The most common complaint homeowners have about kitchen remodels is that they took longer than expected. That surprise usually comes from not knowing which parts take the most time before the work even starts.
A full kitchen remodel for most homes takes 6 to 12 weeks from the day demo begins to the day you cook in the finished kitchen. The planning and ordering phase before demo adds another 4 to 8 weeks. Here is what happens each week and where the delays come from.
Week 1 to 2: Planning and Permits
This phase finalizes the design and gets the permit submitted. Cabinet layout, appliance locations, electrical panel requirements and any wall changes are decided here.
In Denver, permits for kitchen remodels typically take 2 to 4 weeks to process. Some suburban jurisdictions move faster. The permit cannot be skipped if you are moving electrical, plumbing or gas lines. A kitchen remodeled without permits can cause problems when you sell the home.
Do Not Wait for the Permit to Order Cabinets
Semi-custom cabinets take 4 to 8 weeks from order to delivery. The permit review and cabinet production can happen at the same time. Order cabinets the week after the permit is submitted, not after it is approved. This single move takes 4 to 6 weeks off the total project length.
Week 2 to 4: Ordering Cabinets and Appliances
Cabinet lead times are the most common cause of kitchen remodel delays. Stock cabinets ship in days. Semi-custom cabinets take 4 to 8 weeks. Custom cabinets take 8 to 12 weeks or more.
Appliances are the second variable. Popular models go on backorder. If you have a specific refrigerator or range in mind, check availability before finalizing the layout around it. Changing appliance dimensions after cabinets are ordered is expensive.
Stock cabinets
1 to 2 weeks from order
Semi-custom cabinets
4 to 8 weeks from order
Custom cabinets
8 to 16 weeks from order
Countertops (templated after cabinet install)
1 to 3 weeks from template
Appliances (in-stock models)
1 to 2 weeks
Appliances (popular/backordered models)
4 to 12 weeks
Week 4 to 6: Demo (When Permit Clears)
Once the permit is approved, demo begins. Old cabinets come out, appliances are disconnected and removed, and any walls that are moving get opened up. This phase looks chaotic but typically runs 2 to 5 days for a standard kitchen.
This is also when hidden problems surface. Water damage behind the sink cabinet, outdated wiring, or undersized drain lines all show up during demo. A good contractor will photograph everything before covering it back up and discuss the scope change with you before proceeding.
Week 6 to 8: Rough-In Work
Rough-in is the phase where plumbing, electrical and HVAC vents get repositioned or upgraded. If you are adding a kitchen island with a prep sink, the drain and supply lines run under the floor during this phase.
A rough-in inspection is required before walls close. This is a hard stop: the inspector has to see the work before drywall goes up. Schedule this inspection early, because inspector availability varies by jurisdiction. In some Denver suburbs this can add 3 to 5 business days to the project.
Week 8 to 10: Drywall, Cabinets and Countertop Template
After inspection, walls close and drywall is finished. Cabinet installation follows immediately. Cabinets are the reference point for everything else: countertops, appliances and tile all get measured and cut against the installed cabinet layout.
The countertop templater comes after cabinets are set and level. Countertops are cut to fit the actual installed cabinets, not the design drawings. Templating takes about an hour and the countertops are fabricated from that template over the next 1 to 2 weeks.
Week 10 to 11: Countertops, Tile and Appliances
Countertops go in first. Tile backsplash follows because it runs up to the underside of the upper cabinets and sits on top of the countertop edge. Sequence matters: backsplash cut after countertop install, not before.
Appliances are connected and tested during this phase. The range hood vents out, the dishwasher ties into the sink plumbing and the refrigerator waterline is connected if there is a built-in ice maker.
Week 11 to 12: Trim, Hardware and Final Inspection
Cabinet hardware, light fixtures, outlet covers and switch plates go in. Paint touch-up happens last because it is the final layer and covers any small scuffs from installation work.
A final inspection is required before the permit closes. The inspector confirms that all electrical and plumbing work matches the permit. After sign-off, the project is complete.
What Causes Kitchen Remodel Delays
Most delays trace back to three things, and all three can be managed if you plan for them upfront.
Permit processing time: submit early, do not wait until you are ready to start demo
Cabinet lead times: order the week the permit is submitted, not after approval
Hidden water damage behind walls or under subfloor: budget time and money for discovery
How to Keep Your Kitchen Remodel on Schedule
Order cabinets the day the permit is submitted
The biggest accelerator available to you. Permit review and cabinet production run in parallel instead of in sequence.
Set up a temporary kitchen before demo
A microwave, mini fridge and coffee maker in the dining room or a spare room makes the weeks without a kitchen functional instead of miserable. Demo the day your temp kitchen is ready.
Make all selections before demo starts
Cabinet hardware, tile, fixtures and paint colors decided after demo starts cause the contractor to wait on you. Finish all selections in the planning phase.
Confirm appliance availability before finalizing layout
A 36-inch range that is backordered 10 weeks changes the schedule. Check availability on every appliance before drawing the layout around it.
Kitchen Remodel Costs
Cost depends on kitchen size, cabinet grade, countertop material and how much plumbing and electrical moves. See our full kitchen remodel cost guide for detailed breakdowns.
Denver metro estimates for 2026. Costs vary by kitchen size and scope.
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