How long do kitchen renovations take? Check out these timelines and learn why Country Creek Builders is the top kitchen remodeling company in the South Metro.
If you're planning a kitchen remodel in Lakeville, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, or anywhere in the South Metro Twin Cities, you're probably asking yourself one crucial question: How long is this actually going to take?
It's the question that keeps homeowners up at night. You're imagining weeks without a functioning kitchen, eating takeout every night, washing dishes in the bathroom sink, and navigating construction chaos while trying to maintain some semblance of normal life.
Here's the truth: A typical kitchen remodel takes 8-12 weeks from the day we start demolition to the day you're cooking in your dream kitchen. But that timeline varies based on project scope, and more importantly, how well your contractor has planned before the first hammer swings.
After completing 586+ remodeling projects across the South Metro over 25+ years, we've refined our kitchen remodeling process to minimize disruption while delivering exceptional results. This comprehensive timeline breaks down exactly what happens during each phase of your kitchen transformation—so you can plan accordingly and know what to expect every step of the way.
The most critical phase of your kitchen remodel happens before any demolition begins. This is where poor planning by contractors causes most project delays and budget overruns.
Week 1-2: Initial Consultation & Design Development
During your initial consultation with Country Creek Builders, we sit down to understand your vision, lifestyle needs, and budget. Are you a serious home chef who needs commercial-grade appliances? Do you entertain frequently and need an island that seats six? Is storage your biggest pain point?
Our in-house design team creates preliminary layouts that address your specific needs while working within your space constraints and budget parameters. You'll see multiple layout options with detailed measurements—not vague sketches, but actual buildable plans.
Week 3-4: Material Selection & Detailed Design
This is when you make critical decisions about cabinetry style, countertop materials, backsplash tile, flooring, lighting fixtures, and appliances. Our designers guide you through these selections, showing you how different materials fit within your budget tier (from our $75k-$90k entry level up to $120k+ luxury kitchens).
We coordinate everything upfront so there are no surprises about what fits your budget. This includes finalizing cabinet configurations with soft-close features, drawer inserts for silverware and spices, pull-out rollouts, and pantry organization systems.
Week 5-6: Final Plans, Permits & Material Orders
We finalize construction drawings, electrical plans, and plumbing layouts. If your remodel involves removing walls (especially load-bearing walls), structural engineering may be required. We handle all permit applications with your local building department in Lakeville, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Farmington, or Shakopee.
Most importantly, we order all materials before construction begins. Custom cabinets typically take 4-6 weeks to manufacture, so we time orders so everything arrives exactly when needed. This prevents the frustrating delays that plague projects where contractors haven't planned properly.
Day 1: Protection & Demolition Begins
We arrive on time (because that's what professional contractors do) and immediately protect your home. Plastic barriers seal off the kitchen from the rest of your house to minimize dust. Floor protection goes down in high-traffic areas.
Then demolition begins. Out come the old cabinets, countertops, and appliances. If we're removing walls to open up your layout, this happens during week one. For projects involving load-bearing walls, temporary support structures are installed before any structural members are removed.
Reality Check: Living Without a Kitchen
Let's be honest about what this phase means for your daily life. You won't have a functioning kitchen for several weeks. Successful families plan ahead by:
Week 1-2: Rough Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC
With demolition complete, our licensed electricians and plumbers get to work. This phase includes:
Building inspectors review this rough work to ensure everything meets code before we close up the walls. Professional contractors coordinate these inspections seamlessly—you shouldn't even know they're happening.
Drywall Installation & Finishing
New walls go up according to your finalized design. If we've created a larger opening to your dining room or added a peninsula, the framing is complete and ready for drywall.
Drywall installation seems quick, but finishing requires time. Multiple coats of joint compound, sanding between coats, and achieving smooth surfaces suitable for painting takes patience. We apply knockdown texture to ceilings to match the rest of your home's aesthetic.
Priming & Painting
Ceilings and walls get painted before cabinets arrive. This prevents the overspray issues that happen when painters work around installed cabinets. Your selected paint colors transform the space from construction zone to the foundation of your dream kitchen.
Week 5: Cabinet Delivery & Installation Begins
Your custom cabinets arrive—precisely on schedule because we ordered them during the design phase. Our full-time installation crew (not subcontractors) begins the meticulous process of installing base cabinets, wall cabinets, and specialty pieces like pantry cabinets with roll-outs.
Installation must be perfect. Cabinets need to be level, properly secured to wall studs, and aligned precisely for drawer fronts to close properly and doors to hang straight. For a medium-sized kitchen, cabinet installation typically takes 3-5 days.
Week 6: Upper Cabinets, Islands & Specialty Features
The island or peninsula gets installed, including any raised snack bar areas. Floating shelves, wine racks, and decorative elements are added. Soft-close features are tested on every door and drawer—no annoying cabinet slams in your new kitchen.
Week 7: Countertop Templating
Once cabinets are installed, countertop fabricators create precise templates. For granite or quartz countertops, this involves taking exact measurements including sink cutouts, cooktop openings, and edge profiles. Fabrication takes 7-10 days, so there's a brief pause while your countertops are being created.
Week 8: Countertop Installation
Your granite or quartz countertops arrive and get installed in a single day. This is when your kitchen starts looking like a real kitchen again. Seams are minimized and expertly placed. Undermount sinks are installed (or top-mount if that's your preference), and cutouts for cooktops are perfectly sized.
Week 9: Backsplash Tile Installation
Tile work is an art form. Whether you've selected classic subway tile, modern large-format porcelain, or intricate mosaic patterns, professional installation makes all the difference. Grout lines must be consistent, cuts around outlets must be precise, and the pattern must align perfectly.
Allow 2-3 days for tile installation and grouting, plus additional time for grout sealing if required by your tile type.
Plumbing Fixture Installation
Your new faucet, garbage disposal, and any water filtration systems get installed. Everything is tested for leaks and proper function. If you're adding a pot filler or instant hot water dispenser, those specialty items are connected during this phase.
Week 10: Flooring Installation
New flooring transforms your kitchen. Whether you've selected luxury vinyl tile (LVT), hardwood, tile, or another material, professional installation ensures durability and beauty. Flooring often extends into adjacent areas like the dining room or foyer for a cohesive look throughout your main level.
Week 11: Electrical Finish Work
With all major components installed, electricians return to install light fixtures, pendant lights over your island, under-cabinet LED tape lighting, and LED toe kick lighting if included in your design. Outlets and switches get their cover plates. Everything is tested to ensure proper function.
Trim & Detail Work
New baseboards, window casing, and door trim are installed and painted or stained to match your existing home or create a fresh new look. Every detail matters—these finishing touches are what separate good remodels from exceptional ones.
Appliance Installation
Your new appliances (which you've provided, or we've coordinated) are installed. Ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and any specialty appliances are positioned, connected, and tested. Built-in appliances are secured according to manufacturer specifications.
Hardware Installation
Cabinet hardware—pulls, knobs, and handles—are installed with precise spacing and alignment. This seemingly small detail has a massive impact on your kitchen's finished appearance and functionality.
Final Walkthrough & Punch List
We walk through your completed kitchen together, testing every cabinet door, drawer, light switch, and appliance. Any minor adjustments or touch-ups are noted and completed immediately. You're not signing off on this project until you're 100% satisfied.
Welcome Home to Your New Kitchen
After 8-12 weeks, your kitchen transformation is complete. But unlike the horror stories you've heard about contractor projects running months over schedule, yours finished when we said it would. That's because we planned everything before demolition day one.
1. Complete Design Before Construction
We don't figure things out as we go. Every detail is finalized during the design phase, which means no mid-project changes that delay completion and blow budgets.
2. Materials Ordered in Advance
Those stories about contractors waiting weeks for cabinets to arrive while your kitchen sits unusable? That doesn't happen when you order materials before starting demolition. We coordinate delivery schedules so materials arrive exactly when needed.
3. Full-Time Employees, Not Subcontractors
Our crews show up every day because they're our employees, not independent contractors juggling multiple jobs. This consistency keeps projects moving forward without the delays caused by subcontractors who prioritize other jobs.
4. Systematic Project Management
Every project follows our proven process developed over 586+ completed remodels. We know exactly what happens on day 15, day 30, and day 60 of your project. You receive a detailed schedule showing daily progress expectations.
5. Accountability You Can Count On
We do what we say we're going to do. If we commit to finishing your kitchen in 10 weeks, we finish in 10 weeks. Our iron-clad quotes mean no surprise cost increases. We show up on time, work full days, and take full responsibility for everything we do.
While 8-12 weeks is typical, several factors can adjust your timeline:
Project Scope
Structural Modifications Removing load-bearing walls requires engineering, permits, and structural support installation, adding 1-2 weeks to your timeline.
Custom Features Specialty items like custom range hoods, imported tile, or unique cabinetry configurations may have extended lead times that need to be factored into the schedule.
Permit Approval Delays While rare with proper planning, permit departments occasionally take longer during busy seasons. We submit permits early to minimize any impact on your construction schedule.
Material Supply Chain Issues In today's market, supply chain disruptions can occasionally delay material delivery. We mitigate this risk by working with reliable suppliers and ordering materials well in advance.
Set Up a Temporary Kitchen Station Dedicate space in your dining room, basement, or garage for essential appliances. A microwave, coffee maker, and toaster oven can maintain some normalcy.
Plan Your Meals in Advance Stock up on easy meals before construction starts. Embrace slow cookers, instant pots, and outdoor grills. Many families find this is a great time to explore local restaurants and support South Metro businesses.
Maintain Realistic Expectations Yes, there will be dust. Yes, there will be noise during work hours. Yes, you'll get tired of washing dishes in the bathroom sink. But remember—this temporary disruption creates decades of enjoyment in your dream kitchen.
Communicate Openly With Your Contractor If something concerns you, speak up immediately. Good contractors welcome questions and address issues before they become problems.
Trust the Process When you work with a professional design-build contractor with a proven systematic approach, trust that they've done this hundreds of times. The chaos is temporary, and the results are worth it.
Before signing any remodeling contract, make sure your contractor can answer these questions:
A kitchen remodel is a significant investment in your South Metro home. The key to minimizing disruption and maximizing results is working with a contractor who has refined their process through hundreds of projects.
At Country Creek Builders, we've been transforming kitchens across Lakeville, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Farmington, and Shakopee since 2000. Our design-build approach means you have a single point of accountability from initial consultation through final walkthrough. Our streamlined processes minimize disruption to your daily life. Our full-time craftsmen work with urgency without sacrificing quality.
Most importantly, we do what we say we're going to do. When we commit to an 8-week or 12-week timeline, that's when your project will be complete. Our iron-clad quotes mean no surprise cost increases halfway through construction.
Visit our new showroom (opening spring 2025) to see full-scale kitchen displays, walk through actual layouts, and compare materials side-by-side. Experience firsthand why our systematic approach has completed 586+ successful projects—and why homeowners trust us with their most important remodeling investments.
Ready to explore what your kitchen could become? Schedule a no-pressure consultation with our design team. Let's discuss your timeline, budget, and vision—and create a detailed plan that transforms your kitchen without the typical contractor chaos.
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About Country Creek Builders: Serving the South Metro Twin Cities since 2000, Country Creek Builders specializes in design-build kitchen remodeling, basement finishing, and bathroom renovations. With 586+ completed projects and a team of full-time craftsmen, we deliver exceptional results on time and within budget. Learn more about our remodeling process or explore our completed kitchen projects.
We're based out of the South Metro Twin Cities, and we serve both
