Kitchen Remodel Timeline in Vernon Hills, Illinois

Jan 31
8 min read

What to Expect From Start to Finish Without Losing Your Mind

If you are planning a kitchen remodel in Vernon Hills, you have probably already pictured the fun parts. New cabinets that actually close properly. Better lighting. More counter space. A layout that finally makes sense when you are cooking dinner while someone else is standing at the sink and the kids are looking for snacks.

But before all of that, there is one question that matters more than almost anything else.

How long is this going to take?

That question is not just about your calendar. It is about real life. How you are going to eat. Where you are going to make coffee. How chaotic mornings are going to feel. Whether you can host people. Whether you are going to be washing dishes in the bathroom sink for a while.

So let’s talk about the kitchen remodel timeline in a way that feels realistic and not sugar coated. I will walk you through what usually happens, what typically slows things down, and what you can do to keep your project moving.

If you want to see how Brezden approaches kitchen remodeling in Vernon Hills, you can start here.

And if you want to scroll through real finished work while you read, the gallery is a great place to get ideas and build a short list of styles you like.

The honest short answer

How long does a kitchen remodel usually take

Most kitchen remodel timelines fall into a few general ranges, depending on how big the project is and how quickly selections are made.

Light refresh
Often about 2 to 4 weeks
Mid scope remodel with new cabinets and counters, usually same layout
Often about 5 to 9 weeks
Full remodel with layout changes, electrical or plumbing changes, and higher complexity finishes
Often about 9 to 14 weeks

Now here is the important part that many homeowners do not realize at first.

Those timelines are the “construction timeline.” Your real timeline includes planning, design decisions, ordering materials, and permits. That is why some people feel like their remodel took forever, even if the actual construction moved at a normal pace.

If you want your remodel to feel smooth, the goal is simple. Handle the front end properly so the build phase is not full of pauses.

Phase 1

Discovery and planning

Usually 1 to 3 weeks

This is where everything gets easier later if you do it right now.

It usually starts with you explaining what you hate about your current kitchen. That sounds simple, but it actually matters. Some people hate that the kitchen is dark. Others hate that they cannot open the dishwasher without blocking the whole room. Some people are sick of the tiny corner cabinet that eats everything and gives nothing back.

You will also talk through the big picture stuff, like whether you want to keep the layout or change it, and what kind of budget you are comfortable with.

A few questions that come up often in Vernon Hills homes are:

Are we keeping the existing footprint, or are we opening up the space

Are we keeping the sink where it is, or moving it to an island

Do we want a bigger pantry or better storage

Do we need more seating, or just more prep space

Are we upgrading appliances now, or later

This is also a good time to talk about your timeline goals. If you are trying to be done before a holiday, a graduation party, or summer hosting season, say that early. Timing changes everything.

Phase 2

Design and layout decisions

Usually 2 to 5 weeks

This phase is where the remodel stops being a vague idea and becomes an actual plan.

Layout decisions happen here. Cabinet configuration happens here. Appliance placement happens here. Lighting planning happens here.

And yes, this is the phase where people sometimes overthink things. That is normal. It is your home and your money. You want to make good choices.

A good design phase does not just focus on what looks nice. It focuses on how the kitchen functions.

Where will you store the everyday stuff

Where will trash and recycling live

Do you need a spot for small appliances that usually crowd the counter

Do you want a wider walkway between the island and perimeter cabinets

Do you want a dedicated coffee zone or beverage fridge area

This is also the phase where you want to finalize any major changes. If you want to move the sink or range, or remove a wall, this is when it should be decided. Waiting until demolition to “see how it feels” is a fast way to stretch the timeline and the budget.

Phase 3

Selections and ordering

Usually 3 to 8 weeks

Sometimes longer depending on lead times

This is the phase that quietly controls the entire schedule.

Most kitchen delays are not because the crew is slow. They happen because materials are not available yet.

Here is what tends to affect lead times the most.

Cabinets

Appliances

Countertops

Tile and backsplash materials

Specialty lighting

Custom features like range hoods, custom trim, or special doors

If you want the remodel to run predictably, the best thing you can do is lock in your biggest selections early. Cabinets, counters, and appliances are the big three. Once those are set, everything else becomes easier.

A very real homeowner moment that happens all the time is this.

Someone picks cabinets, but waits on appliances. Then the appliance specs change the layout slightly. Then the cabinet order needs adjustment. Then time gets lost. That is why selecting the major items in the right order matters.

Phase 4

Permits and pre construction prep

Usually 1 to 4 weeks

Not every kitchen remodel needs permits, but many do, especially when you are changing electrical, plumbing, or anything structural.

This phase is also where the remodel team sets the job up to feel controlled instead of chaotic.

You will usually see things like:

Confirming material arrival dates

Scheduling subcontractors and trades

Planning home protection, including floor coverings and dust control strategies

Setting expectations for work hours and project communication

If you have never lived through a kitchen remodel, here is a simple tip that makes a surprising difference.

Set up a temporary kitchen before demolition starts. Even if it is just a table with a microwave, a toaster oven, and a few dishes, it will save you from feeling completely stuck.

Phase 5

Demolition

Usually 2 to 5 days

This is where things get real.

Demolition is loud, dusty, and fast. A good crew keeps it organized. A messy crew makes it feel like your house exploded.

Typical demo includes removing cabinets, counters, appliances, and sometimes flooring. If walls are being opened, that may happen here too.

The biggest emotional part of demolition is that your kitchen stops being a kitchen. You will feel it immediately. This is the part where homeowners suddenly say, “Okay, I understand why everyone warned me.”

It is temporary, and it is worth it, but it helps to be ready mentally.

Phase 6

Rough work

Electrical, plumbing, framing

Usually 1 to 2 weeks

This is the phase where the remodel is not pretty, but it is important. This is the backbone of the whole project.

Typical work includes:

Electrical upgrades and new circuits for appliances

Outlet and switch placement adjustments

Plumbing updates, especially if sink or dishwasher locations change

HVAC adjustments or ventilation work for the range hood

Framing changes if walls are moved or openedInspections when required

This is also where surprises sometimes show up, especially in older homes. Maybe there is outdated wiring. Maybe there is hidden water damage behind an old sink cabinet. Maybe something was not built exactly the way it should have been decades ago.

The goal is not pretending surprises never happen. The goal is communicating clearly when they do, and making smart choices without panic.

Phase 7

Drywall, paint, and floors

Usually 1 to 2 weeks

Once rough work is done, the kitchen starts to feel like a room again.

Drywall gets repaired and finished. Painting happens. Floors get installed or refinished. Trim work begins.

This is also the phase where homeowners start to feel hopeful again, because visually you can finally see the space coming back together.

If you are doing flooring that runs into other rooms, this phase may take longer. It is not always a bad thing. Many people choose to update adjacent areas at the same time because it can create a more cohesive look, especially in open concept layouts.

Phase 8

Cabinet installation

Usually 2 to 5 days

This is a big turning point.

When cabinets go in, the remodel starts to feel real in a good way. You can stand in the space and imagine daily life again.

Cabinet installation usually includes setting and leveling base cabinets, wall cabinets, and the island. Hardware may be installed now or later depending on the plan.

If you chose higher end storage features like pull out pantry systems or custom organization, those may be installed around this stage too.

Phase 9

Countertops, backsplash, and fixtures

Usually 1 to 2 weeks

Countertops are one of the parts homeowners care about most, and they also influence the timeline more than people expect.

Here is why.

Most countertops are templated after cabinets are installed. Fabrication happens after templating. Then installation gets scheduled.

So even if you already chose your countertop weeks ago, there is still a real sequence that has to happen.

Typical flow looks like this:

Template after cabinets are installed

Fabrication time

Countertop installation

Sink and faucet install

Backsplash install

Final plumbing and electrical fixture placement

This is also a phase where homeowners sometimes get tempted to change their mind. Try not to. Small changes here can trigger schedule changes.

Phase 10

Finish work, appliances, and final walkthrough

Usually 3 to 7 days

This is the closing stretch where everything gets dialed in.

Appliances are installed and hooked up. Final electrical trim goes in. Lighting gets finalized. Touch ups happen. Hardware is confirmed. Final adjustments are made. Then the walkthrough happens.

The best remodels do not end with everyone rushing out the door. They end with a calm walkthrough, a clear punch list if anything needs adjustment, and a final clean space that feels ready for real life again.

If you want to picture the goal line, browse the gallery and look for the kinds of finishes and layouts that match what you want for your home

What most commonly delays a kitchen remodel timeline

Let’s talk honestly about the stuff that stretches timelines.

Late selections, especially cabinets and appliances
Backorders on materials
Layout changes after demolition starts
Hidden conditions like water damage or outdated wiring
Permit timing for projects with larger scope
Mid project add ons, even small ones, because they affect sequencing

The great news is that most of these are preventable when planning is handled well. You do not need a perfect project. You need a clear plan, decisions made in the right order, and consistent communication.

How to prepare your home so the remodel feels easier

This is the part people forget until day one.

A kitchen remodel changes your routine for a while. If you plan for it, it feels manageable. If you do not, it feels like you are camping indoors.

Here are a few practical tips that help.

Set up a temporary kitchen zone
Microwave, toaster oven, paper plates, and a place to wash a few basics
Plan simple meals for the first week
The first week is the most disruptive, so keep it easy
Move anything fragile out of nearby rooms
Demo shakes things. Dust travels. Better safe than sorry
Think about pets
Decide where they will stay during loud days, and how you will keep them safe from open doors and tools
If you work from home, plan around demolition noise
Even one day at a coffee shop can save your sanity
Prepare for the emotional part
Your kitchen will look worse before it looks better. That is normal. It is not a sign something is going wrong.