How Long Does a Kitchen Design and Remodel Take?

Designing and remodeling a kitchen is a significant undertaking, and few things excite homeowners more than renovations. Considering how much time we spend in our kitchens, new appliances, fresh finishes, and a new layout can truly transform your daily experience. The duration of your remodel will vary based on the project's scope and whether you're planning a major or minor renovation. 

At Sharp & Grey, our mission is to team up with you throughout the entire design and renovation journey and to create a kitchen that feels tailor-made for you—because it is! You bring your schedule and budget, and we’ll bring our design expertise, taking all the meticulous planning off your plate. By coming on board as early as possible, we can assist you through the budgeting and timeline process, ensuring everything runs smoothly. We’re also here to help you navigate contractors and trades, making sure every detail is expertly handled. Now let's dive into the fun stuff, break down the stages of a kitchen makeover, and map out a practical timeline to guide your planning process.

Designing a Kitchen

Designing a kitchen is a big undertaking that requires careful consideration and thoughtful planning. The first step in this journey involves understanding your unique needs and desires and the architecture of your home. 

At Sharp & Grey, we spend a significant amount of time getting to know you, your family, and learning about your daily routines, cooking habits, and lifestyle preferences. This discovery process can take a few weeks or longer, depending on the depth of customization and the complexity of the project. It's not just about how the space will look; it's about how it will feel and function for you as you use it every day. 

The planning phase is where thousands of decisions come into play. From creating the perfect floor plan and cabinetry layouts to choosing the right appliances and fixtures and selecting countertops, cabinetry, and flooring, every detail matters. This phase often involves multiple meetings as we fine-tune the design to ensure it aligns perfectly with your vision. It typically takes several months to finalize all the details, during which we create detailed floor plans, 3D renderings, and mood boards, along with material samples to help you visualize the end result. Collaboration is key, and we encourage open communication to ensure every decision is made with confidence.

Creating a thoughtful and functional kitchen design is a deeply personal process. We take all the information we've gathered about your design needs and aspirations to craft a bespoke design that is both beautiful and practical. Our holistic approach ensures that the final design not only meets but exceeds expectations, transforming the kitchen into a space that enhances your daily life. The time invested in understanding you and meticulously planning every detail results in a kitchen that is truly tailored to your lifestyle, making it a centerpiece of your home for years to come.

Full Service Stages of a Kitchen Design and Remodel at Sharp & Grey 

Understanding the stages of a kitchen remodel can help set realistic expectations for how long the process will take. Good things take time and our design process is a perfect example. We have fine tuned our process based on experience to usher you through design and not to overwhelm. By taking it slowly and steadily building upon what we learn from you, we are able to create a truly amazing end product. We want you to understand more about our process, from planning and design to installation and final inspection, so that you can better anticipate timelines and avoid frustration.

1. Discovery Meeting

We kick off your project with a design consultation. We'll meet at your home for a 2-hour working design session to explore your space and dive into the project's scope. Get ready for real-time design tips and a chance for us to grasp your style and functionality needs while going through any architectural drawings. After our chat, you'll receive a detailed project proposal covering all we discussed—so you can start envisioning your dream space right away!

2. Planning and Trade Day

This is the exciting phase where your design plan starts to come to life! We start with a fun and detailed design meeting where we dive into the function, style, and aesthetics of your space. During this time, we'll get to know you and your family even better, understand how you live in your home, and capture the vision for your project. These initial meetings set the stage for the entire design journey. Next, we organize a "trade day," where we gather all the trades and contractors involved and take precise measurements to ensure everything is spot on.

3. Design Process Begins

After we spend time getting to know more about you and your project, the design process will begin. From there you will be presented with a concept design that will include floor plans and a design mood board that will become the foundation of the entire project. Upon approval of the concept design, the full detailed design plan will then be created. This concept design phase takes 3-6 weeks but can take longer depending on the detail of the project. The design plan will be presented with all available samples to all decision-makers.

4. Ordering Materials

Once you've approved the final design and proposal, furnishings and materials are ordered and all work is scheduled. From now until the construction is complete and/or the furnishings are delivered our team will be working hard behind the scenes to make sure that all orders are in, deliveries are on track, and any issues are addressed. It may take a few weeks to a few months depending on the project to see the final transformation.

5. Demolition and Construction

This phase can be messy, there is no way around it, but try to relax and enjoy the process! At this point, the design aspect is complete. We create a comprehensive design binder complete with all construction documentation, specifications, and project details to be left on-site for you and your construction team. This way, there is no confusion about the design intent and the team can proceed with confidence.

This may be a good time to visit friends or family or go on a trip to avoid the dust and let our team handle things for you. Our design team will be visiting periodically to check in with the tradespeople and on the progress of the project, as well as manage any challenges that may arise or answer any questions to make sure the result is as beautiful as we imagined.

6. Installation and furniture delivery

Once construction is complete your furnishings will begin to arrive. They will all be received and thoroughly inspected by our warehouse and white glove delivery and placement of all furniture, artwork, and rugs will be scheduled and professional window treatment installation will be arranged as well as all trash removed. Your space will be styled with accessories and will be professionally cleaned. 

When you arrive back at your home it will be finished! Installation typically takes 1-3 days depending on the size of the project, but we will give you our best estimate before it begins. Shortly after the reveal, your space will be professionally photographed. There will then be a walk-through to determine any punch list items and a plan to resolve any deficiencies.

7. Final Inspection 

This is the exciting part! The final walk-through can take between one to three hours. This is where we will create a punch list of outstanding items, and provide warranty information, and cleaning & care guides in a final goodbye packet.

Factors that Can Influence the Length of a Kitchen Remodel (Construction)

Large kitchen renovations involving changes to layout, plumbing, and electrical systems, in addition to new appliances, products, and finishes, can take between three to five months for the design planning, and then two to three months to complete the construction. The duration depends on the kitchen's size and complexity. At Sharp & Grey, we take care of procuring all your materials, managing deliveries, and coordinating with the team of trades to ensure every design detail is executed flawlessly and the installation meets professional standards. Our hands-on, personalized approach ensures the design vision we crafted together is brought to life with excellent results.

We accomplish this by working closely with contractors, maintaining direct communication with construction teams, conducting weekly site visits, and providing re-specifications and solutions for any design challenges that arise during construction. Typically, we allocate 1-3 hours per week for project oversight, along with 1-2 site visits per week, depending on the project's stage. However, please be aware that unforeseen issues like structural issues, outdated wiring, or plumbing problems discovered during demolition may cause unexpected delays.

Tips For Streamlining Your Kitchen Renovation

• Plan Thoroughly: Spend ample time in the planning phase to avoid delays during construction. At Sharp & Grey, we take the stress of planning off your hands. All design planning, materials ordering, construction, and unforeseen challenges planning are part of our comprehensive packages. Our goal is to have 95% of all design decisions made before construction begins. In our experience, this makes the construction process as easy as possible and moves forward on schedule with the least amount of disruption to your life. 

• Set a Realistic Budget: Include a contingency fund for unexpected expenses. A well-planned budget can prevent financial stress and delays. At Sharp & Grey, we believe every project and client is unique, so we structure our pricing based on the scope of work. Before our work together begins, we provide you with an estimate of the hours it will require for design and project administration. It is always our goal to stay within that range, but that isn't always possible. That being said, our approximation should give you an idea of what to expect and we will offer frequent updates on the total hours as the project progresses.

• Prepare for Disruptions: Set up a temporary kitchen to use during the remodel. Be prepared for the inconvenience and plan accordingly.

• Stay Flexible: Be ready to adapt if unforeseen issues arise. Flexibility can help keep the project on track despite challenges.

• Click here for further reading on tips and tricks to streamline your home renovation.

The timeline for a kitchen remodel varies widely based on the project's scope, size, complexity, and other factors. By understanding the stages of a remodel and planning accordingly, you can set realistic expectations and ensure a smoother, more efficient renovation process. Whether you're making minor updates or undertaking a complete overhaul, preparation and professional guidance are key to achieving your dream kitchen on time. We recommend you take a moment to read 9 Things to Know Before Starting A Kitchen Renovation before you get going on your next remodeling project.

At Sharp & Grey, we would be delighted to join forces and make remodeling and designing your kitchen a seamless and complete process. Our commitment to understanding your unique needs, coupled with our meticulous planning and execution, ensures that your kitchen transformation is not only beautiful but also functional and personalized to your lifestyle. From the initial design consultation to the final installation, we take pride in managing every detail with professionalism and care. Let us bring your dream kitchen to life, creating a space that you and your family will enjoy for years to come. 

Your renovation should be an exciting milestone for your family, and with us, it will be truly remarkable.

Schedule a discovery call.

Talk soon,

Libby