How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take?

The average kitchen renovation in Charlotte can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months. At Portico, our expert remodelers are able to complete kitchen renovations in around 6 to 7 weeks.

The good news is that the amount of time it takes to complete a kitchen remodel does not correlate with the size of the kitchen. Rather, the timeline is impacted by the materials selected and the time it takes for those materials to be delivered, as they are provided by third party vendors.

Let’s look more closely at what goes into Portico’s kitchen renovation timeline.

  • Design & Planning: 7-10 Days
  • Obtain Permits: 1 Week
  • Source Materials: 1 to 2 Months
  • Remove Existing Kitchen: 3 Days
  • Plumbing & Electrical: 2 to 5 Days
  • City Inspections: 2 to 3 Days
  • Flooring: 2 Days
  • Countertops & Cabinets
    • Ordering Cabinets: 4 to 6 Weeks
    • Cabinet Installation: 2 Days
    • Countertop Installation: 2 to 3 Days
  • Backsplash Installation: 2 Days
  • Painting Walls: 2 Days
  • Install Appliances: 1 Day
  • Clean Up: 1 Day

COMPREHENSIVE KITCHEN RENOVATION TIMELINE

When you’re attempting to calculate how long a kitchen remodel project will take, it’s highly recommended that you consider the timeline for each phase of the project. During your initial consultation with Team Portico, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss the timelines more in-depth with your general contractor.

PHASE 1: KITCHEN DESIGN & PLANNING

Estimated Timeline: 7 to 10 Days

The initial phase of the kitchen remodel process is the design/planning phase. When you’re planning to have your kitchen remodeled, there are numerous things that you should consider before you hire a general contractor or start purchasing materials. It’s at this stage of the process that you should think about your new kitchen layout, the new appliances you’d like to buy, and what your budget will be.

To avoid taking too much time during this phase, consider working with an interior designer who can guide you through the process and help you plan the perfect kitchen for your home. You can expect this process to take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, generally. However, there aren’t really any time limits during this phase of the remodel, which is why you can take as long as you want to design your new kitchen.

PHASE 2: OBTAIN PERMITS

Estimated Timeline: 1 Week

Before you remodel your kitchen, it’s essential that you obtain a permit for the project. (If you are working with a general contractor, they will likely obtain the permits on your behalf. This is a service that Team Portico provides its clients.) If work is set to occur on your home’s electrical system or plumbing system, a building permit is necessary.

Once the permit has been applied for, it will take some time for the permit to be approved, the amount of which differs with each city. In general, you should expect the approval process to take between 2 to 6 weeks.

PHASE 3: SOURCE MATERIALS

Estimated Timeline: 1 to 2 Months

You or your contractor will need to order materials, which will take some time to arrive at your home. You should expect this process to take upwards of 1 to 2 months. However, it can vary significantly. If you’re ordering custom cabinetry for your new kitchen, this process alone can take upwards of 6 to 8 weeks to be completed.

Luckily, during this time, Team Portico can get started on demolition and painting to keep the interior renovation project moving along.

PHASE 4: REMOVE EXISTING KITCHEN

Estimated Timeline: 3 Days

If you’re making substantial changes to the appearance and layout of your kitchen, the demolition process can take anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks to be completed. If you work with an experienced general contractor like Portico, we can complete this step in 3 days. 

Your contractor must be able to make notable changes to your kitchen without adversely affecting your home’s structural integrity.

PHASE 5: PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL

Estimated Timeline: 2 to 5 Days

Most kitchen remodeling projects involve making changes to the plumbing and/or electrical systems. If you’re moving your stove, dishwasher, or refrigerator, the location of your utilities may need to change. You can expect this process to take around 2 to 5 days.

PHASE 6: CITY INSPECTIONS

Estimated Timeline: 2 to 3 Days

Once the kitchen’s framing has been installed, professional city inspections must take place. An inspection is necessary to ensure that the kitchen is being built to specification and meets the local building codes. If multiple inspections are necessary, you may need to set aside a couple of days for the inspections before work can continue. Each inspection can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours.

PHASE 7: FLOORING

Estimated Timeline: 2 Days
Flooring is usually installed before the countertops, cabinets, and backsplashes are added. The installation timeline depends on the material you choose and the size of your new kitchen. Most flooring installs take 1 to 2 days.

PHASE 8: KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS & CABINETS

Estimated Timeline: Varies

The first step is ordering the cabinets, which can take 6 to 8 weeks for the materials to arrive. From there, the cabinet installation process is simple and straightforward, taking only 2 days. This is when your contractor will make sure that everything is level and secure. Countertops are very similar. Once the materials arrive, they can be installed in 2 to 3 days.

PHASE 9: BACKSPLASH INSTALLATION & PAINTING WALLS

Estimated Timeline: 2 Days
Backsplash installs should take around 1 to 2 days, at most. On the other hand, painting your kitchen could take 2 to 3 days, depending on the kitchen’s size. Painting a kitchen is easier before cabinets have been installed, which is something to consider.

PHASE 10: INSTALL KITCHEN APPLIANCES

Estimated Timeline: 1 Day

If your utility connections are ready, installing all of the applications in your kitchen shouldn’t take longer than 1 to 2 days. This installation process applies to your stove, refrigerator, sink, and any other large appliances.

PHASE 11: CLEAN UP

Estimated Timeline: 1 Day

Once your appliances and fixtures have been installed, all that’s left is for you or your contractor to clean up the area so you can enjoy the results of your kitchen remodeling project. Cleaning up after a kitchen remodel should take 1 to 2 days, at most.

THE MOST TIME-CONSUMING ASPECTS OF A KITCHEN REMODEL

Likely, the most time-consuming aspects of a kitchen remodel include the permitting process, the design phase, and ordering custom cabinets. There are several steps you can take to keep these tasks on schedule.

It’s common for homeowners to take months to finalize the design for their kitchen remodel, which only serves to delay the completion of your project. To keep the renovation rolling, Portico’s general contractors can assist with the design for aesthetics and functionality.

As for the permitting process, approval of your permit can be delayed because of incorrect building plans or missing details in your application. To avoid time-consuming delays, our general contracts handle this step because they know the process inside and out.

As mentioned previously, custom cabinetry always takes a long time to fabricate. If you want to avoid delays during the remodeling process, order your custom cabinets ahead of time. You could also opt for pre-made cabinets. However, don’t order the cabinets until you have had a consultation with a licensed general contractor who can assure your order is in line with your design plan.

There are other factors to consider that could have an impact on your kitchen remodel project timeline, including:

  • Materials on backorder. If the materials you’ve ordered are out of stock because of an accumulation of orders, it could take weeks or months before you receive all of your materials.
  • Inexperienced contractor. If you make the mistake of hiring an inexperienced contractor for the job, their estimate of the project timeline may be inaccurate, which could lead to the project being delayed by months.
  • Structural issues. From water damage to outdated plumbing, there are numerous structural issues that could be identified once your old kitchen has been removed or demolished. Repairing these issues could take several weeks.

REMODEL YOUR CHARLOTTE KITCHEN WITH PORTICO

In summary, the timeline for a kitchen remodel has a lot to do with what renovation company you choose. For the most streamlined renovation experience, work with Portico.


Contact us today for a more concrete timeline of your kitchen remodel.