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Looking forward to remodeling your kitchen? But how long does a kitchen remodel actually take? We’ve set out to find out that once and for all. Read on!
The short answer is 3 to 8 weeks. That’s the optimistic estimation. Let’s break it down.
Remodeling a kitchen can be one of the most satisfying projects you can do in your home, however, it can also be a colossal undertaking. Depending on your scope, plans, budget, and a wide variety of other factors, the time-scale of kitchen remodeling is difficult to predict. All is not lost though, as by breaking remodeling down into individual components it can be easier to map a general timetable. While it’s not possible to be completely accurate, the following ideas should at least give you an outline of what to expect.
What's Inside
Pre-Construction and Planning – A Week to Months
Before even thinking about remodeling, you first need to ensure that you have a plan, and are both legally able to work and are properly protected financially. Remodeling is typically an activity performed by people moving into a new home, so for those in this situation, you’ll need to consider both insurance and a solidified mortgage.
For planning, the design is of course up to you. The more complex the plan the longer it will take. It could take a week, or it could be months if you keep making changes. In the case of insurance, most plans can be consolidated in one to three days. Just be sure that you have financial information on hand when you need it.
Mortgages can be a little more complicated, that is, if you’re choosing to do everything manually. Instead, it’s usually a much better idea to use a mortgage broker like Trussle to do the metaphorical heavy lifting. Services like this can quickly compare dozens of lenders and thousands of deals, giving you all you need to know within 24 hours.
When these primary steps are completed, we can start thinking about the physical remodeling time itself. Rather than jumping straight in, it’s best to order more difficult to find materials as early as possible. If coming from out of state, or another country, delivery time can throw an entire build off schedule, so obtain and store such components as soon are you are able.
Basic Structure and Demolition – Three Days to Three Weeks
Removing obsolete areas in your kitchen can be a simple task if your plans are modest. On the other hand, if you need to complete a more complex task such as moving or removing an exterior load-bearing wall then it could take much longer.
Roughing in Necessities – Three Days to Two Weeks
Once your basic framing is connected, the next task becomes ensuring connection points for utilities. If you’re not moving a lot around, this is relatively quick and painless. If you’re going with a much more thorough remodel and installing new technology like Delta VoiceIQ smart control, installation time will naturally increase.
Painting – Two to Three Days
One of the more manageable tasks. Painting can generally be performed in a couple of days, even with multiple coats. Drying equipment might sometimes be needed in this regard, but this is commonly provided by contractors.
Cabinets, Flooring, and Measuring – Three Days to a Week
Once the paint is dry, it’s time to add the flooring. For simple wood, this can be completed in a day, or a couple of days in the case of underfloor heating. Cabinets are a similar story, where the installation is usually fairly simple. Once these tasks are completed, final measurements are taken on upcoming parts such as the countertop and backsplashes.
Installing Basic Appliances and Lighting – Four Days
Despite being some of the most complicated pieces of technology in a home, the installation of appliances from professionals is typically expeditious. The more modern or heavy the appliances, the longer connections will generally take. Lights follow the same trend, where only advanced smart-systems will tend to take longer.
Countertop and Backsplash Installation – One to Two Days
Following the measurement taken earlier, fabrication and installation of the countertops and backsplash begin. As long as the measurements were accurate, this won’t take long.
Secondary Appliance Installation – Two Days
As soon as the countertops are in place, the final appliances can be installed. Sinks are commonly the last components here, slotting into countertops, but stoves, dishwashers, and ovens might also need to wait for this step.
Finalized Touches – Two to Four Days
With the larger pieces in place, the final touches can be placed to detail what remains. Moldings, trim, paint touch-ups, and more are all typical here, as is testing to ensure everything is running as it should.
Three to Eight Weeks
For the smallest possible jobs with the fastest turnarounds, you could be looking at three weeks for a completed job. Just note that timelines like this are very rarely realistic, with far more leaning closer to the eight weeks side of the spectrum. For those looking to keep a close track on every element of development, there are free tools like Trello which can help streamline this process.
As with any major remodeling project, unexpected complications are inevitable, and by realizing this you’re far less likely to stress when they do arrive. Whatever you go with, discuss typical turnarounds with supplies and contractors first, check online reviews, and you’ll have a better experience for it.
