Kitchen Remodel Timeline & Checklist for Palm Beach County

Kitchen Remodel Timeline & Checklist: What to Expect

By Andre · South Florida Kitchen & Bath Design · March 1, 2026 · 6 min read

In This Article

Before Demolition
Week 1–2: Demo and Rough Work
Week 3–4: Cabinets and Countertops
Week 5–6: Finishing Work
Frequently Asked Questions

Not knowing what's coming next is the most stressful part of any renovation. Here's a detailed breakdown of what a typical kitchen remodel looks like from start to finish — based on hundreds of projects we've completed across Palm Beach County.

Weeks 1–2: Design & Planning

This is where the magic starts. After your free in-home consultation, our designer creates 3D renderings of your new kitchen. You'll select cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures, and hardware. We finalize the scope, lock in pricing, and submit any necessary permits. Your checklist: Review the 3D rendering, approve material selections, sign the project agreement, set up temporary kitchen access.

Weeks 2–4: Material Ordering & Lead Times

Cabinets, countertops, and specialty items are ordered. Stock cabinets arrive in 1–2 weeks, semi-custom in 3–4 weeks, and fully custom in 6–8 weeks. We use this time to coordinate scheduling and prepare for demolition. Your checklist: Clear the kitchen of personal items, plan meals (we'll set up a temporary cooking station), confirm delivery dates.

Week 4–5: Demolition & Rough Work

Old cabinets, countertops, flooring, and fixtures are removed. If plumbing or electrical needs to move, it happens now. We install dust barriers and protect adjacent rooms. This is the messiest phase — it usually lasts 2–4 days. Your checklist: Stay out of the work zone, keep pets away from the kitchen area.

Week 5–6: Installation

Cabinets go in first, followed by countertop templating (the countertop fabricator measures the installed cabinets for a precision fit). While waiting for countertops, we install flooring, backsplash tile, and lighting. Plumbing and electrical finish connections happen during this phase. Your checklist: Review cabinet placement before countertops are templated — this is your last chance for adjustments.

Week 6–7: Finishing Touches

Countertops are installed (usually in a single day). Sink, faucet, and appliances are connected. Hardware is installed. Touch-up painting and caulking are completed. Your checklist: Test all appliances, run water, check cabinet doors and drawers.

Week 7–8: Final Walkthrough

We do a detailed punch-list inspection together. Any minor adjustments are handled on the spot. We clean the entire space and hand you the keys to your new kitchen. Your checklist: Walk through every detail — open every door, test every outlet, run every faucet. Your complete satisfaction is required before we consider the job done.

Tips for a Smooth Renovation

Set up a temporary kitchen with a microwave, toaster oven, and coffee maker in another room. Communicate early if you have scheduling constraints or upcoming events. Trust the process — the demolition phase looks worse than it is, and the transformation happens fast once cabinets arrive.

Ready to get started? Request your free in-home consultation and we'll walk you through the entire process, timeline, and budget for your specific kitchen.

Get a Free Quote

Free 3D Kitchen Rendering Included

A $500 value — yours at no cost

⏱ We call back within 2 hours · No spam, no obligation

We call you within 2 hours

Free in-home consultation

Receive your free 3D rendering

Ready to start your project? Call (561) 401-0064 for a free in-home consultation, or scroll down to fill out our quick form.

Permits in Palm Beach County: What Actually Takes the Longest

The most unpredictable part of any Palm Beach County kitchen remodel timeline isn't the construction — it's the permit process. Wait times vary significantly by municipality, and choosing a contractor who understands local permitting can shave weeks off your project.

City	Typical Permit Wait	Notes
Boca Raton	2–4 weeks	Electronic submission available; faster for minor remodels
West Palm Beach	3–5 weeks	Can vary; expedite option available for additional fee
Wellington	1–3 weeks	Generally faster; village-level permitting is efficient
Delray Beach	2–4 weeks	City has streamlined kitchen remodel permitting
Jupiter	2–3 weeks	Town of Jupiter; permit required for plumbing/electrical moves
Palm Beach Gardens	2–4 weeks	Online portal available; plan review is thorough
Boynton Beach	3–5 weeks	Wait times have increased; submit early
Unincorporated PBC	2–3 weeks	County permits; covers Lake Worth, Greenacres, Royal Palm Beach, Lantana

When permits are required: In Palm Beach County, permits are typically required when you move plumbing (sink relocation, adding a prep sink), move electrical (new circuits, adding outlets, moving the range), or make structural changes (removing walls, moving a window). Cabinet-only and countertop-only replacements in the same footprint generally do not require permits.

We handle all permit applications, drawings, and inspections for our projects. You don't need to visit the building department or track the permit status — we manage the entire process.

What Can Delay Your Remodel (and How to Avoid It)

Most kitchen remodel delays in Palm Beach County come from the same handful of causes. Understanding them lets you and your contractor plan around them.

Cabinet Lead Times

Custom and semi-custom cabinets typically take 4–8 weeks to fabricate. Stock cabinets are available in 1–2 weeks but offer less customization. Order cabinets before the existing kitchen is demolished — your crew will demo when cabinets arrive, not before.

Hidden Plumbing or Electrical Issues

Once walls open up during demo, surprises happen — old galvanized pipes, undersized electrical panels, or non-standard junction box locations. These add 3–7 days while subcontractors schedule and complete the work. Older homes (pre-1990s) in Delray Beach, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach are most prone to this.

Countertop Templating Gap

Countertops cannot be templated until cabinets are fully installed and level. After templating, fabrication takes 7–14 days. Plan for a 2–3 week gap between cabinet installation and countertop installation — this is normal, not a sign of a problem.

Appliance Delivery Delays

Premium appliances (Sub-Zero, Wolf, Thermador) can have 8–16 week lead times in 2026. Order appliances before the project begins, not during. Big-box appliances are generally available within 1–2 weeks but confirm delivery dates before your project start date.

Living Through Your Remodel: A Practical Guide

Most Palm Beach County homeowners stay in their homes during a kitchen remodel. Here's how to make it livable for the 4–8 week process:

Set up a temporary kitchen station — a folding table with a microwave, toaster oven, electric kettle, and coffee maker covers 80% of daily cooking needs. We help you identify the best location before demo begins.
The dustiest phase is demolition week — cover furniture in adjacent rooms with plastic sheeting and plan to be out of the house for a few hours that first day. After demo, dust is minimal.
Work hours are 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday–Friday — your evenings and weekends are uninterrupted. No hammering before 8 or after 5.
Water will be off for 2–4 hours on plumbing days. We always notify you 24 hours in advance. Keep a few gallons of drinking water on hand that week.
The halfway point looks rough — cabinets in but no countertops, appliances sitting on the floor, no backsplash yet. This is normal. The final two weeks bring everything together quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a kitchen remodel take in Palm Beach County?

Most kitchen remodels in Palm Beach County take 4–8 weeks from demolition to the final walkthrough. Larger projects with custom cabinetry, permit requirements, or significant layout changes can take 10–12 weeks.

What takes the longest in a kitchen remodel?

Custom cabinet lead times are typically the longest variable — ranging from 4–12 weeks depending on the manufacturer. Once cabinets arrive, the installation phase moves quickly. Countertop templating and fabrication adds another 1–2 weeks after cabinets are installed.

Can a kitchen remodel be done in 2 weeks?

A minor refresh — paint, hardware, and a countertop replacement — can be completed in 1–2 weeks. A full renovation with new cabinets, tile, plumbing, and electrical cannot realistically be done in 2 weeks without cutting significant corners.

What causes kitchen remodel delays in Palm Beach County?

The most common causes of delay are permit processing, backordered cabinets or appliances, and scope changes after work begins. Choosing in-stock or semi-custom cabinets over fully custom speeds up timelines considerably.

When should I order appliances for a kitchen remodel?

Order appliances as soon as your layout is finalized — ideally 6–8 weeks before installation. Appliance lead times have been unpredictable in recent years, and having them on-site and ready prevents delays during installation week.

Kitchen Remodel Timeline & Checklist: What to Expect