How Long Does It Take To
Remodel A Kitchen?
No one wakes up one morning and says “let’s remodel our kitchen!”, if you’re like most people they’ve been thinking about it for years but haven’t started yet because of one of two factors: time and money.
And since you’ve probably never remodeled a kitchen before or have a background in construction you don’t have any direct experience with kitchen remodeling which is why the question how long does it take to remodel a kitchen inevitably comes up.
For a custom kitchen it will take any where between 4-6 months to design and install your new kitchen. Generally speaking stock cabinets can provide a significantly shorted timeframe but you’ll also experience a significant drop in quality.
Naturally there are a number of factors that go into why it takes months rather than weeks for a custom kitchen remodel. Our goal with this article is to provide you with the knowledge and understanding so you can walk into a kitchen design showroom armed with information and realistic expectations.
We want you to achieve the vision for your new kitchen without unwanted surprises.
How long does it take to remodel a kitchen?
You probably have family or friends who have had their kitchens remodeled, and some of them have probably shared their experiences; some of them have probably even shared their horror stories and the months-long inconvenience of a gutted kitchen under construction or hastily constructed kitchens filled with problems.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of contractors who are either not as competent as you might hope or are not upfront about the kitchen remodel timeline. There are many steps involved in the kitchen remodel process, from design to installation. Below, we present the various steps involved in the kitchen remodel timeline:
How Long Does it Take to Remodel A Kitchen: Design Time
The design phase of the project starts with the designer getting to know the client, their priorities, hopes and dreams for their new space, and their biggest fears. Designers generally have a couple of meetings prior to being able to present the initial design which might be spread out over the course of a couple of weeks.
We typically have a meeting in our showroom where you can touch, feel and see examples of different styles, colors, and textures. We’ll discuss the layout, your appliances and your style. We may even be able to make a few early decisions. We also will have a meeting in your home with the primary goal to measure your space.
For projects that have involved multiple areas like a kitchen, laundry room, outdoor kitchen, bar area, or bathrooms, there might be 10 or more meetings to discuss each element of scope.
After the initial design presentation how long it takes is usually up to the client. Some clients know exactly what they want and there are only a couple of minor revisions and others need a lot of time to consider options and there are several rounds of revisions.
On average, our projects usually go through 3-5 revisions before they are finalized.
There should be, however, no pressure for you to make a decision before you’re ready. It is your kitchen after all and it’s a huge investment of both time and money. Don’t let designers push you to make a decision that you know in your gut is the wrong one.
As for the actual time for the design phase of the project, it could take as little as a month to as long as a year, but most people are able to finalize their design in about 8 weeks.
While it’s difficult to provide an exact projection for the duration of the kitchen design process, this is the stage where you have the most control over how fast the process proceeds.
At Signature Kitchens, we always try to work as fast or a slowly as the client wants, but we do have commitments to other clients and we always try to balance that.
How Long Does It Take To Remodel A Kitchen: Manufacturing Timeline
Since you are in the market for a high-end, custom kitchen, you should expect lead times for ordering and manufacturing cabinets and fixtures to be roughly 7-10 weeks, though in some instances it can be up to 12 weeks.
Lead times vary by manufacturer and can change based on the total volume of orders they receive each week.
It’s worth bearing in mind that as the quality level increases the manufacturing time increases as well. Lower quality stock cabinets, with pre-made components in standard sizes and limited door styles and colors, can’t accommodate any customizations. Because of how few options there are they’re able to be mass-produced which results in lower lead times.
Also because of the lack of customization, you’ll also find that lower-end cabinets have more fillers and might not even be sized to fit into your space. If you are looking for quality, custom-made cabinetry, then it will be worth your wait.
How Long Does It Take To Remodel A Kitchen: Installation Process
The design has been finalized, the cabinets manufactured and now we’re ready to install. This step in the process will be dictated by the size of your kitchen, though other factors like the level of detail and how the level of ornateness will increase the time needed.
There are two basic types of installers: the craftsman and the production crew. The production crew’s main objective is to get the kitchen installed as quickly as possible to move onto the next project whereas the craftsman is exactly that – an artist.
Demolition & Set up usually takes about a week. Demolition can take anywhere from 1-3 days. When that is complete and all pre-existing cabinets and fixtures have been removed, our crews will prep your home from a protection standpoint.
We receive the new cabinets and begin the unwrapping and inspection and start laying the base cabinets. This process can take 2-3 days.
Once the base cabinets are set, the countertop fabricator will come in to create a temple of the project. They make templates only off of in place cabinetry because inches matter and from time to time what is on the plans may not exactly be what is on the floor when installed as adjustments sometimes need to be made.
Countertops will take anywhere from 2-3 weeks for fabrication and installation.
In the last phase of installation, the decorative hardware is installed, appliances are installed and final adjustments and tweaks are made. These small details take the longest, but they’re what separates the good from the great.
This final phase can take a couple of days up to two weeks depending on how much is happening (i.e. kitchen, outdoor kitchen, bathrooms, bar, laundry room, etc.)
In the end, the phrase “haste makes waste” is paramount. Although there are some contractors who claim to be able to install kitchens within a week, if you’ve ordered high-quality cabinetry and appliances, then you want to make sure that you invest the time to make sure everything is installed perfectly.
We pay our crews hourly versus per project, so that they are invested in the craftsmanship of the project and attend to every detail without rushing to get the project done as soon as possible.
Ultimately, the overall installation process will take between 4-6 weeks, this is mostly driven by the countertops but it is a real number for custom kitchens. Don’t worry though, because we invest in every detail to make sure that you’re getting the kitchen remodel you deserve!
How Long Does It Take To Remodel A Kitchen: Summary
We hope that you have an answer to the question how long does it take to remodel a kitchen and an understanding of the intricacies to remodel a kitchen timeline, as well as the kitchen remodel process.
Having an understanding of what components, people, and parts are involved helps you to know how long does it take to remodel a kitchen.
It also helps you to make the best decisions possible and helps us to ensure that we are creating the kitchen that you want. Knowledge is power, so now that you know what to expect, it’s time to get started on your own remodeling journey.
If you’re looking for a high-end kitchen remodeler in the Orlando area, please stop by or contact us so that we can help you craft a quality kitchen.
