Kitchen Remodel Timeline: What to Expect Week-by-Week
By Admin Manager
A kitchen remodel is a major undertaking that disrupts your daily routine. Knowing what to expect week-by-week helps you plan your life during the renovation and reduces stress. Here's a realistic timeline for a typical mid-range kitchen remodel in Tucson.
Pre-Construction Phase (2-4 weeks)
Before work begins, there's important prep work:
- Design and planning: Finalize layout, materials, and finishes
- Ordering materials: Cabinets (4-8 weeks lead time), appliances, countertops
- Permits: City permits for structural, plumbing, or electrical changes
- Contractor scheduling: Coordinating trades and timelines
Week 1: Demolition & Rough-In
What happens:
- Remove old cabinets, appliances, and fixtures
- Demo walls (if layout changes)
- Remove old flooring
- Update plumbing and electrical rough-in
- Inspect for hidden issues (mold, water damage, outdated wiring)
What to expect: Messy, noisy, dusty. Your kitchen will be unusable. Set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere.
Week 2: Structural & Mechanical
What happens:
- Complete any structural changes (moving walls, beams)
- Finish plumbing rough-in
- Complete electrical rough-in
- HVAC updates (if needed)
- Drywall installation and finishing
What to expect: Still messy, but progress is visible. Inspections may occur.
Week 3: Cabinets & Flooring
What happens:
- Install base cabinets
- Install upper cabinets
- Level and secure all cabinets
- Install flooring (if cabinets sit on floor)
- Or install flooring after cabinets (if floating floor)
What to expect: Kitchen starts taking shape! Cabinets transform the space.
Week 4: Countertops & Backsplash
What happens:
- Template countertops (precise measurements)
- Fabricate countertops (1-2 weeks off-site)
- Install countertops
- Install backsplash tile
- Grout and seal
What to expect: Countertop templating happens, then you wait for fabrication. Backsplash installation is quick once started.
Week 5: Appliances & Plumbing
What happens:
- Install appliances (refrigerator, range, dishwasher)
- Install sink and faucet
- Connect all plumbing
- Test all connections
What to expect: Kitchen becomes functional! You can start using it (carefully).
Week 6: Finishing Touches
What happens:
- Install lighting fixtures
- Install cabinet hardware
- Final paint touch-ups
- Clean and polish
- Final walkthrough and punch list
What to expect: Final details complete your kitchen. Project wraps up!
Factors That Affect Timeline
Scope of Work
- Cosmetic refresh: 2-3 weeks
- Partial remodel: 4-6 weeks
- Full gut remodel: 6-12 weeks
- Layout changes: Adds 2-4 weeks
Material Lead Times
- Stock cabinets: 1-2 weeks
- Semi-custom cabinets: 4-8 weeks
- Custom cabinets: 8-12 weeks
- Countertops: 1-3 weeks after templating
- Appliances: 2-8 weeks (varies by model)
Unexpected Issues
Hidden problems can add time:
- Outdated wiring requiring full rewiring
- Plumbing issues discovered during demo
- Structural problems
- Mold or water damage
How to Minimize Delays
- Order materials early: Don't wait until demo starts
- Make decisions quickly: Delays in choosing materials delay everything
- Be available: Respond quickly to questions or change requests
- Plan for inspections: City inspections can add days
- Expect the unexpected: Build in 10-15% time buffer
Living During a Kitchen Remodel
Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
- Microwave in another room
- Mini-fridge or use garage refrigerator
- Paper plates and disposable utensils
- Electric skillet or hot plate
- Cooler for beverages
Plan Meals
- Eat out more (budget for this)
- Meal prep before demo starts
- Use slow cooker or grill
- Stock up on non-perishables
The Bottom Line
A typical mid-range kitchen remodel takes 6-8 weeks from start to finish. Full gut remodels with layout changes can take 10-12 weeks. The key is planning ahead, ordering materials early, and being flexible when unexpected issues arise. Good communication with your contractor helps keep things on track.
Ready to start your kitchen remodel? Explore our services or schedule a consultation. We'll provide a detailed timeline for your specific project and help you plan every step.
