Kitchen Remodeling Timeline: What to Expect from Start to Finish

A full kitchen remodel in Miami typically takes 8 to 14 weeks. Learn what happens during each phase, from permits and demolition through installation and final walkthrough, so you can plan accordingly.

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The kitchen remodel is consistently the most requested and most complex renovation project in residential construction. It touches every major trade, involves the longest lead times for materials, and disrupts daily life more than almost any other home improvement. The number one question homeowners ask before committing is simple: how long is this going to take?

The honest answer for a full kitchen remodel in the Miami-Dade and Broward County area is 8 to 14 weeks from demolition to completion, with an additional 2 to 6 weeks of pre-construction planning and permitting before any physical work begins. This timeline assumes standard complexity. Structural changes, custom cabinetry, or specialty materials can extend the schedule. Below is a detailed week-by-week breakdown of what to expect, along with practical advice for keeping your project on track.

Pre-Construction: Design, Selections, and Permitting (Weeks 1-6)

The pre-construction phase is where most of the critical decisions are made, and rushing through it is the single most common cause of delays and cost overruns later in the project. This phase typically spans two to six weeks depending on the complexity of your design and the speed of the permitting process in your municipality.

Design development begins with detailed measurements of your existing kitchen, followed by collaborative layout planning with your contractor and, if applicable, a kitchen designer. During this phase, you will finalize the floor plan, select cabinetry, choose countertop materials, specify appliances, pick tile and flooring, and make decisions about plumbing fixtures and lighting. Every selection you make before construction begins is a selection that will not cause a delay later.

Once the design is finalized, your contractor will prepare a detailed scope of work and submit permit applications. In Miami-Dade County, kitchen remodels that involve any plumbing relocation, electrical changes, or structural modifications require building permits. Permit review times vary by municipality but typically range from one to three weeks. Some municipalities offer expedited review for an additional fee. Your contractor should submit permits promptly after design approval so that review happens in parallel with material ordering.

Material ordering is the other critical pre-construction task. Custom and semi-custom cabinetry typically has a lead time of four to eight weeks from order to delivery. Countertop fabrication adds another one to two weeks after templating, which cannot happen until cabinets are installed. Ordering appliances, tile, and fixtures early ensures they are on-site when needed and avoids the costly downtime of waiting for deliveries mid-project.

Week 1-2: Demolition and Structural Work

Once permits are approved and your kitchen is prepared for construction, the physical work begins with demolition. This is the phase that feels the most disruptive because your kitchen becomes a construction zone overnight. A typical demolition takes two to four days depending on the size of the kitchen and the extent of removal.

During demolition, existing cabinets, countertops, flooring, backsplash, and sometimes ceiling materials are removed. If your project involves removing a wall to create an open concept layout, structural work happens immediately after demolition. Removing a load-bearing wall requires a structural engineer's design and the installation of a properly sized beam and support posts, which is a critical step that cannot be rushed.

This is also when hidden issues are most commonly discovered. In South Florida homes, particularly those built before 2002, it is not unusual to find outdated plumbing such as polybutylene pipes, aluminum wiring, inadequate ventilation, or moisture damage behind walls and under flooring. A reputable contractor will communicate any discoveries immediately and provide options and cost implications before proceeding. Build a contingency of 10 to 15 percent into your budget specifically for these types of unforeseen conditions.

Weeks 2-4: Rough Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC

After demolition and any structural work is complete, the rough-in phase begins. This is when the mechanical systems behind the walls and under the floor are installed or modified to accommodate your new kitchen layout. The rough-in phase typically takes one to two weeks and involves three licensed trades working in a coordinated sequence.

Plumbing rough-in comes first in most cases. If you are relocating the sink, adding a pot filler, moving the dishwasher, or adding a secondary prep sink, the supply and drain lines must be rerouted during this phase. In Miami-Dade County, all plumbing work must be performed by a licensed plumber and will be inspected separately before walls can be closed.

Electrical rough-in follows plumbing. Modern kitchen designs typically require significantly more electrical capacity than what exists in older South Florida homes. Dedicated 20-amp circuits for the refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and countertop appliances are now code requirements. Under-cabinet lighting, pendant fixtures, recessed lighting, and convenience outlets all need to be wired during this phase. If your panel cannot support the additional load, a panel upgrade may be necessary.

HVAC modifications, if needed, also happen during rough-in. Relocating or adding supply and return ducts to accommodate a new kitchen layout ensures proper climate control once the project is complete. After all rough-in work is finished, each trade's work must pass a separate inspection before the walls can be closed with drywall. Scheduling these inspections efficiently is key to avoiding unnecessary delays.

Weeks 4-6: Drywall, Painting, and Flooring

With inspections passed, the kitchen begins to take shape visually. Drywall is hung, taped, mudded, and sanded, a process that requires multiple coats with drying time between each. In South Florida's humidity, drying times can be longer than in drier climates, so adequate ventilation or dehumidification in the work area helps maintain the schedule.

Once the drywall is finished, the first round of painting happens. Painting the walls and ceiling before cabinets are installed is more efficient because painters can work without cutting around cabinetry. Touch-up painting will happen later after all installations are complete, but getting the base coats done now saves significant time.

Flooring installation follows painting and must be completed before cabinets are installed, unless you are using a floating floor system that will be scribed to the cabinet bases. For tile flooring, which is extremely popular in Miami kitchens due to its durability and moisture resistance, the tile is set, grouted, and sealed during this phase. Large format porcelain tile, a current favorite among South Florida homeowners, requires a perfectly level substrate, so floor preparation and leveling may add a day or two to this phase.

Weeks 6-10: Cabinets, Countertops, and Installations

Cabinet installation marks the turning point of the project. This is when your kitchen starts to look like a kitchen again, and it is one of the most rewarding phases for homeowners who have been living without a functional kitchen for several weeks. Cabinet installation typically takes three to five days for an average-sized kitchen.

Precision is everything during cabinet installation. Cabinets must be level, plumb, and securely anchored to wall studs. Crown molding, fillers, and trim pieces complete the cabinetry and require detailed finish carpentry skills. After cabinets are installed and verified, the countertop fabricator comes out to template the countertops. Templating uses digital laser measurement to capture exact dimensions, cutout locations for sinks and cooktops, and edge profiles.

Countertop fabrication and installation typically takes seven to ten business days after templating. During this window, other installations proceed in parallel. The plumber returns for finish plumbing, setting the sink, faucet, garbage disposal, and dishwasher connections once countertops are in place. The electrician completes finish electrical work, installing outlets, switches, light fixtures, and under-cabinet lighting. Appliance delivery and installation is coordinated to happen after countertops are set so that everything fits precisely.

The backsplash is one of the final installations, applied after countertops are in place so the tile or stone aligns perfectly with the counter surface. Backsplash installation and grouting typically takes two to three days depending on the material and pattern complexity.

Weeks 10-12: Finishing Touches, Punch List, and Final Inspection

The final phase covers all the details that bring the kitchen together. Touch-up painting addresses any scuffs, nail holes, or paint damage that occurred during installations. Cabinet hardware is installed. Outlet and switch covers are attached. Caulking is applied at the junctions between countertops and backsplash, around sink basins, and at any transitions between different materials.

Your contractor should conduct an internal quality review before inviting you for the final walkthrough. During the walkthrough, examine every surface, open every cabinet door and drawer, test every appliance, run water in every fixture, and check all electrical outlets and lighting. Document any items that need correction on a punch list, which your contractor will complete before the project is considered finished.

The final building inspection must be scheduled and passed before the project is officially complete. The inspector will verify that all permitted work was performed according to code, that appliances are properly connected, that GFCI outlets are in the required locations, and that the overall installation meets Florida Building Code standards. Once the final inspection is approved, your contractor will provide you with all warranty documentation, product manuals, and a copy of the approved inspection for your records.

A practical tip for surviving the process: set up a temporary kitchen in another room before demolition begins. A folding table, microwave, toaster oven, electric kettle, and access to a bathroom sink can make the weeks without a kitchen much more manageable.

Partner with a Contractor Who Respects Your Timeline

A well-managed kitchen remodel in South Florida should follow a predictable timeline with clear communication at every phase. Delays happen, but the best contractors anticipate them through thorough pre-construction planning, proactive material ordering, and efficient trade scheduling. At Royal Builders Miami, we provide every client with a detailed project schedule before construction begins and provide regular progress updates throughout the project. Our goal is a kitchen you love, delivered on time and on budget.

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