A realistic week-by-week schedule for a full kitchen remodel in LA, what happens in each phase, and the three things that stretch a timeline.
A full kitchen remodel in Los Angeles takes three to six weeks of construction, after three to six weeks of planning and ordering. Refresh-level work like new counters, backsplash and paint can run five working days. Below is the week-by-week sequence we run on most jobs, so you know what should be happening and when.
Before demo: 3-6 weeks
- Week 1: site visit and measure; we open a cabinet base and check the panel, drains and what is behind the drywall. Written scope and fixed price.
- Weeks 2-4: cabinet order (semi-custom lead times are 4-6 weeks, full custom 8-12), appliance and fixture selection, tile and stone chosen.
- Weeks 2-5: permits if we move gas, add circuits or remove a load-bearing wall. Plan check for a kitchen is usually 2-4 weeks.
- Rule: we do not demo until cabinets have a confirmed delivery date. A kitchen without cabinets is a kitchen waiting.
Construction: weeks 1-6
- Week 1 - Demo and rough-in. Floor and doorway protection, cabinet and counter removal, disposal. Plumbing and electrical rough-in: new circuits for appliances, GFCI, recessed lighting, moved supply and drain lines. Load-bearing wall removal happens here if planned. Inspection.
- Week 2 - Walls and floors. Drywall repair, float and skim, paint primer. Flooring if it runs under the cabinets.
- Week 3 - Cabinets. Set, level and shim cabinets. Countertop template is taken after cabinets are locked in.
- Week 4 - Stone fabrication wait. Templating to install is typically 7-10 working days. We use this week for trim, painting and any flooring that stops at the cabinets.
- Week 5 - Counters, backsplash, plumbing trim. Stone install, sink and faucet, backsplash tile and grout, appliances hooked up.
- Week 6 - Punch list. Hardware, touch-ups, final clean, walkthrough and final inspection.
The three things that stretch a kitchen timeline
- Cabinet lead time. Custom and some semi-custom lines run 8-12 weeks. Order before demo.
- Surprises behind the wall. Galvanized drains, knob-and-tube, termite damage. We check before demo, which is why we open a cabinet base at the site visit.
- Change orders. Every change after demo costs days. We finalize selections before the first hammer swing and price any change in writing before doing it.
Living through it
We set up a temporary sink and a spot for the refrigerator and microwave so you are not without water and cold storage. Dust walls and floor protection go up on day one. Most clients stay in the house for a kitchen remodel.
See how we run a kitchen remodel, the five-day New Kitchen in 5 Days refresh, and load-bearing wall removal if you are opening the kitchen to the living room. We build kitchens across Sherman Oaks, Encino, Woodland Hills, Culver City and Pasadena.
A 5-day kitchen refresh, by day
- Day 1: protection, remove counters and backsplash, minor cabinet repairs.
- Day 2: cabinet refacing or paint, hardware, under-cabinet lighting.
- Day 3: countertop install (templated the week before), sink and faucet.
- Day 4: backsplash tile and grout.
- Day 5: paint touch-ups, appliance hookup, clean and walkthrough.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a kitchen remodel take in Los Angeles?
Three to six weeks of construction for a full remodel, after three to six weeks of planning and cabinet lead time. A refresh can be five working days.
Can I live at home during a kitchen remodel?
Yes. We set up a temporary sink and refrigerator location and protect floors and doorways daily.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel?
Permit requirements depend on the full scope and the property jurisdiction. Even a kitchen remodel without structural changes may use an express permit. Confirm the applicable route with your building department; see the LADBS homeowner guide for City of Los Angeles projects.
How long does countertop fabrication take?
Typically 7-10 working days from template to install for quartz and most stone.
What is the fastest way to remodel a kitchen?
Keep the layout, order cabinets before demo, finalize every selection first and avoid change orders.
Related services
Book a free on-site estimate: call (323) 593-3663 or request a quote online. Fix Brothers is a licensed and insured general contractor based in Chatsworth, serving Los Angeles since 2015.
Questions to settle before choosing a demolition date
Treat the ranges above as planning examples, not a promised completion date. Ask for a schedule that separates design and selections, approvals, deliveries, construction and final checks.
- Which materials must arrive before demolition, and who confirms their condition?
- What decisions are still open, and when must you make them?
- Which inspections or site conditions can change the sequence?
- How will cooking, refrigeration, access and planned utility interruptions be handled?
- Who updates you when a delivery or scope change affects the schedule?
Collect photos and priorities with our kitchen and bathroom planning checklist. Then use the form on that page to request a written estimate for your project.