How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?

A Simple Timeline and How to Keep it Stress-Free

One of the first questions we hear is, “How long will it take?” And it’s a fair one. A new kitchen is exciting, but it’s also a big change to daily life. The truth is, every renovation is different, but most projects follow the same stages. If you understand the order things happen in, you can plan properly, avoid common delays, and keep the whole process feeling far more manageable.

Below is a simple, realistic kitchen renovation timeline, plus a few top tips we share with clients to help everything run smoothly.

First, what affects the timeline?

A kitchen renovation can be quick and straightforward, or more involved, depending on what you’re changing.

Things that usually extend the schedule include:

• Moving plumbing or electrics
• Changing the layout
• Removing walls or adding steelwork
• Structural changes, like an extension
• Bespoke cabinetry or specialist finishes
• Worktops that need templating and fabrication time

The good news, small or large, we plan around your home, your lifestyle, and your budget, so you always know what’s happening and why.

Stage 1, Planning and design

This is where the best kitchens are made, before any work starts.

We’ll talk through how you live, what you need from the space, and what you’d like it to feel like. Then we move into layout planning, storage solutions, finishes, and appliances. This stage is also where we keep a close eye on budget, so the final design is something you love, and something that makes sense financially.

Top tip: If you can make the key decisions early, layout, appliances, and worktop choice, the rest of the project tends to run far more smoothly.

Stage 2, Ordering and lead times

Once the design is signed off, everything gets ordered. This is often the “quiet” stage where it feels like nothing is happening, but it’s essential. Cabinetry, worktops, appliances, taps, sinks, handles, lighting, it all needs to be coordinated so the installation doesn’t stall.

This is also where a designer helps massively, because we make sure everything works together, arrives in the right order, and fits the plan, so you’re not caught out mid-project.

Stage 3, Rip out and prep

Once the project starts on site, it usually begins with protecting floors and walkways, then removing the old kitchen. If you’re keeping flooring or reusing parts of the room, careful prep is key.

If you’re having building work, this is when structural changes happen too.

Stage 4, First fix electrics and plumbing

This is when the “bones” of the new kitchen are put in place. Plumbing and electrics are adjusted to suit the new layout, plus any extras like island power, under-cabinet lighting, or extraction changes.

This stage can be quick if everything stays in the same place, and longer if you’re relocating appliances or sinks.

Stage 5, walls, floors, and making good

Plastering, patching, decorating prep, and flooring often sit here. Drying time is important, rushing this stage can cause problems later, so it’s worth doing properly.

If you’re fitting new flooring, this is usually done before cabinetry goes in, depending on the material and design.

Stage 6, fitting the kitchen

This is where you really start to see it come together. Cabinets are installed, doors aligned, and the layout becomes “real” in your home.

This stage can move quickly when the prep work has been done correctly, which is why planning and measurements matter so much.

Stage 7, worktops, templating and fitting

Worktops often happen in two parts, templating first, then fitting once the worktop is made. This is why worktops can add time, particularly for stone, quartz, granite, or porcelain.

It’s also why we help clients choose practical options that suit both their lifestyle and their schedule.

Stage 8, second fix, appliances, and finishing touches

Now the kitchen becomes usable. Appliances go in, sinks and taps are fitted, lighting is finished, and any final plumbing and electrical work is completed. Then it’s the details, handles, plinths, sealant lines, final adjustments, and those small finishing touches that make it feel properly complete.

Keeping it on track, our top tips

• Decide your key items early, appliances and worktops influence layout and services
• Allow some flexibility, especially if it’s an older property
• Set up a temporary kitchen space, kettle, toaster, microwave, and a washing-up station helps
• Keep the design focused on what you actually need, more units isn’t always better
• Work with a designer who coordinates the details, it reduces costly surprises and delays

A kitchen designed properly lasts longer

We always say, a kitchen renovation isn’t just about how it looks on day one. It’s an investment in your home and your everyday life. That’s why we design kitchens that work, built with quality, and planned around your budget, whether you’re doing a compact update or a full transformation.

If you’re thinking about a new kitchen and want a clear plan from the start, pop in for a chat. We’ll talk through your ideas, your space, and your budget, and help you understand what a realistic timeline looks like for your home.