A kitchen remodel is a big job, one that will temporarily disrupt your household’s routine. So it is understandable that most homeowners are anxious to get the project done quickly. What kind of timeline can you expect for your kitchen renovation? The amount of electrical and plumbing work will factor in heavily into how long it will take to complete your remodel, as will the type of cabinetry you choose.
Your cabinetry and contractor will often control the timeline
The kitchen remodel timeline generally works around your contractor’s schedule, but your kitchen designer will be able to tell you the estimated lead time based on your cabinet manufacturer.
Riverhead Building Supply’s JoAnn Lyles, CKD said that “Depending on the brand of cabinetry, your new custom kitchen could take up to 12 weeks from order date to completion. The actual construction phase may be just two or three weeks.” She said she usually recommends scheduling “the appliance delivery to coincide a day or two after the cabinetry delivery.”
Barry Gano, a Riverhead Building Supply kitchen designer, agreed. He said while “stock cabinets could take 2-3 weeks; custom cabinets can take from 8-12 weeks.” Countertops may be installed 2-3 weeks after cabinet delivery.
Plan on delays
Gano added that the most important thing a customer should understand when planning their kitchen remodel is that “there will be delays.”
As with any type of construction project, there may be some unforeseen obstacles that may disrupt the completion schedule. Some of the things that may impact your renovation timeline include:
- Weather conditions
- Items arrive damaged and need to be returned and exchanged
- Changes to original plans
- Products being out of stock and on back order
- Special order items
- Delays getting necessary permits
- Specialists such as plumbers or electricians being unavailable for a certain amount of time
Nelson Schneider, also a kitchen designer, said that “When a customer asks about the length of time for their project, I advise them that there are a lot of variables that go into that answer,” including “what is being replaced, what is being reused, etc.”
Some factors that can help your kitchen renovation go more quickly include:
- Proper planning with a kitchen designer
- Using stock cabinets
- Getting all the necessary permits as soon as possible
- Adhering to the original plans – avoid making changes during the construction phase
The kitchen renovation process can seem overwhelming but it is important that every element is completed correctly to exact specifications, even if that means stretching out the timeline a bit. In the long run, the inconvenience and disruption will be worth it. JoAnn Lyles, CKD said, “Your kitchen is an investment in your home and quality of life. Plan to set up a temporary kitchen if you have to be there during the renovation. A microwave, paper plates, and grilled dinners will get you through.”