The most common misunderstanding about remodeling schedules is where the time actually goes. Homeowners picture demolition-to-done. In reality a meaningful part of the calendar happens before the first day on site, and the work itself moves faster than most people expect once it starts.
Before anything is demolished
Design, selections and a written estimate usually take two to four weeks depending on how quickly decisions get made. Cabinetry then has to be ordered, and lead time is the single biggest variable in the entire project — stock can arrive in a couple of weeks, custom can take considerably longer.
Permitting runs in parallel where it can. In Martin County and most municipalities the review is predictable; where architectural or HOA review is involved, that becomes the critical path.
A typical kitchen, once work starts
Week 1 — Demolition and discovery
Protection goes down, cabinets and counters come out, and whatever is behind the walls becomes visible. This is when surprises appear, and it is the week where an experienced crew earns its keep by handling them without stopping the job.
Weeks 2–3 — Rough-in
Plumbing and electrical are moved and roughed in, any framing changes are made, and inspections are called. Nothing looks like progress to a homeowner during this phase, and it is the most important part of the project.
Weeks 3–4 — Walls and floors
Drywall, texture and paint, then flooring where it runs under the cabinets. This is where the room starts reading as a room again.
Weeks 4–5 — Cabinets
Cabinets are set and scribed to the walls. Then the counter fabricator templates the actual installed cabinets — not the drawing — and stone fabrication typically takes one to two weeks from that template.
Weeks 6–7 — Counters, backsplash, finish
Stone is installed, the sink and faucet are plumbed, backsplash tile goes on, appliances are set, and electrical and plumbing trim out.
Week 7–8 — Punch list
Hardware, touch-ups, adjusting every door and drawer, final inspection and walkthrough. Most kitchens land in the four-to-eight-week range on site; layout changes and custom cabinetry push toward the top of it.
Bathrooms are shorter but tighter
A full bathroom is typically two to four weeks on site. The room is smaller, but the trades stack in a confined space and waterproofing cannot be rushed — pan and membrane work needs proper cure time before tile, and skipping that is how leaks are built in.
If it is the only bathroom in the house, that is a real conversation to have before starting rather than during.
What actually causes delays
- Material lead times — especially cabinetry and specialty tile.
- Decisions made late. Every day a tile selection is open is a day the schedule cannot be committed.
- Change orders mid-project, which is why we push hard on finalizing design before demolition.
- Genuine surprises behind the walls in older homes.
- HOA or architectural review, where applicable.
Four of those five are manageable with planning. We give a realistic timeline at the estimate and update it in writing if anything moves — the schedule you get on day one should still mean something in week four.