Why Kitchen Renovation Takes Longer Than Bathroom Renovation
The most common misconception about kitchen renovation timelines is comparing them to bathroom renovations. Kitchens take longer — and the main reason is custom cabinet manufacturing.
Unlike bathrooms where most materials (tiles, sanitary ware, fittings) can be purchased from stock and delivered quickly, kitchen cabinets are made-to-measure in a workshop. After the design is confirmed and signed off, the manufacturing lead time is typically 7 to 14 days. This period is non-negotiable — cabinets cannot be rushed without compromising quality — and must be planned into the overall timeline from the beginning.
Pre-Construction Phase: Design and Permits (Weeks 1–2)
Before a single tool is used on site, two important phases happen in parallel:
Design Phase (Days 1–10)
- Day 1–2: Site visit and precise measurement of kitchen dimensions, wall positions, windows, existing plumbing and electrical points
- Day 3–5: Layout planning, cabinet configuration design, material selection presentation
- Day 6–8: 3D visual preparation and client review
- Day 9–10: Revisions (if any) and design sign-off
After design sign-off, cabinet manufacturing is ordered immediately. This 7–14 day lead time runs in parallel with the NOC/permit process and any pre-construction preparation.
NOC / Permit Phase (Runs parallel to Design)
- Building management NOC: typically 3–10 working days
- DM permit (structural changes): additional process with longer timescale
- Gas contractor approval: coordinated in parallel
Construction Phase: Week-by-Week Breakdown
Week 1 on Site: Demolition and First Fix
- Day 1–2: Full demolition — old kitchen units, worktops, floor tiles if being replaced, plasterwork preparation
- Day 2–3: Plumbing first fix — pipes and drainage repositioned for new layout
- Day 3–5: Electrical first fix — conduits, new circuits, lighting positions prepared before walls are finished
Week 2 on Site: Walls, Flooring Preparation, and Cabinet Arrival
- Wall patching and levelling completed where required
- Floor screed or levelling compound applied and cured where needed
- Custom cabinets arrive from workshop and are checked against design specification
Week 3 on Site: Cabinet Installation and Tiling
- Day 1–3: Base cabinet installation, wall unit installation, tall unit installation
- Day 3–5: Worktop templating (for quartz/granite — a template is cut from the installed cabinets and sent to the stone fabricator, typically a 3–5 day fabrication lead time)
- Parallel: Floor tiling begins in areas not obstructed by cabinet installation
Week 4 on Site: Worktop Installation, Splashback Tiling, Second Fix
- Worktop installed and siliconed
- Splashback tiles installed
- Plumbing second fix — sink fitted, dishwasher connected
- Electrical second fix — sockets fitted, under-cabinet lighting installed, extractor fan wired
Week 5 on Site: Appliances, Finishing, and Snagging
- Appliances installed and tested — oven, hob, dishwasher, fridge
- Cabinet doors hung and adjusted — soft-close hinges set, door alignment checked
- All finishing work completed — silicone joints, touch-up paint, splashback grouting
- Full snagging walkthrough — any items raised are resolved
- Kitchen cleaned and handed over
Total Timeline Summary by Kitchen Type
| Kitchen Type | Design + Permits | Construction | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small galley | 1–1.5 weeks | 2–3 weeks | 3–4.5 weeks |
| Standard kitchen | 1.5–2 weeks | 3–4 weeks | 4.5–6 weeks |
| Large / open-plan | 2 weeks | 4–6 weeks | 6–8 weeks |
| Structural change | 3–5 weeks (permits) | 5–8 weeks | 8–13 weeks |
How to Avoid Common Delays
- Sign off the design quickly — design revisions delay cabinet manufacturing start
- Choose materials early — imported tiles and worktops have their own lead times
- Apply for the NOC immediately — building management response times are outside your control
- Confirm your appliance list before construction starts — cabinet openings are manufactured to exact appliance dimensions
- Avoid making changes after cabinet manufacturing starts — changes at this stage cause remakes and delays
Plan Your Kitchen Timeline
Tell us your ideal start date and kitchen requirements. We will work back from your timeline to create a realistic schedule.
💬 Request a WhatsApp Estimate