Kitchen Remodel: What to Expect From Start to Finish

The Kitchen Remodel Journey

A kitchen renovation is exciting — and, for many homeowners, a little intimidating. The project touches plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, flooring, and more. Understanding how a professional remodel unfolds helps set realistic expectations and removes the anxiety of the unknown.

Here's a phase-by-phase breakdown of how Pacific West handles a full kitchen remodel.

Phase 1: Planning & Design (Weeks 1–3)

Before a single cabinet is removed, we invest time in understanding how you actually use your kitchen. We'll walk the space with you, ask questions, and document existing conditions including plumbing locations, electrical panel capacity, and structural constraints.

From there, we develop a detailed scope of work and layout drawing. This is where material selections happen — cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures, appliances. Getting these decisions locked in early prevents costly delays later.

What you should do during this phase:

• Finalize your appliance choices (dimensions matter for cabinet layout)
• Set a realistic budget with a 15–20% contingency
• Decide on your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves

Phase 2: Permitting & Material Ordering (Weeks 3–5)

For most full kitchen remodels, we pull building permits for electrical and plumbing work. This protects you at resale and ensures the work is inspected to code.

Simultaneously, we order all materials — especially cabinets and custom countertops, which can have 3–6 week lead times. We don't schedule demolition until materials are confirmed and en route.

Phase 3: Demolition (Day 1–2)

Demo day is fast. We protect adjacent areas with plastic sheeting and floor runners, then systematically remove cabinets, countertops, tile, and flooring. We sort materials for disposal and recycling where possible.

After demo, we expose the walls, floor, and ceiling to assess any hidden conditions: old wiring, outdated plumbing, water damage, or unexpected structural elements. This is the moment where surprises surface, and why that contingency budget matters.

Phase 4: Rough Trades (Week 1–2 of Construction)

With the space opened up, our electricians and plumbers rough in the new locations for outlets, under-cabinet lighting circuits, the range hood duct, the sink drain, and the dishwasher. If you're adding an island, we run floor plumbing and dedicated circuits at this stage.

After rough inspections pass, we close up the walls with new drywall and tape/mud.

Phase 5: Cabinets & Countertops (Week 2–3)

Cabinet installation is one of the most skill-intensive parts of the project. Perfectly level, plumb, and square cabinets make everything downstream easier. Our carpenters work systematically — upper cabinets first, then lowers, then the island if applicable.

Once cabinets are set, the countertop fabricator comes out to template. Stone countertops are cut to exact dimensions from that template and typically return for installation 5–7 days later.

Phase 6: Finish Work (Week 3–4)

This phase brings the kitchen to life:

• Tile backsplash installation
• Flooring installation
• Appliance delivery and set
• Plumbing fixture connection (sink, faucet, dishwasher)
• Electrical trim-out (outlets, switches, under-cabinet lights)
• Cabinet hardware and doors
• Crown molding and trim

Phase 7: Punch List & Walkthrough

Before we consider a project complete, we do a detailed walkthrough with you. Every door adjusted, every caulk line inspected, every drawer tested. Your punch list items are addressed before we close out the job.

Typical Timeline

A full kitchen remodel with Pacific West takes 6–10 weeks from signed contract to project completion, depending on scope and material lead times. We build a detailed schedule at the start and communicate any changes proactively.

Ready to Start Planning?

Reach out to our team for a no-obligation consultation. We'll walk your kitchen, discuss your goals, and give you a realistic picture of scope and budget.