The kitchen is often described as the heart of the home. For many families in Northern Illinois, it has multiple uses, from food preparation and dining to homework headquarters and socialization central.
There comes a time for numerous homeowners, however, when the kitchen no longer serves its purpose as best it could. When that happens, a kitchen renovation can help improve the function and aesthetic appeal of the space, making it altogether more convenient and comfortable for your family.
How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take?
As you prepare for your home improvement project, one of the first questions you may ask is, “How long should a kitchen renovation take?” Cost and budget are important factors for homeowners when it comes to remodeling, yet there is no concise answer on either subject.
The duration of a kitchen renovation averages between three to five months, including the design phase, but your exact kitchen remodeling timeline depends on several factors, such as the size and scope of the project and the amount of customization you decide to include. If you’re expanding your kitchen or changing the layout or location of major kitchen components, expect to spend several months on the project.
Kitchen Remodel Timeline
To get a better idea of how long your kitchen remodel may take, it can help to break down the project into individual tasks, from planning and preparation to installing cabinets and replacing countertops. Here are the average time frames to help you plan your kitchen renovation in Sycamore:
Planning and Design (1-3 Months)
The first step of your kitchen improvement project involves making plans, hiring a general contractor, and designing the renovation. This typically takes about one to two months, depending on the size of your kitchen and complexity of your vision. During this phase, you prioritize your project goals, identifying what you like about your existing kitchen and what you want to change. You also should establish your preliminary budget, although you won’t have exact numbers until after the design is finalized and you’ve selected materials and products. You will be able to select your materials from a wide selection of trusted brands and partners, and our in house interior designer will be able to assist you with whatever you pick.
Next, your kitchen renovation moves into the pre-construction phase, which can take another couple of weeks. At this point, your remodeling contractor develops a detailed construction schedule and budget, orders materials, lines up trade partners, and pulls any local permits your project may require. The team also verifies measurements, starts preparing the job site, and helps you set up a temporary kitchen space somewhere in your house if you need it.
Related: What Should Be Included in a Remodeling Contract
Kitchen Remodeling Construction Phase (2-3 Months)
With all the pieces in order, your team is ready to being your in-home kitchen remodel in Northern Illinois. The construction phase generally takes between six to eight weeks, beginning with a few days for demolition. To start, the remodeling crew removes any cabinetry, flooring, and kitchen appliances you plan to replace. The extent of demolition depends on whether you’re primarily focused on cosmetic upgrades or fully renovating the space to make it feel like new.
Next, it can take two to four weeks to install your new kitchen cabinetry, shelves, flooring, and countertops. If you selected imported or customized options for these kitchen components, it may take a little longer to complete. From there, your team starts putting in the new appliances and light fixtures and getting them hooked up to your plumbing and electrical systems.
At that point, it’s mostly surface-level work—or putting on the finishing touches. Your remodeler adds your tile backsplash, cabinet hardware, and a fresh coat of paint. These elements generally take about four days to a week.
If your kitchen remodel involves expanding the space or shifting the layout, you should also factor in several extra days—if not a week or so—for additional plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work, which may take place at various points within the construction phase. Removing walls and extending the foundation also adds to the kitchen remodeling timeline.
Clean-up and Inspection (1 Week)
Your project then moves into the final stage, which can last a few days. First, your remodeling team cleans up the job site and gets it ready for you to view. During your final walk-through, you contractor marks items off a kitchen remodeling checklist and familiarizes you with your new space. You also have the opportunity to address concerns, ask questions, or point out anything that needs to be touched up. Additionally, a building inspector may look over the renovated space to ensure various elements are up to code.
Once these tasks are complete, you are ready to once again use your kitchen and enjoy the newfound comfort and convenience it offers.
The Design-Build Remodeling Process
The benefit of using a design-build team, such as Ken Spears Construction, for your kitchen renovation is that it streamlines communication and increases efficiency. From the initial consultation with our team to project completion, we collaborate with you to capture you vision and turn it into reality.
We meet with you at your home from the start so we can understand the space and how you typically use it. From there, we design your kitchen remodel using the input we gathered at our onsite meeting. We also provide assistance as you select materials for your renovation, giving you time to feel confident about each choice and get valuable input from the person who is actually overseeing construction. This enables you to do value-engineering and incorporate cost-saving decisions during the design phase, giving you more control over your budget.
As part of our design-build process, we also involve our building trade professionals after we have developed a plan so they can understand the scope of the project and give feedback on your remodeling costs. During construction, we stay in contact with you about the progress and field any questions you might have.
Renovating Your Kitchen in Northern Illinois
Our goal at Ken Spears Construction is to not only create the beautiful, functional kitchen you desire but also to provide support and transparency throughout the entire process. If you’re ready to start planning your kitchen remodel in the DeKalb area, contact our team to set up a consultation.
