Ask three contractors how long a kitchen remodel takes and you’ll get three different answers. Here’s the honest one from a contractor who runs kitchen remodels across Austin and Round Rock every month: 3 to 6 weeks of construction, plus 2 to 4 weeks of planning before a single hammer swings.

The planning phase is where timelines are actually won or lost. Here’s how it all breaks down.

Before week 1: planning (2–4 weeks)

Nothing gets demolished until these are done:

• Design + selections. Cabinets, counters, tile, fixtures, paint colors — every choice finalized. Mid-project changes are the #1 cause of delays.
• Cabinets ordered. Semi-custom cabinets currently run 4–8 weeks. We order before demolition so they arrive on schedule, not after.
• Permits. If we’re touching electrical, plumbing, or structure, the City of Austin (or Williamson County, depending on where you are) needs to sign off. We handle all of it — add $500–$2,000 and a few weeks.

Homeowner tip: the families whose remodels finish on time are the ones who picked everything before demo day. No exceptions.

Week 1: demolition + discovery

• Demolition takes 1–2 days. Old cabinets, counters, flooring, and drywall come out; a dumpster sits in the driveway.
• We protect the rest of your home — floors covered, doorways sealed with plastic, dust barriers up.
• Discovery: once walls are open, we see what’s really there. 1970s–90s Austin homes sometimes hide outdated wiring, old plumbing, or framing surprises. This is exactly why every AusCraft quote includes a 10% contingency line.

Week 2: rough electrical, plumbing + framing

• New wiring for lighting, outlets, and appliances. New plumbing runs if the sink or gas line is moving.
• Any framing changes — opening a wall, adding a header, building a pantry.
• First inspections. The city inspects rough-in work before walls close. Inspection scheduling is the one timeline factor we don’t fully control — Austin inspectors are typically 2–3 days out.

Week 3: drywall + cabinet delivery

• Drywall hung, taped, floated, and textured to match your home.
• Cabinets arrive and get checked against the order — every box, every door, every pull.
• If anything arrived damaged or wrong, this is the week we find out, while there’s still schedule to absorb it.

Week 4: cabinet install + countertop template

• Cabinets go in — this is the week your kitchen starts looking like a kitchen again.
• Countertops get templated (measured with lasers) after cabinets are set. Fabrication takes 1–2 weeks, so this timing is baked into the schedule, not a surprise.

Week 5: counters, tile, flooring + paint

• Countertops installed, backsplash tile set and grouted.
• Flooring goes in (we do floors after cabinets to protect the finish).
• Full paint: ceiling, walls, trim — crisp lines, premium paint.

Week 6: fixtures, appliances + final walkthrough

• Sink, faucet, and disposal set. Appliances installed and tested.
• Electrical trim-out: outlets, switches, under-cabinet lighting, pendants.
• Punch list + final walkthrough with you. We don’t call it done until you do.
• Final city inspection, and you get your kitchen back.

What actually delays kitchen remodels in Austin

1. Change orders mid-project. Moving a wall after framing is built costs two weeks, not two days.
2. Cabinet lead times. Ordered late = everything after it slides.
3. Inspection scheduling. Usually minor, occasionally a week.
4. Material backorders. We confirm stock on every selection before demo.
5. What’s behind the walls. Old wiring, old plumbing, old surprises — the contingency covers it.

How we keep yours on schedule

• Every selection finalized before demolition day.
• Fixed-price, itemized quote — no allowances that turn into change orders.
• One dedicated point of contact and weekly progress updates.
• We don’t start your demo until your cabinets are ordered and confirmed.

Quick answers

How long does a kitchen remodel take in Austin?
Most land between 3 and 6 weeks of construction, plus 2–4 weeks of planning. Cosmetic refreshes can finish in 2–3 weeks; layout changes with structural work push toward 8.

Can we stay in the house during the remodel?
Usually yes. We seal off the work area, keep a clean jobsite, and set up a temporary kitchen station (microwave, coffee, mini-fridge) so you’re not eating takeout for six weeks.

What’s the longest single phase?
Cabinet lead time — 4–8 weeks — which is why we order before demolition. During construction itself, rough-in plus inspections is the least predictable stretch.

Do you handle permits and inspections?
Yes — we pull every required permit and schedule every inspection, Austin or Williamson County.

Planning a kitchen remodel in Austin or Round Rock? Call (737) 343-0444 or request your free estimate — we’ll walk your kitchen, talk timeline, and give you a real number.