Kitchen remodeling is one of the largest single projects a homeowner can undertake, but can also be one of the most exciting and rewarding.
In this section, we will guide you step by step through the typical remodeling process for a normal size kitchen, though actual tasks and times will vary from project to project.
Planning and Design - The first step in any kitchen remodeling project should be to plan and design the space.
This includes, finalizing a budget, creating a layout, selecting materials, and choosing fixtures and accessories.
While you don't have to finalize everything during this phase, waiting and changing plans later on can lead to delays and increased costs if not handled correctly.
This is going to be the most important step of the entire process, so don’t take it lightly and try to wing it as you go. The better you plan, the more likely you are to complete your project on time and within budget.
Full demolition - During this process, everything will be removed as determined in your planning and design sessions, from cabinets, walls, flooring, appliances, fixtures, sink, etc; then dispose of all trash and debris in a dumpster to be hauled off.
If necessary, the kitchen will be taken down to the studs, meaning nothing is left except the basic frame of the kitchen, but typically the general walls and ceiling can remain.
Before the demolition even begins, barriers, walkways, and various other home protection
systems should be set up to protect your home from any damage, dust, and debris.
Depending on the extent of the demo needed and the size of the kitchen, this will typically take 1-2 days.
Kitchen prep - Once the space is demoed, it will take some time to prepare the kitchen by adding/moving any walls or doors, leveling floors, or making any repairs as necessary, such as, water damage, mold, or structural issues.
Again, depending on the size of the kitchen, layout changes, and the extent of any damages, this could take another 1-3 days.
Plumbing and Electrical - While the kitchen is completely stripped down to the studs, or close to it, this is the time for any plumbing and electrical work to be performed since everything inside the walls, ceiling, and floor is more easily accessible.
A licensed and insured plumber and electrician should perform these tasks to ensure everything is up to code and set up properly.
This is also the time to make any changes to the location of plumbing and lighting fixtures before the walls go up. Once the walls go up, making changes will add significant time and costs to the project.
On most occasions, plan on it only taking a day or less for each of the plumber and the electrician to complete their work, depending on the extent of the remodel and where fixtures are being moved.
Walls and ceiling - Once the plumbing and electrical components are complete, the walls and ceiling can be repaired as applicable using drywall.
While this may seem like a simple process, it can take 2-3 days to complete because the walls and ceiling will need to have joint tape and mud applied to cover the corners, holes, and imperfections.
The mud will then need to dry and get sanded smooth, then the process will need to be repeated another 1-2 times until the walls reach the desired texture.
Cabinets - Depending on the contractor, the cabinets can be installed before or after flooring.
At Heartwood Homes Remodeling, we choose to install cabinets first so they’re not sitting on the flooring just in case the homeowner ever decides to update the floor, it’s an easier process.
If the cabinets are custom-made, it could take weeks to build, but the installation should only take 2-3 days.
Another option with kitchen cabinets would be refinishing the current cabinets. In this case, the entire kitchen will need to be masked off, then depending on the current finish (paint or wood stain), the cabinets will need to be stripped and sanded until there is a smooth surface for the new finish to adhere to.
Overall, the process to refinish kitchen cabinets could take anywhere from 2-5 days depending on current condition and how they should be refinished.
Countertops - Once the new cabinets are installed, or previous ones refinshed, the countertops can be measured. Then it could be another week before it gets installed, during which time the countertop will be fabricated offsite. The actual installation of the countertops should take less than a day once ready, which will likely include the sink as well.
Flooring - The next step will involve laying the flooring, so depending on the type of flooring you choose, the time and cost will fluctuate.
Tile: This process will involve leveling the floor, installing a protective membrane to prevent cracking, installing the tile, filling in the cracks with grout, filling any expansion joints with silicone, sealing the floor, and wiping off the remaining haze. And don’t forget, in between each step, there will be drying time to ensure everything is set, meaning this process could take 4-5 days depending on the size of the space.
Vinyl: This will be the easiest type of flooring to install. It may require floor leveling, but then can be easily installed with a vapor barrier and walked on immediately. This would likely take 1-3 days for a space similar to the one previously mentioned.
Backsplash - As soon as the countertops are installed, the backsplash can be installed. This process is similar to the tile floors, though not as intensive. It may only take 1-2 days to complete.
Trim - Next, trim can be attached to the door and window frames, the base of the walls, and crown molding if applicable. Once nailed in, these will require the nail holes to be filled in and sanded smooth before painting.
Overall, this entire process should only take 1-2 days, unless dealing with more intricate crown molding.
Paint - With the walls, ceiling, and trim all in place, paint can then be applied. If dealing with new drywall or repaired areas, this will typically include one coat of primer and two coats of the primary color.
So, when you take into account the drying time in between coats, it can easily take 2-3 days to complete.
Finishings - Finally, the finishing touches can be installed, including things like appliances, faucets, lighting, knobs/handles, and so on.
This part of the process could take roughly 2-3 days to complete.
Clean and inspection - the last step is to perform a full inspection of the project to ensure everything is complete, and then clean the area thoroughly to ensure the home is left in better condition than before the project.
Again, depending on the size and complexity of the kitchen and the number of people working on the job, this is a process that should usually take 3-6 weeks to complete.
A kitchen remodel can be one of the most rewarding updates a homeowner can make, but there is a lot that goes into the process.
By getting familiar with these steps and timelines, you can ensure that your kitchen remodeling project is completed safely and efficiently, and that the end result is a space that you can enjoy for years to come.
Remember to plan carefully, hire professionals for any necessary work, and select high-quality materials that will stand up to the wear and tear of daily use.
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