How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take?

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If you google how long it takes to complete a kitchen renovation, you'll be starting at various different estimations from two weeks to two months to even as has high as 6 months. 

Depending on the design you're going far, the amount of things you're changing, the size of your space an how much money you can spend on the project, estimations vary from 10 days to four to six months!

There's no definite answer, but we can help you make some estimations!

Here we'll be looking at how long does it take for a kitchen remodeling for the average size kitchen in the US, as well as various guesses depending on the size of your space and the style of design. The kind of renovation being made is also important. If you are planning on replacing countertops without replacing cabinets, that will take much less time to renovate. You can also check out our best home improvement trends perfect for you.

Let's get to it!

Timeline For How Long a New Kitchen Takes to Install

The average US kitchen takes approximately 6-8 weeks to renovate, assuming that you work with a reliable contractor that has plenty of experience with construction, installation, and plumbing and electrical renovation.

If you're going DIY or you're using a cheaper, less experienced contractor, you can expect the timeframe of the kitchen remodeling project to be much longer.

Here are some general estimations for the timeline to expect:

  • The average US kitchen renovation takes 6-8 weeks
  • Larger or more complex kitchen remodels may take anywhere from 10-12 weeks
  • Full, large kitchen remodeling projects will take longer, often between 3-5 months in total

The kitchen is a very complex part of your home – it requires extensive electrical wiring, plumbing, and appliances, sometimes involves a complex architecture design process as well as durable flooring, cabinets, countertops and much more.

The more of these design aspects you want to change, the more your kitchen renovation project will be dragged out and delayed, so you'll have to find alternative food and cooking arrangements for longer remodels.

It can be stressful!

Make sure you're prepared for a kitchen renovation – there's a whole episode of the TV show American Dad that revolves around the strain put on a family while having their kitchen remodeled!

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Image credit: Kitchen Infinity Photo

Why do kitchen remodels take so long?

Kitchen remodels take so long because there's a lot of things that need to change in a short amount of time. Most other rooms in your house have quite basic requirements – they need heating, electricity, and four walls. Their timeline is fast and predictable.

This is not the same with a kitchen.

Your kitchen needs heating, electrical wiring, extensive plumbing, a strong cabinet set, durable flooring, suitable countertops, all the built-in appliances (ovens, microwaves etc.) and it needs to be designed so that the space can be used easily.

Before you can even begin the process, you need to prepare and demolish your old kitchen. This is especially complicated if you're changing the layout of sinks and ovens, requiring the electrics and plumbing system to be totally reworked to make sense with the new project design.

As such, the time frame of a kitchen installation is much longer and subject to unexpected changes!

kitchen remodel
Image credit: Kitchen Infinity Photo

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

Cabinets

Generally speaking, the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel is the cabinets, coming it at somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000 for the average US kitchen design.

The bigger your kitchen cabinetry and the more customized your want the cabinets, the more money and time that it will take up.

When planning your cabinets, consider the material and the finish you're going for. Expensive woods and fittings will jack up the price, as well as advanced shelving and customized storage options like lazy susans and adjustable shelves.

If you are looking for ideas, you can check modern kitchen cabinets Fairfield CT on our site.

If you want to save money on cabinets, consider prefabricated cabients (“prefab cabinets”) that come in ready-to-go designs. This can help you to save a lot of money!

Countertops

After cabinetry, counters are usually the next most expensive part of a kitchen remodel.

Countertops go through a lot of stress in their life, whether it's from hot oil, spilled liquids, knife cuts, or heat from hot pans. Different counters have different pros and cons to consider, though most homeowners agree that granite countertops are the best in terms of look and practicality.

If you're looking at granite counters for your home, expect to pay somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000.

This price can be reduced by looking into alternative materials such as Corian, Quartz, Marble, and more.

In what order do you remodel a kitchen?

Whether it's 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or 6 months, most kitchen remodel projects are completed in the same (or similar) order following an industry-standard process that makes the most logical sense.

For reference, you can check kitchen remodeling in CT on our blog.

This timeline varies from contractor to contractor slightly, but kitchen remodeling usually occurs in these 10 steps:

The 10 steps to a new kitchen (timeline)

  1. The Planning and Design Phase – You work with an interior designer (or contractor) to get the new kitchen design completed before construction begins. You solidify the schedule and everything you want from the project.
  2. Tear-Out and Demolition – Once the design is set in stone, work begins on demolishing the existing kitchen. Depending on the amount of changes you're making to the existing look and floor plan, you may have to demolish more or less.
  3. Framing, Pipes, and Wiring – The skeleton of the kitchen is installed, with all the pipes and wires in the walls that make sure your home receives water, gas, and electricity.
  4. Professional Inspection Phase – Before construction on the project can continue, it's really essential to get everything checked by the relevant health and safety inspectors. This process can take a while and is rarely all done in a day – different inspectors have their own schedule to work to.
  5. Finish the Walls – Once the inspectors have given the all clear, the team can start to cover over the walls, hiding all the piping and wiring that has been approved.
  6. Install Windows and Doors – This step is when windows and doors would start to be installed in the new kitchen. If you're keeping the same layout as before, then this will be quick. However, if you've got a new floor plan for the final look that requires new windows and doors, then it could be time consuming.
  7. Install New Flooring – This is one step that varies from contractor to contractor in terms of where it's placed on the timeline, but many construction teams believe to floor should be installed around this point. This is especially true if you've got a very durable hardwood or tile floor that can withstand the ongoing construction process.
  8. Cabinet, Faucets, and Plumbing Fixtures Phase – This is the step when the kitchen starts to actually look like a kitchen. Key furniture is installed, including the kitchen cabinetry, sinks, faucets, counters, islands, and the other large sections of the space that really start to complete the final look.
  9. Install Appliances – Now it's time for the final appliances to come in. This includes ovens, microwaves, fridges, and any other goods included in the remodel plan.
  10. Voila! – Your new kitchen is complete! The contractors may put on some finishing touches, check their punch list, and generally make sure that the design renovation is up to your standards before signing off on the project.

Enjoy your new kitchen remodel!

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Image credit: Kitchen Infinity Photo

The Bottom Line

The step by step process of kitchen remodeling may take a long time, going anywhere from a few days to half of one year depending on what you've got planned for installation.

The process can be stressful and time consuming, but it's essential to remember that Rome wasn't built in a day, and the installation will be complete in due course.

If you are looking for house remodel app, kitchen remodeling in CT or modern kitchen cabinets Fairfield CT , you can check our site too.

Good luck with your kitchen remodel!

Dino Paccino

Dino Paccino

Dino is a lifelong writer and home improvement specialist. He enjoys bringing cutting-edge information on home renovation and remodeling to Kitchen Infinity.

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