What to Expect in a Kitchen Remodel: A Week-by-Week Guide

A kitchen remodel is exciting—but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming. Most stress comes from not knowing what’s coming next. The good news? Once you understand the process, everything feels far more manageable.

Here’s a simple, week-by-week look at what typically happens during a kitchen remodel.

Pre-Construction

There’s a lot of leg work prior to construction even begins on a kitchen renovation. We won’t spend much time on pre-construction, but we have listed some of the key items below and who is responsible.

Financing – Home Owner’s responsibility.
If you are intending to take out a loan for a kitchen renovation, we recommend beginning this process sooner rather than later! There are a lot of options to finance a kitchen renovation, but we’ll leave this to the financial professionals!

Design – Home Owner / Design Professional / Contractor.
We recommend including a professional designer during the design of your new kitchen. Key clearances, code requirements, electrical / mechanical requirements, structural considerations, and more should all be reviewed by a design professional. Additionally, we recommend including your selected Contractor during the design process to bring a practical and pragmatic point of view to your design meetings.

Building Permit – Licensed Contractor.
Your selected licensed contractor should apply for your building permit. Note that the Home Owner typically can apply for a building permit, however if you are not performing the work yourself, this can place the liability on yourself for any issues that arise during construction. We recommend leaving this to your licensed contractor.

Personal Planning. – Home Owner
This is a big one that often gets missed! Your kitchen is going to be out of action for 6-12 weeks – plan accordingly! This may include setting up a temporary food-prep area outside of your kitchen, moving your personal belongings from your kitchen to temporary storage, and more.

Week 1: Demo (Demolition)

This is where the transformation begins. Old cabinets, countertops, and appliances are removed to make way for the new design. It’s noisy and messy, but it’s also fast—and it clears the slate for everything to come.
Pro tip: make sure to communicate to your Contractor prior to demolition which items you want to salvage (keep) and what can be taken to the dump!

Week 2–3: Rough-In Work

Behind-the-scenes progress happens here. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC updates are completed to support your new layout and appliances. While it may not look exciting yet, this phase is critical for safety, function, and long-term performance.

Week 4–5: Cabinets & Layout Take Shape

Now it gets exciting. Walls are patched, new walls are built (If applicable), cabinets are installed, and your kitchen starts to look like a kitchen again. This step defines the space and brings your design to life in a big way.

Week 6–7: Finishes & Final Touches

Countertops, backsplash, flooring, lighting, and appliances go in. Paint is completed, hardware is installed, and details are fine-tuned. This is when everything comes together and the space truly feels finished.

Week 8: Wrapping it Up

The contractor will coordinate a walk through with you and develop a list of deficiencies. After deficiencies are identified the contractor will repair them and complete all final steps.

Final Step: Walkthrough & Enjoy

Design meetings are more than just a time to talk—they are a strategic tool for ensuring quality, efficiency, and collaboration across your organization. By committing to a consistent meeting cadence, you’re setting up your team for better communication, fewer surprises, and stronger project outcomes.

After final inspections and touch-ups, your new kitchen is ready to use—and enjoy for years to come.
Understanding the process removes the fear of the unknown and helps you feel confident every step of the way.

Want a tailored 3D plan and timeline for your kitchen?
We’d love to help you visualize your remodel before it begins.

Stay Safe, Build Strong, and Build Smart!