A typical kitchen remodel in Alpharetta takes 4 to 8 weeks from the first day of demolition to the final walkthrough, depending on how much of the layout, cabinetry, and flooring is changing. A simpler refresh — new flooring, countertops, and paint with cabinets staying in place — can wrap up in 3 to 4 weeks. A full gut renovation with new electrical, plumbing, and custom cabinetry often runs 6 to 10 weeks. Material lead times, not labor, are usually the biggest driver of how long your kitchen remodel actually takes.
Below is a realistic week-by-week timeline based on projects we see across Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, Duluth, and Johns Creek, so you can plan your household around the work.
Week 1: Planning, Design, and Ordering
Before any demo starts, the first week is spent finalizing decisions that are expensive to change later: cabinet layout, appliance sizes, countertop material, and flooring. This is also when a free consultation and itemized written proposal happen, so you know exactly what’s included before work begins. Cabinets and countertops are typically ordered during this week, and lead times of 2 to 6 weeks for cabinetry are common — this is why many “8-week” remodels have only 4-5 weeks of actual on-site work.
What Homeowners Should Do This Week
- Confirm final material selections (cabinet color, countertop slab, flooring plank)
- Set up a temporary kitchen area (coffee maker, microwave, mini-fridge)
- Clear cabinets and countertops of dishes and small appliances
Week 2: Demolition and Prep
Demo day removes old cabinets, countertops, and often flooring. If your project includes ripping out tile or worn flooring, this is when a flooring installation crew evaluates the subfloor for repairs before new material goes down. Dust-contained methods keep debris controlled during removal, which matters most if you’re living in the home during the project.
Week 3: Rough-In Work (Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC)
If the layout is changing — moving a sink, adding an island with outlets, or relocating a range hood — rough-in work happens now, before drywall and flooring go back in. Kitchens that keep the existing footprint often skip most of this week or move through it quickly, which is one reason a partial remodel finishes faster than a full layout change.
Week 4: Cabinet Installation
Cabinets typically arrive and get installed in week 4, assuming they were ordered in week 1. This is a milestone week — once cabinets are set, countertop templating can happen, which usually adds another 1-2 weeks before the countertop itself is fabricated and installed. Any inspections tied to electrical or plumbing rough-in are usually closed out around this point as well.
Week 5: Flooring and Countertops
With cabinets in place, flooring installation often happens next, since it’s easier to lay flush against finished cabinetry. Popular choices for Alpharetta kitchens include hardwood at $6-15 per square foot installed and LVP at $5-12 per square foot installed, both detailed on our flooring installation cost guide. If you’re refinishing existing hardwood instead of replacing it, that runs $3-8 per square foot — see our refinishing cost guide for specifics. Countertop templating and fabrication also happen this week if not already done, with installation typically following a few days later.
Week 6: Backsplash, Paint, and Fixtures
Backsplash tile, wall paint, plumbing fixtures, and lighting go in during week 6. This is also when appliances get installed and connected. For homeowners tackling flooring and kitchen work together, having kitchen remodeling and flooring under one contract avoids scheduling gaps between separate crews.
Weeks 7-8: Punch List and Final Walkthrough
Larger remodels with custom cabinetry, structural changes, or extended countertop fabrication often need an extra 1-2 weeks for final details — cabinet hardware, caulking, touch-up paint, and appliance testing. This is when a final walkthrough happens to confirm everything matches the itemized proposal signed at the start.
What Actually Slows Down a Kitchen Remodel
- Cabinet lead times — custom or semi-custom cabinets can add 2-4 weeks compared to in-stock options
- Countertop fabrication — natural stone slabs often take longer than quartz to template and cut
- Structural or layout changes — moving plumbing or load-bearing elements adds inspection time
- Material back-orders — flooring or tile discontinuations can stall a project mid-way
Getting an itemized written proposal upfront — one that spells out material lead times, not just labor — is the single best way to avoid surprise delays. If you’re comparing quotes from multiple contractors, we’ll beat any written quote for the same scope and materials by 5%, so it’s worth getting a second opinion before committing.
Combining a Kitchen Remodel With Other Rooms
If you’re also updating a bathroom, refinishing hardwood elsewhere in the house, or repainting adjoining rooms, doing it all through one-stop whole-home remodeling with a single crew and contract usually shortens the overall timeline compared to hiring separate contractors for each space. Many Alpharetta homeowners pair a kitchen remodel with a bathroom remodel during the same construction window since scheduling and material delivery can overlap. For a broader look at what different flooring choices cost across a whole project, our flooring pricing hub is a good starting point.
FAQ
Can I live in my home during a kitchen remodel?
Most homeowners stay in the house during a kitchen remodel by setting up a temporary kitchen area elsewhere. Dust-contained work practices during demo and sanding help keep the rest of the home livable, though water and power to the kitchen area will be off during certain phases.
Why does cabinet delivery take so long?
Cabinets, especially semi-custom or custom orders, are manufactured after your order is placed rather than pulled from a warehouse. Lead times of 2-6 weeks are typical, which is why ordering early in week 1 keeps the rest of the timeline on track.
Does adding new flooring extend the timeline much?
Not usually, if it’s planned into the schedule from the start. Flooring installation typically fits into the same week as countertop work, since both trades are working around the newly installed cabinets rather than adding a separate phase.
Ready to get a realistic timeline for your own kitchen? Book a free consultation or call 470-352-1156 for an itemized written proposal built around your space and schedule.