Kitchen Renovation Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week

# Kitchen Renovation Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week

# Kitchen Renovation Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week

Kitchen renovations are notorious for taking longer than expected. Here's what actually happens during a kitchen remodel—and realistic timelines for each phase.

## Before Construction: The Hidden Timeline

### Design Phase (4-12 weeks)

**What's happening:**

- Initial consultations

- Measurements and existing conditions

- Design development and revisions

- Material selections

- Final design approval

**Don't rush this.** Design changes during construction cost 10x what they cost during planning.

### Ordering Phase (4-16 weeks)

**What's happening:**

- Cabinet orders (custom: 8-16 weeks; stock: 2-4 weeks)

- Countertop templates (after cabinets, before install)

- Appliance orders (can be quick or months depending on model)

- Flooring and tile orders

- Fixture orders

**Critical path item:** Cabinets. Everything waits for cabinets.

### Permit Phase (2-4 weeks in Ottawa)

**What's happening:**

- Application preparation

- City review

- Approval or revision requests

**Note:** Some kitchen work needs permits (electrical, plumbing, structural); cosmetic doesn't.

## Construction Timeline: Week by Week

### Week 1: Demolition and Discovery

**Day 1-2: Preparation**

- Clear kitchen completely

- Set up dust barriers

- Protect adjacent areas

- Establish temporary kitchen setup

**Day 3-5: Demolition**

- Remove cabinets, counters, backsplash

- Remove flooring if replacing

- Disconnect appliances and plumbing

- Remove drywall where needed

**The discovery phase:**

This is when surprises emerge—hidden rot, outdated wiring, plumbing issues. Budget and timeline need flexibility here.

**Milestone:** Empty room, ready for rough-in

### Week 2: Rough-In Work

**Electrical rough-in:**

- Move/add outlets

- Add circuits for new appliances

- Lighting rough-in

- Under-cabinet lighting prep

**Plumbing rough-in:**

- Move supply lines if needed

- Adjust drain locations

- Gas line work if applicable

- Dishwasher and fridge connections

**Structural work:**

- Any wall modifications

- Header installation if removing walls

- Soffit modifications

**HVAC adjustments:**

- Duct relocations

- Range hood venting

**Milestone:** All rough-in complete, ready for inspection

### Week 3: Inspection and Drywall

**Day 1-2: Inspections**

- Electrical inspection

- Plumbing inspection

- Structural inspection (if applicable)

**Day 3-5: Drywall and Patching**

- New drywall where needed

- Patching and repair

- Tape and first coat

**Milestone:** Passed inspections, walls closed up

### Week 4: Drywall Finishing and Painting

**Day 1-3: Drywall finishing**

- Second and third coats

- Sanding

- Texture matching (if applicable)

**Day 4-5: Painting**

- Prime new drywall

- Ceiling paint

- Wall paint (first coat minimum)

**Why paint now:** Easier before cabinets are in. Touch-up after, but base coats now.

**Milestone:** Walls and ceiling finished

### Week 5: Flooring

**Depends on material:**

- Tile: 3-5 days (including grout cure time)

- Hardwood: 3-4 days

- LVP: 1-2 days

**Timing options:**

- Some prefer flooring before cabinets (continuous floor)

- Some prefer after cabinets (less waste, protects floor)

- Both approaches work; discuss with contractor

**Milestone:** Flooring complete

### Week 6: Cabinet Installation

**Day 1-2: Base cabinets**

- Level and secure to walls

- Install corner and standard bases

- Ensure level and plumb

**Day 3-4: Wall cabinets**

- Install upper cabinets

- Align with base cabinets

- Install crown molding if applicable

**Day 5: Adjustments and trim**

- Door adjustments

- Hardware installation

- Filler pieces and trim

**Milestone:** Cabinets installed, ready for countertop template

### Week 7: Countertop Fabrication

**Day 1: Template**

- Fabricator creates precise template

- Final sink/cooktop cutout locations

- Edge details confirmed

**Day 2-5: Fabrication**

- Countertops cut and polished

- Cutouts made

- Edges finished

**This week feels slow** but fabrication takes time for precision.

**Milestone:** Countertops fabricated, ready for install

### Week 8: Countertop Install and Plumbing

**Day 1-2: Countertop installation**

- Counters set in place

- Seams joined

- Sink cut-outs finalized

**Day 2-3: Sink and faucet**

- Sink installation

- Faucet installation

- Garbage disposal if applicable

- Connections to plumbing

**Day 4-5: Appliance plumbing**

- Dishwasher installation

- Ice maker connection

- Gas range connection

**Milestone:** Working sink, countertops installed

### Week 9: Electrical Finish and Appliances

**Day 1-2: Electrical finish**

- Install outlets and covers

- Install switches

- Under-cabinet lighting

- Pendant/fixture installation

**Day 3-4: Appliances**

- Range/cooktop installation

- Refrigerator placement

- Microwave/hood installation

- Dishwasher final connection

**Day 5: Testing**

- Test all appliances

- Check all connections

- Verify everything works

**Milestone:** Functional kitchen

### Week 10: Backsplash and Details

**Day 1-3: Backsplash installation**

- Tile setting

- Grout

- Caulk at countertop

**Day 4-5: Finishing touches**

- Paint touch-up

- Cabinet adjustment

- Hardware tightening

- Caulk and sealant

- Trim pieces

**Milestone:** Backsplash complete

### Week 11: Punch List and Completion

**Day 1-3: Punch list**

- Final inspection walk-through

- Note any issues

- Address corrections

**Day 4-5: Final details**

- Complete punch list items

- Deep cleaning

- Final inspection

- Project handoff

**Milestone:** Project complete

## Total Timeline Summary

| Phase | Duration |

|-------|----------|

| Design | 4-12 weeks |

| Ordering | 4-16 weeks |

| Permits | 2-4 weeks |

| Construction | 8-11 weeks |

| **Total** | **18-43 weeks** |

## What Affects Timeline

### Makes It Longer:

- Custom cabinets vs. stock

- Structural changes

- Moving plumbing significantly

- Permit delays

- Material delays

- Discovery of hidden issues

- Change orders

### Can Shorten It:

- Stock cabinets in standard sizes

- No structural changes

- Plumbing staying in place

- Materials ordered early

- Clear decisions from start

- Experienced contractor

## Living Through It

### Temporary Kitchen Setup

**Essential:**

- Microwave

- Electric kettle

- Toaster oven

- Mini fridge

- Basic dishes and utensils

**Location:** Dining room, basement, or garage

### Realistic Expectations

- You'll eat out more than planned

- Dust gets everywhere despite barriers

- There will be at least one unexpected issue

- Some days will feel like nothing's happening

- The last 10% takes 30% of the time

### Protecting Your Sanity

- Establish communication schedule with contractor

- Keep decisions list handy

- Budget for meals out

- Plan an escape (visit family for a weekend)

- Focus on the end result

## Questions for Your Contractor

- What's the realistic construction timeline?

- What could cause delays?

- When do you need final decisions?

- How do you handle discovery issues?

- What's the communication process?

- When will we have a working sink?

Kitchen renovations are disruptive but temporary. Knowing what to expect makes the process manageable.