Ask how long a kitchen remodel takes and you'll usually hear the construction number: 6 to 12 weeks. That's true, but it leaves out everything before demolition.
Before demolition (4 to 8 weeks)
Planning and selections. Layout decisions, cabinet specifications, counters, tile, lighting, hardware. Done properly, the selections are final before demo day. Done poorly, decisions get made mid-project and the schedule slips a week for each one.
Ordering and lead times. Cabinets are the pacing item. Semi-custom lines often run several weeks from order to delivery. Starting demolition before cabinets are confirmed is how kitchens sit gutted for a month, so we don't do it.
Construction (6 to 12 weeks)
- Week 1: Protection, demolition, and discovery. Any surprises behind the walls show up now, early on, when they're cheapest to address.
- Weeks 2 to 3: Rough plumbing, electrical, framing changes, inspections.
- Weeks 4 to 6: Drywall, paint, flooring, and cabinet installation.
- Weeks 6 to 8: Counter templating and fabrication (counters are measured off the installed cabinets, so this gap is unavoidable), then tile backsplash.
- Final weeks: Plumbing and lighting trim-out, appliances, hardware, punch list, and a room-by-room walkthrough with you.
What moves the timeline
Layout changes, structural openings, and special-order materials extend it. Clear decisions made early shorten it. The single best thing a homeowner can do for their own schedule is finish selections before construction starts. We build that into our process on purpose.
Budget and schedule travel together, so read the Cost & Investment Guide alongside this. If you're planning a kitchen remodel in Sun City, Bluffton, or anywhere in the Lowcountry, request a consultation and we'll map your project's real timeline. Our Process & Timeline FAQ covers the other questions we hear most.
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Kitchen Remodeling
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