the minimum and a maximum of  three days.  

∙ Construction Site Clearance (1-2 days): Clean and clear out the renovation  site, which includes wiping clean the kitchen cabinets and removing refuge  from the premises.  

When a kitchen has been designed to perfection, you can breathe a sigh of relief  once your renovations are complete. Nelson Cabinetry’s FREE kitchen design  service sets the stage for a seamless kitchen remodel. Visit  www.nelsonkb.com today to submit your request for a design that will  knock your socks off.

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Nelson Cabinetry

Nelson Cabinetry is an online distributor of high quality kitchen and bathroom cabinetry. We pride ourselves in delivering a high quality product via an easy to use, convenient website. Placing your cabinet order has never been easier and you can do so from the comfort of your home, office or job site.

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