It’s not uncommon for people to start planning their kitchen renovation in the early fall, hoping they can have it ready to entertain for the holidays, only to end up with a non-functioning kitchen during one of the busiest times of the year.
The best way to guarantee that your newly-renovated kitchen will be ready to enjoy with your family this December is to start planning early!
Designing a custom kitchen requires a significant investment of time and mental energy by both the homeowner and the design/build team. There are many nuances and options to consider when designing a kitchen space. Making it an enjoyable experience while getting the best value for your investment means leaving yourself ample time to explore and weigh the options.
A healthy timeline for a design-build scenario is as follows:
Discovery Phase: Timeline Determined by Customer
Discovery starts the moment you decide that you want to renovate your kitchen. It includes all of the research you need to inspire you and help get a realistic perspective on your project. If you’re reading this article, chances are you are in the discovery phase right now! Determining your project wish-list, the scope of your project, your expectations of material quality/finish and, maybe most importantly, gathering information to support a realistic budget for the size of your renovation are all part of this phase. By the end of the discovery phase, you should have decided who you would like to work with on your new kitchen design.
Everyone is different in this regard. Some will take longer to decide to proceed with a kitchen renovation, and others will decide very quickly. The rest of this article relates to the time it typically takes after customers have reached the decision point.
Design Phase: 2 – 3 weeks
Once you have determined the project scope, your expectations, and the financial investment you want to make in your new kitchen, it’s time for the fun part! An experienced creative team will consult with you and help guide you with the layout, products, and design features that are in-line with your budget. During this phase, your design team can be on the look-out for items that have a long “lead time” or could otherwise pose a threat to the project schedule.
Detailed Estimate Phase: 2 – 3 weeks
Once the initial design has been completed, the cost of the new kitchen can be estimated. You’ll want to put your trust in an experienced kitchen renovator. Good communication between the designer and the renovator at all stages of the project is essential for a successful result. Kitchens & Bathrooms First offers all of these services under one roof ensuring a very smooth transition from design to build.
Our estimators will take your new kitchen design and convert it into a detailed work plan, product list, and project timeline. All of this information will then be presented and explained to you. Once you decide to proceed, you will be asked to sign a contract for the work to be performed and for the products and materials being used to renovate your kitchen.
Ordering and Procurement Phase: 4 – 6 weeks
Typically the items with the longest lead time are kitchen cabinets. From the date the order is placed, it can take 6 to 7 weeks for the cabinets to reach our warehouse. All products and materials received in our warehouse are checked for accuracy and completeness before being sent to you. Once all the products are accounted for, the actual renovation can be scheduled.
Renovation Phase: 4 – 6 weeks
You can expect your kitchen to be inaccessible for at least 3 and up to 8 weeks, depending on the size and complexity of your kitchen and on whether you are having custom granite or quartz countertops. Custom stone countertops can only be fabricated after your base cabinets are in place and accurate measurements are taken on site.
To sum it all up, you should allow approximately 4 months for a basic kitchen renovation. Larger and more complex kitchens can take even longer.
If you want a new kitchen for the holidays, you need to start now.
At Kitchens and Bathrooms First, we offer comprehensive design and renovation services with over 16 years of experience and hundreds of completed projects. We would be thrilled to partner with you in your kitchen and bathroom renovation endeavours!
