How Long Does a Custom Kitchen Remodel Take? Timeline Guide

After choosing your cabinets, picking your countertops, and sorting out the budget, there’s one more question every homeowner wants answered: “How long is this going to take?”

The honest answer is that it depends on the scope of work, but a custom kitchen remodel typically takes 3 to 6 months from the start of planning to the moment you cook your first meal in the new space. Some of that time is active construction, but a significant chunk is spent on planning, design, ordering, and waiting for materials to arrive.

Understanding the timeline in advance helps you set realistic expectations, plan around the disruption, and make decisions at the right time so delays don’t stack up.

The Full Timeline at a Glance

Phase	Duration	What Happens
Planning & Design	3 to 8 weeks	Design finalized, materials selected, quotes gathered
Ordering & Fabrication	6 to 12 weeks	Cabinets built, countertops templated and fabricated, materials ordered
Demolition	2 to 5 days	Old cabinets, counters, flooring, and fixtures removed
Rough-In Work	1 to 2 weeks	Plumbing, electrical, and structural changes behind walls
Drywall & Prep	3 to 5 days	Walls patched or replaced, surfaces prepped for cabinets
Cabinet Installation	3 to 7 days	Upper and lower cabinets mounted, leveled, and secured
Countertop Installation	1 to 3 days (plus 1-2 week template-to-install gap)	Counters templated after cabinets are in, then fabricated and installed
Backsplash, Flooring, Paint	1 to 2 weeks	Tile work, floor installation, painting
Final Connections & Punch List	3 to 7 days	Plumbing and electrical hookups, appliances installed, touch-ups, inspection

Let’s walk through each phase in detail.

Phase 1: Planning and Design (3 to 8 Weeks)

This is arguably the most important phase of the entire project, and it’s the one homeowners are most tempted to rush. Resist that temptation. Decisions made during planning directly affect every dollar spent and every day of construction that follows.

During this phase, you’ll:

• Define the scope of your remodel (cosmetic refresh, full renovation, or layout change)
• Set a realistic budget, including contingency (our budget breakdown guide helps with this)
• Work with a designer or cabinet maker on the layout and design
• Select cabinet style, wood species, finish, hardware, countertop material, appliances, and flooring
• Get detailed quotes from contractors and cabinet makers
• Apply for permits if needed
• Arrange financing if applicable (see our financing options guide)

If you’re working with a custom cabinet maker, this phase includes detailed measurements of your kitchen and potentially multiple design revisions before the plans are finalized. Take the time to get it right. Changes are free during the design phase but expensive once materials are ordered or construction has started.

If you haven’t yet found a cabinet maker, our directory can help you locate qualified businesses in your area.

Phase 2: Ordering and Fabrication (6 to 12 Weeks)

Once the design is finalized and you’ve signed the contract, the longest waiting period begins. Custom cabinets are built to order, and the fabrication process takes time.

Most custom cabinet shops quote a lead time of 6 to 10 weeks under normal conditions. During peak season (spring and summer, when renovations surge), lead times can stretch to 12 weeks or more. Some specialty materials or finishes add additional time.

This waiting period is not wasted time, though. Smart homeowners use it to:

• Order appliances (which may also have extended lead times)
• Finalize countertop material selections
• Choose lighting fixtures, faucets, and hardware
• Set up a temporary kitchen in another room
• Confirm the start date with the contractor and trades

One critical sequencing note: stone countertops (granite, quartz, marble) cannot be templated until the cabinets are physically installed. The countertop fabricator needs to measure from the actual installed cabinets to ensure a precise fit. This means there will be a gap between cabinet installation and countertop installation of about 1 to 2 weeks while the countertops are being cut and polished.

Phase 3: Demolition (2 to 5 Days)

Demolition day is when the project gets real. Your old cabinets, countertops, backsplash, and sometimes flooring come out. Depending on the scope, this might also involve removing a wall, pulling up subfloor, or disconnecting gas lines.

Demolition is relatively fast but messy. Expect dust, noise, and a temporary loss of your kitchen sink and cooking facilities. Most homeowners set up a temporary kitchen before this phase begins: a folding table with a microwave, electric kettle, and mini fridge in the dining room or garage goes a long way.

This is also when surprises tend to surface. Water damage behind old cabinets, outdated wiring that doesn’t meet code, plumbing that needs rerouting, or subfloor damage from a slow leak. These discoveries are the primary reason every remodel budget should include a 10 to 20 percent contingency.

Phase 4: Rough-In Work (1 to 2 Weeks)

If your remodel involves any changes to plumbing locations, electrical circuits, lighting layout, or structural elements (like removing or modifying a wall), this work happens now, while the walls are open.

Typical rough-in work includes:

• Moving water supply and drain lines for a relocated sink or dishwasher
• Running new electrical circuits for added outlets, under-cabinet lighting, or a high-draw appliance like an induction cooktop
• Installing or relocating recessed light cans
• Adding or moving gas lines for a gas range
• Installing structural headers if a wall has been removed

Once rough-in work is complete, it needs to pass inspection before walls can be closed up. In some municipalities, this inspection is required by code. In others, your contractor will arrange it as best practice. Either way, factor in a day or two for the inspector to schedule their visit.

Phase 5: Drywall and Prep (3 to 5 Days)

With the rough-in approved, walls are patched or replaced with new drywall. Joints are taped, mudded, and sanded smooth. This process involves multiple coats with drying time between each, so it takes a few days even though the actual labor is minimal.

If you’re adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls (recommended, since the old paint will show marks where cabinets used to be), the first coat often goes on during this phase. The final coat typically waits until after cabinets are installed, since installation can scuff freshly painted surfaces.

Phase 6: Cabinet Installation (3 to 7 Days)

This is the most exciting part of the project for most homeowners, because the kitchen suddenly starts to look like a kitchen again.

A skilled installation crew typically begins with the upper (wall) cabinets, working from a reference line to ensure everything is level and plumb. Lower (base) cabinets come next, shimmed and adjusted to account for any unevenness in the floor. Crown molding, trim pieces, filler strips, and decorative end panels are installed last.

For a mid-size kitchen, professional installation usually takes 3 to 5 working days. Larger or more complex kitchens with features like a built-in pantry, appliance garages, or furniture-style island cabinets may take up to a week.

Quality installation requires patience and precision. Rushing this phase leads to cabinets that are slightly off-level, doors that don’t close properly, and visible gaps that will bother you for years. A good installer takes the time to get every detail right.

Phase 7: Countertop Installation (1 to 3 Days, Plus Waiting)

Once the base cabinets are in place and secured, the countertop fabricator comes to template. They’ll use physical templates or a digital laser measurement system to capture the exact dimensions, including cutouts for sinks and cooktops, edge details, and seam placement.

After templating, the fabricator returns to their shop to cut and polish the countertops. This takes 1 to 2 weeks for most stone materials. When the countertops are ready, installation itself is relatively quick: usually a single day for a standard kitchen, possibly two for larger or more complex layouts.

After stone counters are installed, there’s typically a 24-hour cure time for the adhesive before the sink and faucet can be connected.

Phase 8: Backsplash, Flooring, and Paint (1 to 2 Weeks)

With cabinets and countertops in place, the finish work begins. This phase involves:

• Backsplash tile installation: 1 to 3 days of tile setting, plus a day for grouting and sealing.
• Flooring installation: 1 to 3 days, depending on the material. If flooring goes under the cabinets (some designs do this, some don’t), it may have been installed earlier in the process.
• Final paint touch-ups: Usually a half day to a full day.

These tasks can sometimes overlap or run in parallel if the space allows, especially in larger kitchens where tile and flooring crews can work in different zones simultaneously.

Phase 9: Final Connections and Punch List (3 to 7 Days)

The home stretch. During this final phase:

• The plumber connects the sink, faucet, garbage disposal, and dishwasher
• The electrician makes final connections for appliances, under-cabinet lighting, and any remaining fixtures
• Appliances are delivered, positioned, and tested
• Hardware (knobs, pulls) is installed on all cabinet doors and drawers
• A final walk-through with the contractor identifies any remaining touch-ups (the “punch list”)
• Final inspection is scheduled and completed

The punch list walk-through is your opportunity to flag anything that isn’t quite right: a drawer that sticks, a gap in the crown molding, a paint drip on the trim, a cabinet door that doesn’t align perfectly. Good contractors expect this step and take it seriously.

What Causes Delays (and How to Avoid Them)

Even well-planned projects can hit bumps. Here are the most common sources of delay and what you can do about them:

Material backorders. A specific finish, hardware piece, or countertop slab that’s out of stock can stall the entire project. To minimize this risk, confirm availability of all materials before placing orders, and consider having a backup option for items with long or uncertain lead times.

Permit delays. In busy municipalities, permit approval can take weeks. Apply early, and ask your contractor to handle this before demolition is scheduled to begin.

Hidden problems during demolition. Water damage, mold, outdated wiring, and structural issues only reveal themselves once walls are opened. Your contingency budget exists for this reason. Having a plan (and the financial cushion) to deal with surprises keeps the project moving instead of grinding to a halt.

Change orders. Deciding to change the layout, swap a material, or add a feature mid-project is the single most common cause of delays and cost overruns. Make your decisions during the planning phase and stick to them.

Trade scheduling conflicts. Your project requires plumbers, electricians, tile setters, and painters to show up in a specific sequence. If one trade is delayed, it can push back everything that follows. A good general contractor manages this choreography, which is one of the main reasons their fee is worth paying.

Tips for Surviving the Renovation

Set up your temporary kitchen before demolition day. You’ll want a microwave, a portable cooktop or electric skillet, a mini fridge, a coffee maker, and some basic supplies. Having a functional food prep area makes the disruption far more manageable.

Communicate regularly with your contractor. A weekly check-in (or more frequent during active construction) keeps everyone aligned on the schedule and allows small issues to be addressed before they become big ones.

Expect some mess and inconvenience. Dust finds its way into surprising places. Noise is part of the process. Sealing off the kitchen from the rest of the house with plastic sheeting helps enormously.

Keep a written record. Photograph the progress regularly and keep notes on any conversations about changes or decisions. This documentation protects both you and the contractor if questions arise later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a kitchen remodel be done in 2 weeks?

A minor cosmetic update (painting existing cabinets, replacing hardware, swapping a faucet) can sometimes be done in 1 to 2 weeks. But a renovation that involves new cabinets, countertops, and any plumbing or electrical changes will take at least 4 to 6 weeks of active construction, plus the lead time for ordering materials beforehand.

Should I live in the house during the remodel?

Most homeowners do, especially for projects under 8 weeks. It’s disruptive but manageable with a temporary kitchen setup. For major renovations that involve structural work, removing walls, or affecting other rooms, some homeowners choose to stay with family or rent temporarily. The decision comes down to your tolerance for disruption and the scope of work.

What’s the best time of year to start a kitchen remodel?

Late summer through early fall is often ideal. You’ll catch cabinet shops and contractors in a slightly less hectic period than the spring rush, materials are generally available, and you’ll likely finish before the holiday season. Starting in early winter is another good window, especially if you want to take advantage of slower-season pricing.

Why do custom cabinets take so long to build?

Custom cabinets are built individually to your exact specifications. Each piece requires precise cutting, milling, assembly, sanding, and finishing by hand or with specialized equipment. The finish process alone (stain or paint, sealer coats, sanding between coats, final topcoat) can take 1 to 2 weeks. Multiply that across 20 to 40 individual cabinets, and the 6 to 12 week lead time starts to make sense.

What if my cabinets arrive damaged?

Inspect every cabinet carefully at delivery, before the installer begins. Photograph any damage and report it to the cabinet maker immediately. Most reputable shops will replace damaged pieces at no charge, but this may add 2 to 4 weeks to your timeline for the replacement to be fabricated. Some installers will proceed with undamaged cabinets and swap in replacements later to keep the project moving.

Last Updated: February 2026