Michigan kitchen sequencing
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
Count the decisions and dependencies—not only the demolition days. A useful schedule starts before construction and ends after inspections, punch-list work, and final records.
Direct answer
Plan for the scope you have—not one universal average.
Cosmetic refresh
About 4–8 construction weeksExisting layout and utilities remain; stock or confirmed products; limited permit or inspection scope.
Same-layout full remodel
About 8–14 construction weeksCabinets, counters, flooring, lighting, appliances, and finish work are coordinated without major structural change.
Layout or structural remodel
About 12–24+ construction weeksWalls, openings, utilities, ventilation, service capacity, custom products, or multiple approvals add dependencies.
These are HomeScope planning scenarios, not measured Michigan market averages or contractor promises. Design time, municipal review, product lead times, inspection availability, concealed conditions, owner decisions, crew sequencing, and approved changes can move the dates.
Start-to-finish sequence
Six gates from idea to usable kitchen.
Define scope and layout
Measure the room, settle the layout, identify wall or opening changes, map appliance locations, and assign design responsibility. A same-layout refresh and a structural reconfiguration should not share one schedule.
Confirm approvals and order long-lead items
Ask the municipality which building and trade permits, drawings, plan review, and inspections apply. Release cabinets, windows, specialty fixtures, and appliances only after dimensions and responsibility are clear.
Protect, disconnect, and demolish
Set dust and access controls, establish the temporary kitchen, disconnect affected systems, remove the agreed scope, and document concealed conditions before authorizing changes.
Complete structure and rough trades
Coordinate framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, ventilation, and any service upgrades. Required rough inspections must occur before insulation, drywall, cabinets, or finishes conceal the work.
Close walls and install the kitchen
Sequence drywall, paint, flooring, cabinets, templates, counters, tile, trim, fixtures, appliances, lighting, and trade finish work around product readiness and approved dimensions.
Test, inspect, punch, and close
Test appliances and systems, complete required finals, resolve the punch list, clean the space, collect approvals, manuals, warranties, lien documents, and keep a closeout file before final payment.
Before demolition
Build the temporary-kitchen plan before you need it.
- Choose a safe location for refrigeration, microwave or approved small appliances, water, food storage, and cleanup.
- Plan dust separation, worker access, pets, children, deliveries, parking, and daily cleanup.
- Confirm who moves and protects furniture, artwork, flooring, and adjacent rooms.
- Decide how long you can tolerate shutdown before committing to the scope.
Freeze the decisions that drive the schedule
- Final cabinet layout and verified field dimensions.
- Appliance models, utility requirements, and ventilation route.
- Cabinet, counter, flooring, tile, fixture, and lighting selections.
- Allowances, substitutions, delivery storage, damage, and return responsibility.
- Written change-order and schedule-extension rules.
Contractor schedule questions
Ask for dates tied to visible milestones.
- Which products must be ordered before the start date, and who verifies dimensions?
- Which permit, plan-review, and inspection steps are assumed for your Michigan community?
- What work can proceed while cabinets, counters, appliances, or approvals are pending?
- Who coordinates rough trades, inspection corrections, cabinet installation, templates, and final connections?
- How are concealed conditions, substitutions, owner decisions, and change orders reflected in price and time?
- What defines substantial completion, final completion, permit closeout, and the final payment date?
Continue planning