HOW LONG DOES A KITCHEN RENOVATION TAKE?
A kitchen remodel is a big job, and it takes a lot of planning, effort, and a lot of work. Being aware beforehand of a realistic timeframe for your new kitchen renovation will eliminate the shock of it becoming a very extensive and long job. A lot of people think that a kitchen renovation is going to be a quick job, but in reality, it can take a lot longer than you may think.
So, how long does a kitchen renovation usually take? This article by kitchen design expert Jessica Evans at PriceYourJob.co.uk goes through all of the key elements of a kitchen renovation and the respective time frames that you can expect for each part of the job. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the timeframes for this type of home improvement…
What is the Average Timescale for a Kitchen Renovation?
Kitchen renovations will typically take around 3 – 6 months to be completed fully.
The specific length of time will depend on the amount of upgrades you want and how bespoke you want your kitchen to be. Generally, the harder the job is to complete, the bigger your kitchen, and the bigger your appliances, the longer the job is going to take in total.
A kitchen renovation includes fitting new ovens, sinks, refrigerators, cabinets, flooring, countertops and backsplashes. Timeframes can differ depending on the different designs and models that you choose for your new kitchen.
What Steps and Timeframes Are Involved in a Kitchen Renovation?
There are many different steps involved in this type of work, and each of the steps will take varying amounts of time. Below is a list of all of the steps involved in a kitchen renovation and the time frames you can expect for each element of the job.
Planning
The planning step really depends on how much time you want to put into planning. Some people plan a kitchen renovation for years, and others just take days. It depends entirely upon your specific project scope.
Finding the Right Contractor
This involves taking meetings, following through on recommendations, and researching so that you can determine the best contractor for you. So again, this phase can be taken at your own pace, depending on your specific needs.
The Initial Design Process
The initial design process of a kitchen renovation involves coming up with a basic plan for what you want to achieve. This step will usually take around 1 – 3 days to complete, depending on the size and complexity of your project.
Final Design Process
The final design process involves finalising your plans so that you have a complete and detailed plan of what you want and what you expect from the job. This will usually take around 1 – 4 weeks, depending on the scale of your project. The final design must be very specific and include everything that you need in order to make your dream kitchen come true.
Ordering the Products and Materials
Make sure you order products and materials as early as possible, as this step can take up a lot of time in the early stages. Ordering and waiting for the products to be delivered can take around 1 – 2 months, sometimes longer for larger projects for very specific, unique designs.
Demolition and Structural Changes
In order to put in a new kitchen, you must first remove your old kitchen. You will also need to make any structural changes as needed, such as adding or removing walls. This stage can take anywhere from 2 – 3 days to 2 – 3 months, depending on the amount of demolition and structural work that your particular job requires.
Rough-In Utilities
At this point, you will need to move your utility and appliance inputs and outputs and complete any respective plumbing or electrical work that may be required in order to place your appliances and utilities in their new setting in place with your new kitchen design. This step usually takes around 2 – 5 days.
Painting
Painting and decorating the space is usually completed before the new cabinets are fitted, as it is much easier to paint without having to work around the cabinets. The ceiling, walls and trim may require paint at this stage. This work usually takes around 2 – 3 days on average.
Installing Flooring
Installing the flooring will usually take around 1 – 2 days but could sometimes take a bit longer, depending on the type of flooring that you have chosen for your new kitchen and whether or not you are laying the flooring yourself.
Cabinet Installation
This step is also determined by whether or not you are completing the work yourself or relying on contractors. The larger your kitchen is, the longer this step is going to take. On average, cabinet installation usually takes around 2 – 4 days.
Countertop Measurements
A contractor will need to come to your home to measure your new countertop spaces so that you can order your countertop materials. This step will only take a few hours, but you will usually need to book a slot with the contractor in advance, so be sure to keep that in mind.
Appliance Installations
This step involves ensuring that all of your utility and appliance connections are ready for installation and making sure that your built-in appliances have the proper appropriate ventilation that they need. At this stage, all the utilities and appliances that will not be affected by the countertop installation can be installed and connected. This step will usually take just 1 – 2 days to complete.
Installing the Lighting
Lighting installations can usually be completed within a day. However, if you are having complex lighting installed or if you are installing built-in lights in the ceiling, around the cabinets, or in the flooring, this may take a bit longer.
Countertop Fabrication
The delivery times for countertop materials can vary depending on the type of material that you have chosen and how much of the design is customised. You can expect this stage to take anywhere between 1 – 4 weeks. Unfortunately, you will have to wait for your countertops to be delivered before you can move on
Installing the Countertops
Your countertops will need to be fitted and secured in place according to your designs. This step usually takes around 1 – 2 days to complete. Sometimes, it could take a little bit longer if you have a particularly large kitchen or if the design is complex.
Installing the Backsplash
Installing the backsplash will usually take 1 – 2 days. However, it may sometimes take a bit longer, depending on the material that you are using. The size of your kitchen may also affect the installation time, with larger backsplashes taking longer to complete.
Final Appliance Installations
This stage involves installing the remaining appliances and the sink. The time it takes to complete this will depend on your specific appliances and utilities. However, you can expect this to usually take around 1 – 2 days to complete.
Carpentry Finishing Touches
The last step in your kitchen renovation will involve finishing off all of the floor trim and the moulding details and making any necessary adjustments that may be needed to make your new kitchen perfect. This final step usually takes around 2 – 4 days.
Final Thoughts
You are now armed with a complete and detailed list of all of the steps that are involved in doing a kitchen renovation, along with the timeframes that are involved with each of the individual steps.
A brand new kitchen is something that can completely transform your home. If you are thinking about remodelling your house, the kitchen is always a great place to start!
