Kitchen renovations are daunting tasks. Picking out a new look and feel of a space is one thing, but function-heavy areas like a kitchen require a much more involved design process. You need to think about utilities, storage space, and your construction schedule. So how long does it take to completely remodel a kitchen?
On average, a complete kitchen remodel will take 2-3 months, but that always depends on many factors. You might need closer to double that amount of time for more significant renovations, where you might need to take down a wall or two, rearrange utility lines, and completely replace all furnishings and fixtures. If mostly cosmetic, where you repaint the walls, replace the tiles, or maybe install some brand new appliances, it may take less than a month.
So before you start remodeling your kitchen, here are a few factors you should consider to minimize construction time.
Budget
The first thing you need to think about is the cost. This dictates almost all other aspects of the remodel. Are you willing to pay for designers and contractors or would you rather take care of it yourself? Are you looking to pay everything out of pocket or are you looking to avail of a construction loan? What kind of changes can you afford with the remodel?
At this point, you should familiarize yourself with the Iron Triangle. Good, Fast, Cheap – pick two.
If you’re working with a tighter budget, expect the kitchen remodel to either be fast or cheap. But it can rarely be all three.
DIY Remodeling
There are two phases to any kitchen renovation: the planning phase and the construction phase. For either of those, you can decide to work with industry professionals or you can try to go down the DIY route.
Seasoned DIY homeowners have a big advantage. They have the skills and the know-how to undertake major renovations by themselves almost as well as professionals can. They’re able to minimize the costs of construction as well as the timeframe of the process while also being sure of the quality of the finished work.
Doing complete kitchen remodels DIY will usually take longer since there are simply fewer hands on deck. Some may say that working alone does away with unnecessary back-and-forth and so that helps them finish things faster. But the bigger the project, the less that’s likely to make a difference.
For DIY novices, it is highly recommended to hire kitchen remodeling professionals if you’re planning a complete and major renovation. And especially if it matters how long the kitchen remodeling would take. It’s a big enough project that basic kitchen renovation experience should be mandatory. There are other simpler projects for beginners to try so they can first get the hang of DIY remodeling.
Professional Designers
Commissioning kitchen designers can seem to be initially pricey, both in time and money. But if you’re working with seasoned professionals, you avoid making costly mistakes that eventually have to get fixed. Having them with you during the design process eliminates a lot of the guesswork that comes with planning a design yourself. Especially for first-time kitchen remodelers, this gives you peace of mind during the whole remodeling process.
If you do decide to work with dedicated designers for the planning phase, expect to add an extra month before actual construction starts.
Professional Contractors
The actual construction phase of the kitchen remodel can either be done by hired contractors or by the homeowner wishing to try out DIY. The DIY route saves a lot of money, but it is important to assess your initial skill level and experience before jumping on that train. You might end up spending more trying to fix your construction mistakes.
Almost always, hiring contractors will get the job done quickly and properly, but it will probably cost quite a bit more than if you decided to take on the job yourself.
Unavailable Kitchen
A bulk of remodeling jobs have to do with the finishes of the room. This means that homeowners are still able to use essential kitchen appliances and fixtures needed for cooking and cleaning. So it won’t be like the kitchen will be unavailable for use the whole time it’s being remodeled.
On average, kitchens will be out of commission for 6 weeks with larger remodeling projects. So plan your daily meals accordingly for that period. And if you can, ask your contractor to prioritize giving you a temporary space with access to a sink, a portable stove or microwave, and a refrigerator. So you don’t have to keep ordering takeout for a whole month and a half.
Minimizing Delays
In preventing delays, it’s essential to plan as thoroughly as you can and to avoid big design changes mid-construction. Make the necessary material orders on time, and keep clear communication lines with all professionals involved in the remodel. Staying on top of a project like this gets you done as quickly as possible without major incidents or issues.
Here are a few things to keep in mind for a kitchen remodel that would affect construction time:
1. Layout
Take note of the basic kitchen work triangle. This divides the kitchen into three different zones: storage, wet work, and cooking. This means that you should note where your refrigerator, your sink, and your cooking range are located relative to each other.
If they’re not too far or too near each other, then the workflow in your current kitchen layout works as is. No need to change anything up. If it doesn’t work, however, a lot of planning has to go into figuring out a better layout. And inevitably, that also means it would take longer to remodel the space.
2. Plumbing Fixtures
It’s usually a bit intimidating to homeowners when they have to rework their plumbing. Unfortunately, remodeling a kitchen means you have to deal with the plumbing connected to kitchen fixtures and appliances.
In cases where the owners decide not to move around any of the existing fixtures, it is still necessary to be aware of where the current pipes are laid. Remodeling and rearranging counters and cabinets in a kitchen might interfere with an existing water line.
A burst pipe is a surefire way of making your kitchen remodel take longer to finish.
3. Appliances and Lighting
Kitchen appliances need dedicated power sources or connections to water supply and sewage lines. Some, like a dishwasher, need both. Take note of all the requirements of the kitchen appliances you plan on using and make sure they’re all met.
The same goes for all the lighting fixtures you wish to install. The perfect placement for that pendant lamp that you want to use for your kitchen island might not have enough space for a power supply.
Make thorough notes and measurements even before you start remodeling to minimize construction time.
4. Ventilation
The relocation of ovens, cooktops, and range hoods has a big impact on the kitchen. Always keep in mind that the ventilation systems for these are set up so that they transfer out all the smoke and smells from your kitchen to the outside. Be aware of how these vents are set up and what you would like to do with them when remodeling.
Additionally, make sure you have an adequate amount of fresh air coming in through operable windows in your kitchen. Adding new windows is a big part of most kitchen renovations.
5. Storage and Countertops
How many cabinets do you need to store everything in your kitchen? Will they be over the counter, under, or both? What kind of material do you want to use for your countertops?
These are just a few questions you need to ask yourself when remodeling your kitchen. Take note of how much space you need for your kitchen’s storage and pantry.
Kitchen cabinets and countertops, for the most part, dictate the look and feel of a kitchen more than any other elements. So you’ll also need to carefully plan out the material finishes and hardware you’ll be using. More often than not, countertops and cabinetry are custom-made and take the longest to order and install.
How Long Will It Take?
So can you completely remodel your kitchen in three months? Only if you’re willing to put in the work. But with all that we’ve covered in this article, you might be thinking that there are quite a lot of things to consider when remodeling a kitchen.
Taking your time to think about these thoroughly and carefully doesn’t cost anything. And doing so will ultimately save you money, labor, and overall construction time when you actually do decide to push through with the renovation.
So use the information in this article to do thorough research on how you want to remodel your kitchen. Hire the right professionals, be decisive with your choices, and you’ll have your dream kitchen in no time.