How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?
Most kitchen renovations in Halton Hills take 6 to 12 weeks of on-site work. Add design time and cabinet lead times beforehand, and a typical project runs three to five months from the first meeting to a finished kitchen.
The on-site weeks are the ones you live through, so here's how they break down and what makes them longer or shorter.
Before construction starts
Design and selections, 3 to 6 weeks. Layout, cabinetry, countertops, tile, fixtures and appliances are chosen and drawn up. The faster decisions are made, the sooner work begins.
Ordering, 2 to 16 weeks. Semi-custom cabinets usually arrive in 2 to 6 weeks. Custom cabinetry can take 6 to 16 weeks. Specialty appliances can take longer still. Construction starts once the long-lead items are confirmed.
Permits, if needed. Moving walls or plumbing usually needs a building permit from the Town of Halton Hills. The application runs alongside ordering.
The on-site phases
Demolition, a few days. Old cabinets, counters and flooring come out, and the space is cleared.
Rough-ins, 1 to 2 weeks. Plumbing, electrical and ventilation are run or moved. Inspections happen here when a permit is in place.
Walls, floors and paint, 1 to 2 weeks. Drywall is patched or replaced, flooring goes down and the room is painted.
Cabinet installation, about a week. Cabinets are set, levelled and secured.
Countertops, 1 to 3 weeks. Stone counters are templated from the installed cabinets, then cut and installed. The sink is out of service during this stretch.
Backsplash, fixtures and appliances, 1 to 2 weeks. Tile, faucets, lighting and hardware go in, appliances are connected and the last details are finished.
What makes a kitchen take longer
Layout changes. Moving the sink, the range or a wall adds rough-in work, inspections and sometimes engineering.
Custom cabinetry. It's the single biggest variable in most kitchen schedules.
Older homes. Kitchens in older Georgetown and Acton homes can hide outdated wiring or plumbing that needs replacing once the walls open.
Changes mid-project. A new cabinet or a different counter after ordering can add weeks. Settling selections during design protects the schedule.
Living without a kitchen
Most families stay home during a kitchen renovation and set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house. A fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster oven and a portable induction plate cover most meals. The longest stretch without a sink is between demolition and countertop installation, so plan simple meals for those weeks.
How we keep kitchens on schedule
At The Dagher Group, selections are finalized and long-lead items are ordered before demolition begins, so the kitchen is out of service for as short a time as possible. See our kitchen renovations page, read what a home renovation costs in Halton Hills, or call 416-567-2004 to book a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a kitchen renovation take? Most kitchen renovations take 6 to 12 weeks of on-site work. Including design and cabinet lead times, the full project usually runs three to five months.
How long will I be without a kitchen? For the on-site portion, typically 6 to 12 weeks. A temporary kitchen with a fridge, microwave and portable cooktop makes that period manageable.
Why are countertops installed after the cabinets? Stone countertops are templated from the installed cabinets so they fit exactly. Cutting and installation then take one to three weeks.
What delays a kitchen renovation the most? Cabinet lead times and changes after ordering. Finalizing selections during design keeps the schedule steady.
