About this template
Kitchens are the most logistically dense room to renovate. Cabinets have a 4–8 week lead time, countertops install 1–2 weeks after cabinets are set, and the plumber and electrician have to fit between the framer and the drywaller without anyone tripping over each other. This 10-week template assumes the design is mostly settled when day 1 starts and the cabinets were ordered at least 6 weeks earlier.
How a 10-week kitchen remodel breaks down
Design lock and ordering
Confirm the layout, finish selections, and appliance package. Order cabinets immediately — the rest of the schedule depends on when they show up. Order tile, flooring, lighting, and the appliances within the same week so deliveries land before you need them, not after.
- Finalize layout
- Order cabinets (4–8 week lead time)
- Select and order tile, flooring, lighting
- Order appliances
Demo and rough-in
Demo is 2–3 days. Then the trades come in sequence: framing changes (for new openings or moved walls), plumbing rough-in (relocating supply and waste lines), electrical rough-in (new circuits for the range, outlets at island, under-cabinet lighting), and HVAC if any duct work moves. All have to pass rough inspection before drywall goes up.
- Demolition (2–3 days)
- Framing changes
- Plumbing rough-in
- Electrical rough-in
- Rough inspection
Drywall, paint, and floor
Drywall hang and finish takes 5–7 days. Prime and paint walls and ceilings before cabinets go in — you can never paint behind a cabinet once it is installed. Floor tile or LVP usually installs before cabinets so the cabinet toe-kick sits on a finished floor.
- Drywall hang and tape
- Joint compound and sanding
- Prime and paint
- Floor install
Cabinets and countertops
Cabinet install takes 2–4 days for an average kitchen. The day after cabinets are set, the countertop fabricator comes to template the stone. Template-to-install is 7–10 business days for quartz and granite. Build that gap into the schedule — most DIY plans assume same-week install and end up living off a card table for ten days.
- Cabinet install
- Countertop template
- Backsplash (after countertop install)
- Countertop install
Appliances, plumbing, and final
Appliances, plumbing fixtures (faucet, sink, disposal, dishwasher), and lighting all install in the final week. Final inspection follows, then the punch-list walkthrough — caulk lines, hardware adjustment, the cabinet door that needs a hinge tweak.
- Appliance install
- Plumbing fixtures and dishwasher
- Lighting install
- Final inspection
- Punch list
Tips from finished kitchen remodels
- Order cabinets the moment the design is locked. The 4–8 week lead time is the hardest constraint on the whole schedule.
- Plan to live without a kitchen for the full 10 weeks. Set up a temporary kitchen in the garage or basement with the microwave, fridge, and a folding table.
- Photograph every wall before drywall closes — you will want to know where the wires and pipes are for the next 30 years.
- Schedule the countertop fabricator within 24 hours of cabinet install. Their template slots fill up two weeks out.
- Order an extra box of tile and an extra cabinet hinge. Replacement parts 5 years from now will not match.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
8–12 weeks for a typical remodel with no structural changes; 12–16 weeks if walls are moving or you add a peninsula or island.
When should I order cabinets?
Order cabinets 6–10 weeks before demo day. Lead times have stayed long since 2022 — order the moment your design is locked.
Can I live in the house during the remodel?
Yes, but set up a temporary kitchen with the microwave, fridge, and a folding table. The dust during demo and drywall is unavoidable; seal off the kitchen with plastic sheeting.