Our Process
Kitchen Remodel Timeline: How Long You'll Be Without a Kitchen, Week by Week
How long does a kitchen remodel take? Plan on 3–6 months from the first meeting to the final walkthrough, with 6–12 weeks of construction for a mid-range remodel and 10–18 weeks when the layout changes. Your kitchen is out of use only during construction. Design, permits and cabinet ordering happen while you still cook at home.
Key Facts
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Design | 2–8 weeks |
| Permits | 3–5 days (DPS Fast Track) to several weeks |
| Cabinet lead time | 4–15 weeks, running alongside design and permits |
| Construction | 6–12 weeks mid-range, 10–18 weeks with a layout change |
All ranges are typical.
Kitchen Remodel Timeline by Phase
A kitchen remodel runs in seven phases, and three of them happen before the kitchen is touched.
| Phase | Typical duration | Kitchen usable? |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation and measure | About 1 week | Yes |
| Design and selections | 2–8 weeks | Yes |
| Permits | DPS Fast Track 3–5 days for eligible kitchens; Rockville 28 calendar days first review | Yes |
| Cabinet and material lead time | 4–15 weeks, in parallel | Yes |
| Demolition and rough-in | 1–2 weeks | No |
| Inspections, drywall and install | 4–12 weeks | No |
| Final inspection and walkthrough | About 1 week | Yes, at the end |
Sources: typical ranges published by kitchen remodelers (Oct 2026); DPS Fast Track eligibility sheet; City of Rockville review timeframes, 10/05/26. See how long kitchen permits take.
How we work
Week by Week: What Happens While You're Without a Kitchen
Here is a typical 8-week build for a mid-range Bethesda kitchen. It is a sample, not a promise; your written schedule is set for your kitchen.
- Week 1: Floors and doorways protected, dust walls up, demolition.
- Week 2: Framing changes; rough-in electrical and plumbing.
- Week 3: Rough-in inspections, insulation and drywall.
- Week 4: Flooring and primer.
- Week 5: Cabinets set and levelled.
- Week 6: Countertops templated and fabricated.
- Week 7: Countertops and backsplash in; plumbing and electrical trim.
- Week 8: Appliances, final inspection, punch list and walkthrough.
How Long Each Type of Kitchen Remodel Takes
The scope sets the time: refacing takes days, a refresh a few weeks, and a layout change three to four months of building.
| Project | Construction time |
|---|---|
| Cabinet refacing | 1–3 days once doors arrive |
| Refresh | 2–5 weeks |
| Mid-range remodel | 6–12 weeks |
| Full renovation with layout change | 10–18 weeks |
| Addition or bump-out | Longer; set with our engineer and architect |
More on cabinet refacing timelines and kitchen additions.
How Long Does a Small Kitchen Remodel Take?
A small or condo kitchen usually takes 2–5 weeks for a refresh and 6–10 weeks for a full remodel. Two things stretch it in a condo: waiting for board approval, and booking the elevator and loading dock for each delivery. More on small and condo kitchen remodels.
How we work
What Slows a Kitchen Remodel Down
Seven things cause most delays, and most of them are decided before demolition.
- Late selections. We finish every selection before demolition day.
- Cabinet lead times. We order cabinets while permits are in review.
- Permit review comments. Complete drawings at the start mean fewer questions back.
- Inspection scheduling. We book inspections as soon as each stage is ready.
- What's behind the walls. We open suspect areas early and price fixes in writing.
- Condo work-hour limits. We plan the schedule around the building's rules.
- Changes after work starts. Every change goes on a written change order with its price and schedule impact, signed before work.
How we work
Our Kitchen Remodeling Process in 6 Steps
- Measure and scope. A free in-home visit. You get a clear scope and a budget range.
- Design and price. Our in-house designer draws your kitchen. You get renderings and an itemized written estimate with a written schedule. See the design step.
- File permits. We file with DPS, and our plumber files with WSSC Water. You get permit copies.
- Order cabinets and materials. You get confirmed delivery dates.
- Build. One named project lead is on site each day and sends a weekly written update with photos. Crews work Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Final inspection and walkthrough. We fix the punch list, hand over warranty papers, and your 1-year warranty starts.
Floors or Cabinets: What Comes First in a Kitchen Remodel?
It depends on the floor. Solid hardwood and tile go in first, so the floor runs under the cabinets and can be replaced later without pulling them out.
Floating floors, like luxury vinyl plank, go in after the cabinets. Pinning a floating floor under heavy cabinets stops it from expanding and can make it buckle.
Can You Live in Your House During a Kitchen Remodel?
Yes, most families do. A few things make it easier:
- A temporary kitchen in another room, with the fridge, a microwave and a plug-in induction plate
- A washing station at a laundry or bathroom sink
- Plastic dust walls with zip doors around the kitchen
- HVAC returns near the work sealed during dusty days
- A daily clean-up at the end of each work day
Our guide to surviving a kitchen remodel has more.
What Should You Do Before a Kitchen Remodel Starts?
Do six things before demolition day:
- Make every selection, down to the cabinet pulls
- Empty the cabinets and drawers
- Set up the temporary kitchen
- Plan for pets and parking
- Tell the neighbours or the condo office
- Agree in writing how changes will be priced
The full checklist is in what to do before a kitchen remodel.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Condo jobs follow the building's hours.
Your project lead, plus the trade scheduled that day.
We tell you the same day, in writing, with the cause and the new date.
On a written change order with the price and schedule impact, signed before the work is done.
At the final walkthrough.
Next step
Get a Kitchen Remodel Schedule for Your Bethesda Home
How long a kitchen remodel takes depends on your scope, your cabinets and your permits. Every estimate we send includes a written schedule, so you know the weeks you'll be without a kitchen before you sign.