How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?

The short answer: Most kitchen renovations take 4 to 8 weeks of on-site work. Before that, expect 2 to 6 months of design, then 4 to 6 weeks for cabinets to arrive once the design is final. Cabinet lead times, layout changes, and whatever turns up behind the walls or under the floor are what push a job toward the long end.

That range is honest, but it's not very useful on its own. So here's where the time actually goes, and how to keep yours on the short side.

A real example: 7 weeks, demo to done

The Soke Kitchen took 7 weeks on site in May and June 2026. That job included new Laurysen cabinets in two painted greys, a larger pantry, Dekton countertops, a tiled backsplash, and a full new floor through the kitchen and hallway.

Most of those 7 weeks went where you'd expect: demolition, floor prep and tile, setting cabinets, waiting on the countertop template, then backsplash, fixtures, and trim. The floor needed a few extra days once the old tile came up, because the subfloor had to be screwed down and levelled before 24" porcelain could go down. That's typical of what you only find once demo starts, and it's why a good timeline leaves some room.

Where the time goes

Every kitchen is different, but the stages are the same. These are typical ranges for a full renovation.

Before demo: design and ordering (a few months)

This is the longest stage, and your kitchen stays usable the whole time. Design, measurements, and a written estimate come first. Getting a cabinet layout right usually takes a few rounds of revisions, and depending on how many, design can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months.

Once the design is final and the deposit is paid, Laurysen cabinets take about 4 weeks to arrive, and closer to 6 in winter, which is their busy season. Demo is scheduled around the delivery date, so nothing comes apart until the cabinets are on their way.

Demolition (1 to 3 days)

Cabinets, counters, backsplash, and often flooring come out. This is the loud part, and it goes fast.

Rough-ins and repairs (a few days to 2 weeks)

Plumbing and electrical get moved or upgraded, walls get opened or patched, and anything hidden gets dealt with: old wiring, a subfloor that isn't level, or work from a past renovation that needs redoing. If permits are involved, inspections happen here. Most surprises show up at this stage.

Floors, drywall, and paint (about 1 week)

The subfloor gets levelled, flooring goes in, and walls get patched and painted. A lot of this is drying and curing time you can't rush.

Cabinet installation (2 to 5 days)

The room starts to look like a kitchen again. Cabinets get set, levelled, and secured, along with hardware and pull-outs.

Countertops (1 to 3 weeks of waiting)

Stone and engineered countertops like quartz and Dekton can't be measured until the cabinets are in. The fabricator templates them on site, cuts them in their shop, and comes back to install. That gap is the most common reason a kitchen feels like it's stalled. We plan other work into it so it doesn't drag.

Backsplash, fixtures, and finishing (3 to 7 days)

Tile, sink and faucet, appliances, lighting, trim, and touch-ups.

Final walkthrough (1 to 2 days)

We go through the kitchen together and fix anything on the list before calling it done.

What makes a kitchen take longer

Three things account for most delays.

Design revisions. Every round of layout changes adds time before anything can be ordered. Settling the big decisions early (layout, cabinet style, colours) keeps design closer to 2 months than 6.

Moving the layout. Keeping the sink, range, and fridge where they are is faster. Moving them means new plumbing, electrical, and sometimes venting, plus inspections.

What's behind the walls. Older homes in North Bay can hide old wiring and floors that aren't level. You can't know until things come apart, so a good timeline leaves room for it.

How to keep your renovation on schedule

Start the design early. If you want a new kitchen by summer, the conversation should start in winter.

Make your decisions before demo, not during. Cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures, and paint colours should all be picked before the first cabinet comes out. Every choice made mid-job is a chance for something to sit on back order.

Have a plan for living without a kitchen. A microwave, a kettle, and a folding table in the dining room will carry you further than you'd think.

And get your timeline in writing. Any contractor should be able to walk you through the stages above for your kitchen specifically.

Frequently asked questions

Can I live in my house during a kitchen renovation?

Yes, most people do. Expect dust, noise, and no kitchen sink for a few weeks. We seal off the work area with plastic and protect the rest of the house before any dusty work starts.

How long does a small kitchen renovation take?

A smaller job, like new cabinets and countertops in the same layout, can come in under 4 weeks on site. The design and cabinet delivery time before demo still applies, and the countertop wait is usually the biggest factor once work starts.

Why do contractors give a range instead of an exact date?

Because some of what decides the timeline isn't visible until demolition. A range that accounts for that is more honest than a date that falls apart in week 2.

Planning a kitchen in North Bay?

We build kitchens across North Bay and the Nipissing District. If you're thinking about a kitchen renovation, get in touch and we'll walk you through a written estimate and a realistic timeline for your space.