Kitchen Remodeling Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week in 2025

"How long will my kitchen remodel take?" It's the first question every homeowner asks—and the answer depends on your project scope, material choices, and contractor experience. After completing 500+ kitchen renovations across Monmouth County and Ocean County, we've refined our process to deliver beautiful kitchens on predictable timelines.

This guide breaks down exactly what happens during each phase of a kitchen remodel in New Jersey, so you can plan accordingly and set realistic expectations.

---

Kitchen Remodeling Timeline Overview

| Project Type | Timeline | Best For |
|-------------|----------|----------|
| Minor Update | 2-4 weeks | Cabinet refacing, new hardware, paint |
| Mid-Range Remodel | 8-12 weeks | New cabinets, counters, appliances (same layout) |
| Major Renovation | 12-16 weeks | Layout changes, structural work, custom everything |
| Luxury Transformation | 16-20+ weeks | Complete gut, custom cabinets, high-end finishes |

Important: These timelines assume a contractor who manages all trades. DIY projects or multiple separate contractors typically take 50-100% longer.

---

Pre-Construction Phase: 4-12 Weeks Before Demolition

Weeks 1-2: Design & Planning

What happens:

• Initial consultation and measurements


• Design development and revisions


• 3D renderings or CAD drawings


• Budget finalization

Your role:

• Gather inspiration (Pinterest, Houzz, our kitchen ideas guide)


• Define must-haves vs. nice-to-haves


• Establish firm budget with 15-20% contingency

Pro tip: Make all major decisions NOW. Changes after demolition cause delays and cost overruns.

Weeks 3-4: Material Selection

What happens:

• Cabinet selection and ordering (6-12 week lead time for custom)


• Countertop material selection


• Appliance selection and ordering


• Tile, flooring, and fixture selection

Critical timing:

• Custom cabinets: 8-12 weeks from order to delivery


• Semi-custom cabinets: 4-8 weeks


• Stock cabinets: 1-3 weeks


• High-end appliances: 4-12 weeks (supply chain dependent)

Your role:

• Visit showrooms to see materials in person


• Confirm all selections in writing


• Pay deposits to lock in orders

Weeks 5-8: Permits & Final Prep

What happens:

• Permit applications submitted


• Final measurements and cabinet order confirmation


• Contractor scheduling and trade coordination


• Pre-construction meeting

In New Jersey:

• Kitchen remodels typically require electrical and plumbing permits


• Permit approval takes 1-3 weeks in most municipalities


• Your contractor should handle all permit applications

---

Construction Phase: Week-by-Week Breakdown

Week 1: Demolition

Days 1-2: Protection & Prep

• Plastic barriers installed to contain dust


• Appliances disconnected


• Utilities marked and shut off as needed

Days 3-5: Demolition

• Cabinets removed


• Countertops removed


• Flooring removed (if replacing)


• Old fixtures and appliances hauled away

What to expect:

• Significant noise and dust (despite barriers)


• No kitchen access


• Dumpster in driveway

Homeowner tip: This is the messiest phase. Set up your temporary kitchen BEFORE demolition begins.

Week 2: Rough Work

Electrical (2-3 days):

• New circuits run for appliances


• Outlet locations adjusted


• Under-cabinet lighting wiring


• Range hood venting

Plumbing (2-3 days):

• Water supply lines relocated (if needed)


• Drain lines adjusted


• Gas line work (if applicable)


• Dishwasher and ice maker connections

What to expect:

• Walls may be opened for access


• Short water shutoffs (usually 1-4 hours)


• Electrical inspection scheduled

NJ requirement: All electrical and plumbing work requires permits and inspections in New Jersey.

Week 3: Walls & Prep

Drywall & Repairs (2-3 days):

• Drywall patching and replacement


• Wall repairs from demolition


• Any structural modifications

Painting (2-3 days):

• Prime all surfaces


• First coat of paint on walls and ceiling


• Cabinet interior painting (if applicable)

What to expect:

• Paint fumes (use low-VOC paints)


• Multiple coats require drying time


• Better ventilation = faster drying

Week 4: Flooring Installation

Flooring (3-5 days):

• Subfloor repairs if needed


• Flooring installation (hardwood, tile, LVP)


• Transition strips at doorways

Why flooring before cabinets?

• Creates cleaner finished look


• Allows for future cabinet replacement


• Industry best practice

Material timing:

• Hardwood: 3-5 days installation + acclimation time


• Tile: 3-4 days + grout cure time


• LVP: 1-2 days

Weeks 5-6: Cabinet Installation

Cabinet delivery and installation (5-7 days):

• Cabinet delivery and inspection


• Base cabinet installation


• Wall cabinet installation


• Crown molding and trim


• Hardware installation

What happens:

• Careful leveling and alignment


• Filler pieces cut and installed


• Doors and drawer fronts adjusted

This is when it starts looking like a kitchen!

Homeowner tip: Inspect cabinets upon delivery BEFORE installation. Damage claims are easier to process before installation.

Week 7: Countertop Templating & Fabrication

Templating (1 day):

• Fabricator measures installed cabinets


• Sink and faucet cutout locations confirmed


• Seam placement finalized

Fabrication (7-10 days):

• Countertops cut and polished off-site


• Edge profiles applied


• Quality inspection

Why the wait?

• Cabinets must be installed before templating


• Precise measurements ensure perfect fit


• Custom fabrication takes time

Week 8: Countertop Installation

Installation (1-2 days):

• Countertops delivered and installed


• Seams joined (if applicable)


• Sink cutout finished


• Backsplash area prepped

What to expect:

• Heavy slabs require multiple installers


• Sealing (for natural stone)


• 24-48 hour cure time before sink installation

Week 9: Backsplash & Fixtures

Backsplash (2-3 days):

• Tile installation


• Grouting


• Sealing

Plumbing fixtures (1 day):

• Sink installation


• Faucet installation


• Garbage disposal


• Dishwasher connection

Electrical fixtures (1 day):

• Under-cabinet lighting


• Pendant lights


• Outlet covers and switches

Week 10: Appliances & Final Details

Appliance installation (1-2 days):

• Range/cooktop installation


• Refrigerator delivery and connection


• Dishwasher final connection


• Range hood installation


• Microwave installation

Final touches:

• Touch-up painting


• Hardware adjustments


• Door and drawer alignment


• Caulking and sealing

Week 11: Punch List & Final Inspection

Punch list walkthrough:

• Detailed inspection with contractor


• List of any items needing attention


• Minor adjustments and fixes

Final inspection:

• Municipal inspection for permit sign-off


• All permits closed

Your kitchen is complete!

---

Factors That Extend Your Timeline

Custom vs. Stock Materials

| Material Type | Lead Time | Impact |
|--------------|-----------|--------|
| Stock cabinets | 1-3 weeks | Shortest timeline |
| Semi-custom cabinets | 4-8 weeks | Moderate |
| Full custom cabinets | 8-12 weeks | Longest timeline |
| Prefab countertops | 1-2 weeks | Fastest |
| Custom stone countertops | 2-3 weeks after template | Standard |

Common Delay Causes

Avoidable delays:

• Design changes after ordering materials


• Decision paralysis on selections


• Permit issues (work with licensed contractor)


• Payment delays

Sometimes unavoidable:

• Material shipping delays


• Unexpected structural issues


• Weather (for outdoor access work)


• Inspector scheduling

---

Living Through Your Kitchen Remodel

Setting Up a Temporary Kitchen

Essential items:

• Microwave or toaster oven


• Mini-fridge or cooler with ice


• Electric kettle or hot plate


• Paper plates and disposable utensils


• Dish tub for washing

Best locations:

• Dining room (close to kitchen)


• Basement (if finished)


• Garage (in mild weather)

Managing Dust and Noise

Dust control:

• Plastic barriers help but don't eliminate dust


• Change HVAC filters weekly


• Clean air purifiers in living spaces


• Expect to deep clean after completion

Noise expectations:

• Demolition: LOUD (use ear protection nearby)


• Construction: Moderate to loud


• Finishing work: Relatively quiet

---

How Custom Kitchens by Lopez Manages Timelines

At Custom Kitchens by Lopez, we've developed systems to deliver on-time results:

1. Single-source management: We coordinate all trades—no waiting for separate contractors
2. Material pre-ordering: We order cabinets and long-lead items before demolition begins
3. Dedicated project managers: One point of contact who tracks every detail
4. Trade scheduling: Subcontractors scheduled based on critical path
5. Proactive communication: Weekly updates and immediate issue resolution

Our track record: 95% of our projects complete within the quoted timeline.

---

Get Your Personalized Timeline

Every kitchen is different. Your specific timeline depends on:

• Current kitchen layout
• Scope of changes
• Material selections
• Permit requirements
• Your schedule constraints

Ready to plan your kitchen remodel? Contact us for a free consultation and we'll provide a detailed, customized timeline for your project.

---

Related Resources

• Kitchen Remodeling Checklist
• Kitchen Remodeling Ideas for 2026
• Kitchen Remodeling Services in New Jersey
• Kitchen Contractor Monmouth County
• Kitchen Remodeling Costs in NJ

---

Custom Kitchens by Lopez | NJ License #13VH04175700 | 50+ Years Experience | 5.0 Google Rating (127+ Reviews)