A full kitchen renovation typically takes four to six months from the first design meeting to the final walkthrough. That surprises people, because the construction itself is usually only 6 to 10 weeks of it. The rest is design, ordering, and approvals, and that early work is what decides whether the build runs smoothly or stalls.
What drives the timeline? Mostly four things: whether the layout changes or stays in the same footprint, how long your cabinetry takes to arrive, whether walls, plumbing, or electrical are moving (which can mean a permit), and how quickly decisions get made. We will walk through each phase below with the typical ranges we plan around. Treat them as realistic planning numbers for Oakville, Mississauga, and GTA homes, not guarantees.
If your kitchen is part of a larger project, our post on how long a home renovation takes covers whole-home and multi-room timelines.
The phases of a kitchen renovation
Design and drawings (typically 4 to 8 weeks)
This is where the kitchen actually gets figured out: the layout, the cabinetry design, appliances, lighting, plumbing fixtures, counters, backsplash, and flooring. We measure the space, test layout options, and produce the drawings the trades will build from. A kitchen that keeps its existing footprint sits at the shorter end of the range. A layout change, an island where there was not one before, or a wall coming out pushes it longer, because the mechanical and structural side has to be resolved on paper first.
Design is also where the budget takes shape, since cabinetry, counters, and appliances are the big line items. If you are still working out numbers, our kitchen renovation cost guide for Oakville breaks down what kitchens typically cost here in 2026, and you can see how we approach kitchen design in Oakville on our service page.
One thing we hold firm on: every decision gets made in this phase. Not most decisions. All of them. Every week saved by rushing design tends to come back as two or three weeks lost during construction.
Ordering and lead times (cabinetry sets the schedule)
Once the design is locked, everything gets ordered, and this is the phase homeowners underestimate most. Custom and semi-custom cabinetry typically takes 6 to 12 weeks to arrive, depending on the maker and the season. Appliances are usually faster, but panel-ready and specialty models can take longer. Special-order tile and imported stone have their own lead times.
Cabinetry is the real driver. It is the first big thing installed, and nothing downstream, counters, backsplash, or final plumbing, can happen until it is in. So we order cabinetry as early as possible and schedule demolition around its arrival, not the other way around. The goal is simple: the site should never sit waiting for a delivery.
Some of this ordering time overlaps with permits, which helps. It cannot overlap with unfinished design, which is another reason decisions come first.
Permits, when the scope calls for them
A kitchen that keeps its layout and swaps finishes usually does not need a building permit. One that removes a wall, moves the sink or gas line, or changes the structure usually does. Permit timelines vary by municipality and by how complex the application is; a straightforward residential permit can take a few weeks, and more involved scopes take longer.
Because we produce the permit drawings ourselves as part of design, the application goes in as soon as the drawings are ready, and review time runs in parallel with cabinetry lead time rather than adding to the calendar on its own. We handle the submission and respond to any examiner questions, so this phase rarely needs anything from you.
Construction (typically 6 to 10 weeks for a full kitchen)
With materials on hand and approvals in place, the build itself moves quickly. A typical sequence: protection and demolition, framing changes if any, plumbing and electrical rough-ins, inspections, insulation and drywall, flooring, cabinetry installation, counter templating, backsplash, counter installation, then final plumbing, electrical, and paint.
Stone counters explain the one pause most people notice mid-build. Counters are templated only after cabinets are installed, and fabrication typically takes one to two weeks. The crew keeps working around it, but the kitchen is not fully functional until the counters and the sink go in.
Punch list and final details (1 to 2 weeks)
The last stretch is small work that makes the difference: adjusting cabinet doors, caulking, paint touch-ups, hardware, and closing out any deficiencies from the final walkthrough. We keep a written list and work it to zero. It is short, but it is a real phase, and we build it into the schedule rather than pretending the last day of construction is move-in day.
What makes a kitchen renovation take longer
Most delays are predictable, and most are avoidable. The ones we see most often:
- Changing decisions after ordering. Swapping the counter material or cabinet colour after the order is placed restarts that lead time. This is the single biggest schedule killer.
- Surprises inside the walls. Older Oakville and Mississauga homes sometimes hide outdated wiring, plumbing that is not where the drawings assume, or framing that needs correcting. Good investigation during design catches most of it; contingency time in the schedule absorbs the rest.
- Long-lead selections chosen late. A special-order tile picked during construction can hold up the backsplash for weeks. We flag long-lead items during design so they are ordered with everything else.
- Handoffs between a separate designer and a separate contractor. When drawings, pricing, and construction live with different companies, questions travel slowly and gaps appear between them. Our design-build process keeps one team responsible from drawings and permits through construction, which removes most of that friction.
- Permit revisions. If an application needs resubmission, review time restarts. Complete, well-prepared drawings the first time is the fix.
You can see how finished kitchens come together in our recent projects, several of which involved exactly these kinds of layout changes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a full kitchen renovation take from start to finish?
Plan on roughly four to six months from the first design meeting to the final walkthrough. Design and drawings typically take 4 to 8 weeks, cabinetry lead times run about 6 to 12 weeks, and construction usually takes 6 to 10 weeks for a full kitchen. These are typical ranges, not guarantees, and scope changes them.
Can I live at home during a kitchen renovation?
Most of our clients do. We help set up a temporary kitchen in another room, seal off the work area for dust, and keep water and power running to the rest of the house. The hardest stretch is usually from demolition to drywall, which is a few weeks.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen renovation in Oakville or Mississauga?
Usually not if you are keeping the same layout and replacing finishes, cabinets, and appliances in place. You will likely need a building permit if you are removing or altering walls, moving plumbing, or making structural changes. We confirm this during design and prepare the drawings and application when a permit is required. Timelines vary by municipality and scope.
What is the fastest way to keep a kitchen renovation on schedule?
Make every decision before demolition starts. When the design is fully resolved, cabinetry is ordered early, and materials are confirmed on site before the crew arrives, construction runs in one continuous push instead of stopping to wait on decisions or deliveries.
If you are planning a kitchen renovation in Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, or elsewhere in the GTA and want a realistic timeline for your specific home, get in touch. We will look at your scope and tell you honestly what to expect, including the parts that take longer than you would like.
Ready to start?