How Long Does a Full Kitchen Remodel Take?

A full kitchen remodel typically takes 12 to 20 weeks from initial design through final installation, depending on scope, material lead times, and whether structural changes are involved. A cosmetic refresh (cabinets, counters, finishes — no layout changes) can move faster, often 8 to 12 weeks. A full renovation involving a new layout, moved plumbing or electrical, and custom cabinetry tends to land at the longer end, sometimes 4 to 6 months.

Here's exactly where that time goes, phase by phase.

Kitchen Remodel Timeline: Phase-by-Phase Breakdown

1. Design & planning (2–4 weeks). Layout, material selections, and a full design concept. This is also when a designer coordinates with your contractor on feasibility.

2. Procurement & lead times (6–12 weeks). This is the phase most homeowners underestimate. Custom cabinetry alone can run 8–12 weeks; countertops, tile, and specialty fixtures each carry their own lead times and often run concurrently.

3. Demolition (3–5 days). Fast, but disruptive — this is when your kitchen becomes unusable.

4. Rough-in work (1–2 weeks). Plumbing, electrical, and any structural framing, if your layout is changing.

5. Installation — cabinetry, counters, flooring (2–4 weeks). The phase where the room visibly comes together.

6. Finishing touches & punch list (1–2 weeks). Backsplash, hardware, final electrical, paint touch-ups, and the walkthrough.

What Makes a Kitchen Remodel Take Longer

• Custom or semi-custom cabinetry almost always extends the timeline more than any other single factor — it's worth building your material selections around cabinet lead time first.

• Moving plumbing or electrical (relocating a sink, island, or range) adds both permitting and rough-in time.

• Structural changes, like removing a wall between kitchen and living space, require engineering review and permitting before demo even starts.

• Backordered materials — tile, hardware, and appliances can all hit supply delays that push installation out by weeks.

What Can Shorten the Timeline

• Choosing in-stock or quick-ship cabinetry over fully custom

• Keeping your existing footprint (no plumbing or electrical relocation)

• Finalizing all selections before demolition begins, so nothing holds up installation mid-project

• Working with a designer who manages procurement proactively, ordering long-lead items early in the design phase rather than after demo starts

Kitchen Remodel Timelines in Dublin, Powell & Central Ohio

Timelines can shift slightly by region due to local permitting turnaround and contractor availability. In Dublin, Powell, New Albany, and the broader Central Ohio market, permitting for a standard kitchen remodel typically adds 1–3 weeks on top of the phases above; projects involving structural or plumbing changes may take longer depending on the municipality.

Quick Answers

Q: How long does a full kitchen remodel take?

A: Typically 12 to 20 weeks from design through installation, with cosmetic-only refreshes on the shorter end and full layout changes on the longer end.

Q: What's the longest phase of a kitchen remodel?

A: Procurement and material lead times, especially for custom cabinetry, which can take 8 to 12 weeks on its own.

Q: Can a kitchen remodel be done faster than 12 weeks?

A: Yes, if the layout stays the same and materials are in-stock rather than custom — a cosmetic refresh can sometimes finish in 8 to 10 weeks.

Q: Does moving plumbing or electrical add significant time to a kitchen remodel?

A: Yes — relocating a sink, island, or range typically adds permitting and rough-in time beyond a standard remodel timeline.

Q: How far in advance should I order kitchen cabinets?

A: As early as possible — ideally during the design phase, since custom and semi-custom cabinetry often has the longest lead time of any material in the project.

Planning a kitchen remodel in Dublin, Powell, New Albany, or the surrounding Central Ohio area? Schedule a complimentary discovery call and we'll map out a realistic timeline for your project.