How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take on Long Island?

A kitchen remodel is one of the most impactful improvements you can make to your Long Island home — but it’s also one of the most disruptive. Knowing how long the project will take helps you plan around the inconvenience, set realistic expectations, and make decisions that keep things on track.

The honest answer is that timelines vary significantly depending on the scope of your project. A cosmetic refresh might take a couple of weeks. A full gut renovation with layout changes could take three to four months. Here’s a detailed breakdown so you know what to expect.

Timeline by Scope of Project

Cosmetic Refresh: 1–3 Weeks

A cosmetic kitchen refresh keeps the existing layout, cabinets, and plumbing in place. You’re updating the surface-level finishes to give the kitchen a new look without major construction.

Typical work includes:

• Painting or refacing cabinet doors
• New countertops (installed on existing cabinets)
• New backsplash tile
• Updated hardware (pulls, knobs, hinges)
• New light fixtures
• Fresh paint on walls and trim
• Updated faucet and sink

Why it’s fast: No plumbing relocation, no electrical changes, no structural work, and no permits required in most cases. The existing layout stays the same, so there’s no demolition or reconfiguration.

Disruption level: Moderate. You’ll lose use of your kitchen for portions of the process, but most of the work is quick and sequential. Many homeowners can still use the kitchen partially during a cosmetic refresh.

Mid-Range Remodel: 5–8 Weeks

A mid-range remodel involves replacing most of the kitchen components but generally keeps the same basic layout. You’re getting new everything, but the sink, stove, and refrigerator stay roughly where they are.

Typical work includes:

• Full demolition of existing cabinets, countertops, and backsplash
• New custom or semi-custom cabinetry
• New countertops (quartz, granite, or butcher block)
• New tile backsplash
• New flooring
• Updated plumbing fixtures (same locations)
• Updated electrical — new outlets, under-cabinet lighting
• New appliances
• Painting and trim work

Typical timeline breakdown:

• Demolition: 2–3 days
• Rough plumbing and electrical: 3–5 days
• Inspections: 1–3 days (waiting for inspector)
• Drywall patching and prep: 2–3 days
• Cabinet installation: 3–5 days
• Countertop templating and fabrication: 7–10 days (measured after cabinets are in)
• Countertop installation: 1 day
• Backsplash tile: 2–3 days
• Flooring: 2–3 days
• Plumbing and electrical trim-out (fixtures, outlets, switches): 1–2 days
• Painting and touch-up: 2–3 days
• Appliance installation: 1 day
• Final punch list: 1–2 days

Why it takes longer: Even though the layout stays the same, new cabinets, countertops, and tile all have lead times. Countertops in particular must be templated after cabinets are installed, then fabricated and installed — that fabrication window typically takes 7–10 business days and is outside the contractor’s control.

Full Gut Remodel: 10–16 Weeks

A full gut remodel changes everything — including the layout. Walls may come down, plumbing and electrical get relocated, and the kitchen is rebuilt from the studs out.

Typical work includes:

• Everything in the mid-range scope, plus:
• Complete demolition to studs
• Structural modifications (removing or opening walls, adding beams)
• Plumbing relocation for new layout
• Electrical service upgrades or panel work
• New gas line routing (if applicable)
• Subflooring replacement or leveling
• New insulation and drywall
• Potentially new windows or exterior door

Typical timeline breakdown:

• Demolition: 3–5 days
• Structural work (beams, headers, framing): 3–7 days
• Rough plumbing relocation: 3–5 days
• Rough electrical: 3–5 days
• Inspections: 3–7 days (multiple inspections at different stages)
• Insulation and drywall: 5–7 days (including taping, mudding, sanding)
• Priming and prep painting: 2–3 days
• Cabinet installation: 3–5 days
• Countertop templating and fabrication: 7–14 days
• Countertop installation: 1 day
• Backsplash and tile work: 3–5 days
• Flooring installation: 3–5 days
• Plumbing and electrical trim-out: 2–3 days
• Appliance installation and hookup: 1–2 days
• Finish painting and trim: 3–5 days
• Final inspections: 2–5 days
• Punch list and final details: 2–3 days

Why it takes so long: Layout changes require structural engineering, multiple permit inspections, and relocation of mechanical systems. Each of these steps has dependencies — you can’t hang drywall until rough inspections pass, you can’t template countertops until cabinets are installed, and so on.

What Causes Delays?

Understanding common delay factors helps you plan and, in many cases, avoid them.

Material Lead Times

This is the number one cause of kitchen remodel delays. Custom cabinetry can take 6–12 weeks from order to delivery. Even semi-custom and stock cabinets may have 2–4 week lead times. Specialty tile, imported materials, and certain countertop slabs can add waiting time.

How to avoid it: Finalize material selections early — ideally before demolition begins. Order cabinets, countertops, tile, and appliances as soon as your design is locked in. A good contractor will build the ordering timeline into the project schedule.

Permit and Inspection Delays

On Long Island, building permits are required for any kitchen remodel that involves electrical, plumbing, or structural changes. Permit approval times vary by municipality — some are fast (1–2 weeks), others can take 4–6 weeks or more. Inspection scheduling also adds time, as you need to coordinate with the building department for each phase.

How to avoid it: Submit permit applications as early as possible. Your contractor should be familiar with the local process and timeline. In towns with slower permitting, plan for this in your overall schedule.

Change Orders

Changing your mind on materials, layout, or design decisions during construction is the most controllable cause of delay. Every change requires reworking schedules, reordering materials, and sometimes undoing completed work.

How to avoid it: Make all major design decisions before construction starts. Live with your choices for a few days before finalizing. A thorough planning and design phase up front saves weeks during construction.

Unexpected Discoveries

Once you open up walls and floors, you sometimes find surprises — old knob-and-tube wiring, asbestos insulation, water damage, termite damage, or plumbing that doesn’t meet current code. These issues need to be addressed before the remodel continues.

How to avoid it: You can’t always prevent surprises, but working with an experienced contractor who knows what to look for helps. A pre-construction assessment can identify some potential issues before demolition.

Contractor Scheduling

Some delays come from poor project management — trades not showing up, gaps between phases, or the project being deprioritized in favor of other jobs.

How to avoid it: Choose a general contractor who manages all trades in-house or has dedicated subcontractor relationships. Ask about their current workload and how many projects they run simultaneously. A contractor who takes on fewer projects at once will keep yours moving.

Tips to Stay on Schedule

Based on our experience remodeling kitchens across Nassau and Suffolk County, here are the most effective ways to keep your project on track:

1. Start planning early. Begin material selection and design decisions at least 2–3 months before your target start date. This gives time for cabinet orders, permit applications, and countertop selection.

2. Finalize everything before demo day. Cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures, hardware, appliances, paint colors — all of it. Last-minute decisions cause delays.

3. Set up a temporary kitchen. A card table, microwave, coffee maker, and a cooler in another room makes the disruption much more manageable and removes the pressure to rush the project.

4. Trust the process. There will be phases where it feels like nothing is happening — waiting for inspections, waiting for countertop fabrication, waiting for a specialty item to ship. These are normal parts of a kitchen remodel.

5. Communicate regularly with your contractor. Weekly check-ins keep everyone aligned. Ask about the upcoming week’s schedule and any potential issues on the horizon.

How Permits Factor In on Long Island

Most Long Island municipalities require building permits for kitchen remodels that involve electrical, plumbing, or structural work. Here’s what to expect:

• Application and approval: 1–6 weeks depending on the municipality. Some towns in Nassau and Suffolk County have streamlined processes; others are slower.
• Inspections required: Rough framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, insulation, and final inspections are typical. Each requires scheduling with the building department.
• Impact on timeline: Permits and inspections can add 2–4 weeks to your overall project timeline. However, an experienced contractor factors this into the schedule from the start.

Skipping permits is never advisable. Unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell your home, void insurance coverage, and result in fines. A licensed contractor handles the permit process for you as part of managing the project.

Plan Your Kitchen Remodel with Confidence

A kitchen remodel is a significant investment of money, time, and patience — but the result is a space you’ll use and enjoy every single day. Understanding realistic timelines helps you plan around the disruption and make smart decisions that keep the project moving.

At JZ Development, we’ve completed kitchen remodels across Long Island at every scope — from weekend refreshes to full gut renovations that transform the heart of the home. We provide detailed timelines during the planning phase and keep you informed at every stage.

Ready to start planning your kitchen remodel? Call us at (631) 605-9851 for a free estimate and consultation. We’ll assess your space, discuss your goals, and give you a realistic timeline and budget — no surprises, no pressure.