One of the most common questions we hear at the start of a kitchen project is: how long is this actually going to take? The short answer for a full kitchen remodel in Houston is 10 to 16 weeks from signed contract to final walkthrough. But that number depends heavily on how prepared you are going in and how smoothly permitting goes.
Phase-by-Phase Timeline Breakdown
Planning & Design: 2–4 Weeks
Before a single thing is ordered or a wall is touched, you need a finalized plan — layout, cabinet selection, countertop material, tile, fixtures, appliances. This phase takes longer than most homeowners expect, and rushing it is one of the leading causes of mid-project changes that blow timelines and budgets.
We lock in all selections before ordering anything. No ordering before decisions are made — that prevents the cascading delays that come from changing your mind once materials are already on-site.
Permits: 1–3 Weeks
Any kitchen remodel in Houston that involves electrical, plumbing, or structural work requires a permit from the City of Houston. Permit timelines vary depending on project scope and current city workload, but typically run 1–3 weeks. We handle the entire permitting process — submitting drawings, coordinating with inspectors, and scheduling required inspections throughout the build.
Demolition: 3–5 Days
Demo goes fast. Cabinets, countertops, flooring, and sometimes walls come out in a matter of days. We protect adjacent areas with dust barriers and clean up at the end of each day.
Rough-In Work: 2–3 Weeks
This is when electricians, plumbers, and HVAC trades do their rough-in work — running new lines, relocating outlets, adding circuits for new appliances. All of this happens inside the walls before anything is closed up, and it requires inspections before moving forward.
Cabinet Installation: 1–2 Weeks
Cabinets go in after the rough-in inspections pass. Lead times on cabinets — especially semi-custom or custom — can run 4–8 weeks from order, which is why we order them during the planning phase rather than waiting for demo to start.
Countertops, Tile & Finish Work: 3–5 Weeks
Countertops are templated after cabinets are installed and typically take 1–2 weeks to fabricate and install. Backsplash tile, flooring, lighting, and plumbing fixtures all happen in this phase. This is where the kitchen starts looking like itself.
Punch List & Final Walkthrough: 3–5 Days
We do a thorough punch list review before we consider a project complete — hardware tightened, grout sealed, touch-up paint done, appliances tested. Matt walks the finished kitchen with you personally at the final walkthrough.
What Causes Delays
- Late material selections — if countertop or tile choices aren't finalized before demo starts, fabrication and delivery delays stack up
- Permit delays — city timelines vary; we submit early to buffer this
- Unforeseen conditions — old plumbing, outdated wiring, or water damage found during demo can add scope
- Appliance lead times — high-end appliances from Wolf or Sub-Zero can have 8–12 week lead times; order early
How to Keep Your Project on Schedule
The single best thing you can do to keep your kitchen remodel on schedule is make all your decisions before construction starts. Every mid-project change — even small ones — creates a ripple effect. Finalize your selections, sign off on the plan, and let the build run.
We give every client a detailed construction schedule before work begins and update them with regular progress reports throughout. You always know where things stand.