Most full kitchen remodels take 6 to 12 weeks of on-site work, preceded by 3 to 6 weeks of design and ordering. The single biggest variable is cabinetry lead time. Here's what a typical North Shore project actually looks like, stage by stage.
Before demolition (3–6 weeks)
- Design & selections. Layout, cabinetry, countertops, tile, fixtures, lighting — locked before anything is ordered.
- Ordering. Cabinets are the long pole: semi-custom runs ~4–8 weeks, fully custom longer. We order early so material is on hand before demo.
- Permits. Your village reviews the plans (see our permit guide). We handle the application and scheduling.
On-site construction (6–12 weeks)
- Week 1 — Demolition & protection. Dust barriers up, old kitchen out, surprises (wiring, plumbing, framing) assessed.
- Weeks 2–3 — Rough-in. Plumbing, electrical, and any framing/structural work; first inspection.
- Weeks 3–4 — Walls & floors. Drywall, paint prep, flooring underlayment.
- Weeks 5–6 — Cabinets. Installation and leveling — the moment it starts to look like a kitchen.
- Week 7 — Countertops. Templated after cabinets are set, then fabricated (~1–2 weeks) and installed.
- Weeks 8–10 — Backsplash, fixtures, appliances, lighting. Tile, plumbing trim, hardware, final electrical.
- Weeks 11–12 — Punch list & final inspection. The details, then the reveal.
What stretches a timeline
Custom cabinet lead times, moving plumbing or walls, structural surprises in older homes, condo-association or historic-district review, and long-lead specialty materials. We build realistic buffers into your schedule so the date we give you is the date you can plan around.
A remodel that's rushed is a remodel that gets redone. We sequence the trades so each stage is right before the next begins.
Bathrooms are faster — usually 3 to 6 weeks on site. Want a schedule for your project? Book a free consultation or call (847) 681-9000.