What is the timeline?
"When will my kitchen be done?" is one of the first questions I get. Here's how the cabinet and countertop part of a project typically goes on my jobs.
The sequence
Cabinets: around two weeks from order to delivery for the lines I usually work with. Custom work and some manufacturers take longer.
Installation: a few days, depending on the size of the kitchen.
Countertop template: scheduled a few days after install, with some buffer built in.
Countertop installation: usually about a week after templating.
From cabinet install to finished countertops, that's roughly two to three weeks. That's the cabinet and countertop portion, not the whole remodel.
Why the countertops wait
The fabricator templates off the installed, fastened cabinets. That's what makes the tops fit precisely. Templating from drawings alone invites expensive mistakes.
What slows things down
Selections made late, especially appliances and the sink.
Not having the sink and faucet on site for templating.
Backordered cabinets or hardware.
Changes after the order has been placed.
Flooring or other trades that aren't finished on schedule.
The bigger picture
A full remodel also includes demo, plumbing and electrical rough-in, inspections, drywall, flooring, backsplash, plumbing trim-out and appliance hookup. Cabinets are one important piece, and when they're planned early, they rarely hold up the rest of the job.
Planning a remodel and want a realistic schedule? I'm happy to walk through it with you and your contractor.
