A full kitchen remodel typically takes 3 to 4 weeks of on-site work once cabinets and materials are ready. Before demolition, plan on 1 to 2 weeks for design and selections and 2 to 6 weeks for cabinets and appliances to arrive. Most of the waiting happens before work starts, not during it.
The process starts with a free in-home consultation to measure the kitchen and set a working budget. Design and selections take about 1 to 2 weeks, covering the layout, 3D renderings, and choices for cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures and lighting. Ordering follows, and this is the longest stretch. Cabinet and appliance lead times vary by manufacturer, usually 2 to 6 weeks, with full custom cabinetry at the longer end. Legacy confirms delivery dates before scheduling demolition, so your kitchen is not torn out while you wait for parts.
Once work begins, the on-site schedule is fairly predictable. Week one covers protecting floors and nearby rooms, demolition, and plumbing and electrical rough-in in the existing locations. Weeks two and three are cabinet installation, countertop templating and installation, and backsplash tile. Countertops are usually templated after the cabinets are set and installed a week or so later. The final days cover appliances, fixtures, lighting, trim and paint, and a walkthrough of every detail with you.
A few things can stretch the schedule. Changing selections after cabinets are ordered restarts the lead time, and problems found behind the walls, like old pipe or water damage, add time to repair. Choosing your appliances and finishes early and keeping the existing layout are the best ways to stay on schedule. Keeping the layout also keeps the project within the scope that does not require a building permit, so there is no wait for plan review.
Answered by Legacy Construction & Design · CA License #790442 · October 2026