Real-life examples of examples of a kitchen renovation timetable

Most people underestimate a kitchen remodel by weeks, sometimes months. Not because they’re unrealistic, but because they’ve never seen real examples of a kitchen renovation timetable laid out from Week 1 to the final punch list.

A timetable helps you:

• Avoid starting demo before your cabinets or appliances are even ordered.
• Plan around work, kids, pets, and holidays.
• Spot bottlenecks early, like long lead times on cabinets or backordered tile.

Below you’ll find several examples of examples of a kitchen renovation timetable for different project types. Think of them as templates you can tweak, not strict rules.

Example of a 6‑week cosmetic kitchen refresh (no walls moved)

This is the kind of project where you keep the layout but update what you see: paint, hardware, lighting, maybe countertops. It’s common in condos, starter homes, or when you’re getting ready to sell.

Typical scope:

• Painting walls and possibly cabinets
• New hardware and light fixtures
• New faucet and sink
• New backsplash
• New countertops (often quartz or laminate)

Here’s how a realistic timetable often shakes out:

Week 1: Planning and ordering
You finalize the design, pick materials, and place orders. Countertop fabricators usually need a few days to schedule a measure and another 1–2 weeks to fabricate after that. In 2024–2025, many popular quartz colors can run 2–3 weeks out in busy markets.

Week 2: Prep and demo
You remove old backsplash, outdated lighting, and possibly old countertops (if your fabricator isn’t doing it). Walls get patched and prepped. You might be washing dishes in the bathtub this week, so plan meals accordingly.

Week 3: Painting and electrical
Walls and ceilings are painted. If you’re painting cabinets, this week often stretches into Week 4, especially if you’re doing it yourself. An electrician roughs in new lighting locations and switches.

Week 4: Countertops and plumbing reconnect
The fabricator installs countertops and cuts openings for the sink and cooktop. A plumber returns to install the new sink, garbage disposal, and faucet. You usually get a functional sink again by the end of this week.

Week 5: Backsplash and finishing touches
Tile goes up, then grout, then caulking. Hardware is installed or adjusted. Light fixtures go in once the backsplash work is done.

Week 6: Punch list and cleanup
You walk the space, make a list of touch-ups (paint nicks, caulk gaps, loose handles), and schedule a final pass. You also deep clean dust from cabinets, vents, and floors.

This is one of the best examples of a kitchen renovation timetable if you’re not moving walls or changing the layout. It’s fast enough to live through, but still has enough steps that a written timetable keeps things sane.

Full‑gut, mid‑range kitchen: 10–12 week timetable example

Here’s a more detailed example of a kitchen renovation timetable for a typical U.S. family home: new cabinets, maybe a small wall change, updated electrical, and mid‑range finishes. No major structural steel, no full addition, but definitely more than a paint job.

Weeks 1–3: Design, permits, and ordering

You work with a designer or contractor to finalize the layout, cabinet plan, and appliance list. This is also when you:

• Confirm electrical upgrades (many older homes need more circuits for modern appliances; the U.S. Department of Energy has good background on energy use and appliance loads at energy.gov).
• Get any required permits from your local building department.
• Order cabinets (often 6–10 weeks lead time for semi‑custom) and major appliances.

In 2024–2025, supply chains are more stable than they were in 2020–2021, but specialty appliances and custom cabinets can still take a while. Your timetable should start from the cabinet delivery date, not from when you sign the contract.

Weeks 4–5: Pre‑demo prep and temporary kitchen

You set up a temporary kitchen in another room with a microwave, toaster oven, and maybe a portable induction cooktop. The CDC has general guidance on safe food storage and handling that’s handy when you’re improvising cooking spaces and refrigeration (cdc.gov/foodsafety).

You also:

• Clear cabinets and pack dishes in labeled boxes.
• Protect floors in adjacent rooms.
• Confirm dumpster and material delivery dates.

Weeks 6–7: Demo and rough‑in

The old kitchen comes out: cabinets, countertops, backsplash, sometimes flooring. Then trades move in:

• Electrician runs new circuits, moves outlets, and sets boxes for lighting.
• Plumber moves or replaces supply and drain lines as needed.
• HVAC crew may adjust vents or add a proper range hood vent.

A city or county inspector may visit to check rough‑in work. You can usually find your local inspection requirements through your city’s .gov site or county building department.

Week 8: Insulation, drywall, and flooring

Once rough‑in passes inspection, walls are insulated (if exterior) and drywalled. Mud, tape, and sanding take several days, especially if humidity is high. Some contractors install flooring now; others wait until after cabinets to avoid damage. Both approaches can work—just build it into your timetable.

Weeks 9–10: Cabinet installation

Cabinets arrive and are installed. This is a big milestone in most examples of a kitchen renovation timetable because everything else—countertops, backsplash, trim—depends on cabinets being in their final position.

You’ll see a lot of measuring, shimming, and leveling. If something is off even a fraction of an inch, it can cause headaches later with appliances or countertop seams.

Week 11: Countertops, appliances, and trim

Countertop fabricators template once cabinets are installed, then return about a week later for installation. After that:

• The sink and faucet are installed.
• The dishwasher, range, and refrigerator move into place.
• Baseboards, crown molding, and other trim go in.

You usually regain a functioning sink and most appliances this week, even if the kitchen isn’t 100% finished.

Week 12: Backsplash, paint, and punch list

Tile setters install backsplash and grout. Painters do final coats and touch‑ups. Then you and your contractor walk the space and create a punch list: cabinet door adjustments, caulking gaps, paint dings, and any small fixes.

This 10–12 week layout is one of the best examples of a kitchen renovation timetable for a full‑gut project that doesn’t involve adding square footage.

High‑end custom kitchen: extended timetable example

If you’re knocking down walls, moving windows, adding a patio door, or building a chef‑style kitchen with custom cabinetry, your timetable stretches. Here’s an example of a kitchen renovation timetable for a 14–20 week project.

Design and approvals (4–8 weeks)
You work through multiple design revisions, structural engineering (if you’re removing load‑bearing walls), and possibly HOA reviews. Permitting can take longer in dense cities.

Ordering long‑lead items (overlaps design)
Custom cabinets, specialty appliances, and custom windows or doors can take 10–16 weeks. Your contractor may schedule the job so that demo starts closer to confirmed delivery dates.

Construction phase (10–12+ weeks)
This includes:

• Structural work (beams, posts, framing changes)
• Window and door modifications
• Full electrical panel upgrades
• Radiant floor heating or other comfort upgrades
• Premium finishes (stone slabs, custom millwork)

These real examples include more buffer time for inspections, material delays, and detailed finish work. In a high‑end project, rushing is usually more expensive than waiting.

Small kitchen, big city: timetable example for tight spaces

Apartments and row houses bring their own fun: limited elevator time, restricted work hours, and neighbors who don’t want to hear a tile saw at 7 a.m.

Here’s an example of a kitchen renovation timetable for a small urban space:

Weeks 1–4: Design, building approvals, and scheduling
You submit plans to your building management or HOA. They may have rules about work hours, elevator reservations, and debris removal. This alone can add a couple of weeks.

Weeks 5–6: Demo and rough‑in
Because work hours are limited, tasks that might take one week in a house can stretch into two. Trades need to coordinate elevator use and deliveries.

Weeks 7–8: Drywall, flooring, and cabinets
Smaller spaces can be faster to finish, but the logistics (no driveway, no garage storage) slow things down. Cabinets might be staged off‑site and brought in phases.

Weeks 9–10: Countertops, backsplash, and final inspections
Many buildings require separate inspections by both the city and the building’s own engineer or superintendent, so build that into your timetable.

This is one of the more realistic examples of a kitchen renovation timetable for people in condos or co‑ops.

DIY‑heavy timetable example (nights and weekends)

If you’re handy and planning to do a lot of work yourself, the calendar looks very different. The work is the same, but the pace changes because you’re squeezing it around your day job.

Here’s a DIY‑leaning example of a kitchen renovation timetable for a modest 1960s kitchen with no major structural changes:

Month 1: Planning, demo, and rough‑in
You spend weeknights planning and weekends demolishing old cabinets and flooring. You may hire a licensed electrician and plumber for the rough‑in work, but you coordinate their visits around your availability.

Month 2: Drywall, flooring, and cabinet assembly
You hang and finish drywall on weekends, lay new flooring, and assemble flat‑pack cabinets in the evenings. Expect to live with boxes of cabinet parts in your living room for a while.

Month 3: Cabinet install and countertops
You or a hired installer hang cabinets. Countertop pros come in for template and install. You probably eat a lot of takeout this month.

Month 4: Backsplash, trim, and final paint
You tackle tile and trim at your own pace. Nights and weekends mean tasks stretch longer, but you can save significant labor costs.

This is one of the most relatable real examples of a kitchen renovation timetable for homeowners who want sweat equity.

2024–2025 trends that affect your kitchen timetable

When you look at examples of examples of a kitchen renovation timetable from a few years ago, they often underestimate today’s realities. A few trends to keep in mind:

1. Lead times are better, but not instant
Supply chains have largely stabilized, but specialty items—like custom range hoods, panel‑ready appliances, and certain imported tiles—can still take 8–12 weeks. Your timetable should be built around confirmed delivery dates, not wishful thinking.

2. Labor availability varies by region
In hot real estate markets, good contractors and trades are booked out months in advance. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks construction employment trends at bls.gov, which can give you a sense of how tight the market is in your area.

3. Health and safety awareness is higher
More homeowners are paying attention to indoor air quality and dust control during renovations. Using proper ventilation and dust barriers, and sometimes scheduling professional cleaning after construction, can add a few days but makes the home healthier to live in. Organizations like the EPA offer guidance on indoor air quality and renovation safety (epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq).

4. Energy efficiency upgrades
Many people now coordinate kitchen work with panel upgrades, induction ranges, and better ventilation. That can add time up front but pays off in comfort and utility bills later.

These factors explain why newer examples of a kitchen renovation timetable often show slightly longer or more padded schedules than older blog posts.

How to adapt these examples of a kitchen renovation timetable to your life

Every home, contractor, and family situation is different, but you can steal the bones of these real examples and customize them.

Start by:

• Picking the example that feels closest to your project scope.
• Marking down fixed points: cabinet delivery, countertop template, and planned vacations or holidays.
• Deciding how much of the work you’ll DIY versus hire out.

Then, add buffer time:

• A few extra days after demo (you never know what’s in those walls).
• An extra week between cabinet install and countertop install.
• A few days at the end for punch list work and deep cleaning.

If you’re living in the home during the project, also schedule:

• Easy, low‑prep meals or meal delivery.
• Quiet days with no work for your own sanity.
• A safe zone for kids and pets away from tools and dust.

The best examples of a kitchen renovation timetable are the ones that look honest on paper and still feel livable in real life.

FAQ: Short examples of timetable questions homeowners ask

Q: Can you give a quick example of a 4‑week kitchen renovation timetable?
A: Four weeks is tight and usually only works for a small, mostly cosmetic update with no layout changes. A rough example: Week 1 for planning and ordering in‑stock items, Week 2 for demo and rough‑in, Week 3 for cabinets and countertops (prefab or laminate), and Week 4 for backsplash, paint, and punch list. You’d need all materials ready to go and a very organized contractor.

Q: What are realistic examples of delays that can stretch my timetable?
A: Common examples include hidden water damage behind cabinets, outdated wiring that fails inspection, backordered appliances, or a countertop slab arriving damaged and needing re‑order. Weather can also slow exterior work if you’re moving windows or doors.

Q: Are there examples of a kitchen renovation timetable where I can still cook?
A: Yes. In some examples of examples of a kitchen renovation timetable, contractors phase work so you keep a working fridge and microwave, and sometimes even the range, until the last possible moment. You can also set up a temporary kitchen with a mini fridge, microwave, and portable cooktop in another room.

Q: How far in advance should I start planning based on these examples?
A: For most mid‑range projects, start design and contractor interviews at least 3–6 months before you want demo to begin. That gives time for design, permits, and ordering long‑lead items so your timetable doesn’t stall halfway through.

Q: Where can I find more examples of good renovation planning?
A: Your local city or county building department website (.gov) often has homeowner guides for permits and inspections. Extension programs from universities (look for .edu sites) sometimes publish renovation planning checklists and budgeting tools that pair nicely with the examples of a kitchen renovation timetable you’ve seen here.

If you treat these real‑world examples of a kitchen renovation timetable as a starting point—not a rigid script—you’ll be miles ahead of where most homeowners begin. Write your version down, tape it to the fridge (or what’s left of it), and adjust as you go. That’s how real projects actually get finished.