How long does a kitchen renovation take?

Six to twelve weeks on site for a straightforward job, but the calendar time from first quote to finished room is usually four to six months once you include quoting, permits, and lead times on units and appliances.

What causes most renovation delays?

Permits and long-lead items, in that order. Both are knowable at the start, which is why they belong on the timeline before any build dates do.

Can I share this with my builder?

Yes. Publish it and send the link — it opens in any browser with no account. If your builder wants to propose different dates, they can hit Remix and send back their own version.

Home renovation template

Home renovation timeline

Renovations overrun for two boring reasons: permits take longer than quoted, and something you ordered has a fourteen-week lead time nobody mentioned. Putting both on a timeline at the start is the cheapest scheduling insurance available. This template covers a typical six-month job.

Use this template

Opens in the editor. Free, no signup.

The milestones

Roughly 20 weeks end to end. Weeks are relative to the first milestone — set your own dates once it's open in the editor.

When	Milestone	Phase
Week 0	Quotes in, builder chosen	Planning
Week 3	Permits applied for	Planning
Week 5	Long-lead items ordered	Planning
Week 9	Strip-out begins	Build
Week 12	First fix (electrics & plumbing)	Build
Week 16	Units installed	Build
Week 20	Snagging list closed	Finish

What to put on it

Quotes gathered and a builder chosen — with the date you actually signed.
Permit or planning application submitted, and the date you expect a decision.
Long-lead orders placed. Note the quoted lead time next to it.
Strip-out or demolition start, which is when the house becomes unlivable.
First fix, second fix, and install dates from your builder's schedule.
Snagging, and the date you intend to have it closed.

Questions

How long does a kitchen renovation take?: Six to twelve weeks on site for a straightforward job, but the calendar time from first quote to finished room is usually four to six months once you include quoting, permits, and lead times on units and appliances.
What causes most renovation delays?: Permits and long-lead items, in that order. Both are knowable at the start, which is why they belong on the timeline before any build dates do.
Can I share this with my builder?: Yes. Publish it and send the link — it opens in any browser with no account. If your builder wants to propose different dates, they can hit Remix and send back their own version.

Make it yours in about a minute.

The template opens as a draft in your browser. Edit the dates, publish when it's right, and share the link — it unfurls as a preview of the actual timeline in Slack, Teams, Discord, and iMessage.

Use this template