A kitchen remodel is a major investment. Whether you’re upgrading your appliances or changing the cabinets, it can cost thousands of dollars to complete the project. You may find yourself wondering, “How long does it take to complete a kitchen remodel?" The answer depends on what you want to do and how much time you're able to take off work. It’s important to have an idea of the timeline before starting for both your budget and scheduling needs. One way that can help is by breaking down the process into sections or phases so that it becomes more manageable. This guide will walk you through those phases and give you an idea of how long each phase should take based on your goals and desired outcome.
Planning Your Project
The first step to completing a kitchen remodel is to plan. You’ll want to get a general idea of the project and how much time it will take from start to finish. One way to do this is by breaking your project into phases or parts. This guide will walk you through the phases of a typical kitchen remodel and estimate how long each phase should take based on your goals and desired outcome.
Here are each of the phases broken down:
1) Planning Phase: This phase includes everything from measuring your kitchen, deciding what you’d like to do with the space, and getting an estimate for all materials, labor, and other costs. You might also decide not to remodel at all.
2) Demolition Phase: In this phase, you can remove old appliances, cabinets, countertops, etc., in order to prepare the space for new construction/installation.
3) Construction Phase: In this phase, you can install cabinets or countertops that you may have already purchased or built in the previous phase. You would also install appliances that you may have purchased or had installed in advance of this phase.
4) Finishing/Detailing Phase: Finally, in this final stage of your kitchen remodel project, you can seal up any unfinished surfaces with paint or varnish if needed. If you're updating your floors with new tiles or wood planks for example, this is when these pieces would be installed too.
Phase One (Design)
The first phase in the remodel process is the design phase. This will be your chance to think about what you want to do with your kitchen and how you want it to look.
This phase usually takes 1-3 weeks, but you can take as much time as needed for this phase. If you’re doing a major overhaul of your kitchen, then it may take around 2 months. This is also where you’ll get quotes from contractors, either in person or online, so be sure to start this process early on so that you can compare prices and make an informed decision before shopping for materials.
Phase Two (Demolition)
The second phase of the process is demolition. This phase consists of tearing out the old cabinets and appliances, insulating, installing new wiring and plumbing, and sprinkling in some insulation. Depending on the degree of work you want to do in this phase, it can take anywhere from three days to two weeks.
Phase Three (Construction)
Laying the floor
The first step is laying the floor. This process typically takes one to three days, depending on the materials.
Wiring and Plumbing
After your new floors are laid, you'll need to install wires and plumbing for your appliances. This process can take one day or more, depending on how complex your electrical system or plumbing is.
Installing Countertops
Countertops are installed last because they may be difficult to install once walls are up around them. The countertop installation process can take anywhere from one day to two weeks, depending on the material you choose and how complicated it is.
Phase Four (Finishes and Appliances)
This phase includes the final touches to your kitchen. Here are some of the tasks that need to be completed, along with how long they will take:
- Painting walls : 3 hours
- Painting trim : 1 hour
- Painting cabinets : 2 hours
- Installing backsplash tile : 2 hours
- Installing granite countertops : 2 hours
- Installing new appliances : 3 hours
The only task here that might take a little more time is installing new appliances. This phase can take up to three hours depending on what you’re installing and the difficulty of the installation. For example, if you have a gas stove, you may need to call in an electrician for help. Keep in mind that this is just one example of many tasks that could be included in this phase. Your project may include different tasks or require more or less time than these estimates suggest based on your specific needs. It’s important to have an idea of how much time it would take for each phase before starting so that you know what kind of timeline to expect and can plan accordingly.
Doing it Yourself vs Hiring a Professional Contractor
One important consideration is whether you should do the work yourself or hire a professional. Doing the work yourself may save time and money, but can also come with its own set of challenges. Possible challenges include not being familiar with the remodeling process, underestimating the amount of time and money needed to complete the project, and hiring unprofessional contractors. On the other hand, hiring a professional remodeler will speed up the process and make it easier. They will be able to provide guidance and fully manage your project from start to finish.
Conclusion
A kitchen remodel is a big project, but one that can pay dividends for years to come. You’ll want to make sure you have a good plan in place for how your project will be executed, and that you’re realistic about how long it will take. A good rule of thumb is to allow a minimum of six months for a full kitchen remodel. If you’re looking to do it yourself, plan on at least a year for a complete DIY kitchen remodel. If you’re looking to hire a professional contractor, it should take around three months to complete a kitchen remodel. And either way, don’t forget the cost of appliances and finishes!