The most common lie in remodeling: "4-6 weeks." Real full-gut kitchen remodels in North Jersey run 8-12 weeks from demo day to final walk-through, and it's important to understand why so you can plan (Thanksgiving is 10 weeks away).
Weeks 1-2: Demo & rough-in
Cabinets, appliances, flooring, drywall — everything comes out. Plumbers and electricians rough in any new lines. If you're moving a wall or opening the kitchen to the dining room, this is when it happens. Expect a lot of dust and noise. Full kitchens take about a week for demo alone; the rough-in adds another few days.
Week 3: Inspections & drywall
The township has to inspect and approve rough plumbing and electrical before anything can be closed up. In North Jersey this usually takes 3-5 business days depending on the township. Once approved, drywall goes up and gets skim-coated. This is a slow week — not much visible progress, but it's when problems get caught.
Weeks 4-5: Cabinets & flooring
Cabinets install first. Custom cabinets are the #1 cause of remodel delays — if they're not on-site when the installer shows up, you lose a week. Then hardwood or tile flooring goes in. Some kitchens do flooring first depending on the design; GeoBrix usually installs cabinets first to protect new floors from tools.
Week 6: Countertops
Templater comes out only after cabinets are set (they need real measurements). Then quartz or granite fabrication takes 2-3 weeks. This is why total timeline stretches: you can't skip this step and you can't rush it.
Weeks 7-9: Finish work
Backsplash tile, plumbing final connect, appliance install, electrical trim, trim carpentry, paint. This is where you'll see the kitchen come together fast — it looks 80% done at the start of the week and 100% done at the end.
Weeks 10-12: Punch list & final
Every remodel has a punch list: a smudge on a cabinet, a drawer that doesn't quite close, a plumbing fixture with a slow drip. This week is dedicated to fixing every small thing before final walk-through. Final township inspection happens at the end.
When to start planning
If you want a new kitchen by Thanksgiving 2027, you should be signing a contract by January-February 2027 to allow for cabinet lead times. For 2026 holidays, that ship has largely sailed — but a bath remodel is doable in 4-6 weeks.
Ready to plan a kitchen? GeoBrix does free design consultations across North Jersey — book one here.