A typical New Jersey kitchen remodel takes 4 to 8 weeks of construction for a mid-range kitchen that keeps its layout, 8 to 12 weeks for a full remodel with walls moved, and 1 to 3 weeks for a refresh. Call (201) 676-3099 or book a free estimate.
A typical New Jersey kitchen remodel takes 4 to 8 weeks of construction for a mid-range kitchen that keeps its layout, 8 to 12 weeks for a full remodel with walls moved, and 1 to 3 weeks for a refresh. Add 4 to 10 weeks before construction for design, permits and cabinet delivery. The single biggest delay is cabinets, so nothing gets demolished until they are on the truck.
Here is the whole timeline, what happens each week, and how to shorten it.
Before demolition: 4 to 10 weeks
Free in-home visit, measure, layout, one itemized fixed price. You pick cabinets, counters, tile and appliances against real allowances.
Most New Jersey towns take 1 to 3 weeks to issue a permit for a kitchen that touches plumbing and electrical. Layout changes with structural work take longer because an engineer's letter or plans may be required.
Stock cabinets: 1 to 3 weeks. Semi-custom: 4 to 8 weeks. Custom: 8 to 14 weeks. Quartz is fabricated after the cabinets are in, so it is not on this clock yet. We schedule demolition for the week the cabinets arrive.
Construction, week by week
That six-week version is a mid-range kitchen with the same layout. A refresh that keeps the cabinet boxes skips weeks 1 and 2 and is often done in 5 to 10 working days. A full remodel that moves walls, relocates the sink and adds an island with plumbing and gas adds 2 to 6 weeks, mostly in weeks 1 and 2.
| Week | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Protection and demolition. Old cabinets, counters, flooring and tile out. Plumbing and electrical rough-in starts once walls are open. |
| 2 | Rough plumbing, electrical and any wall or structural changes. Town rough inspection. Drywall repair and patching. |
| 3 | Flooring goes in. Cabinets installed and leveled. Counter template taken the same day the cabinets are done. |
| 4 | Quartz or stone fabrication, 5 to 10 business days. Backsplash tile, trim, paint and lighting while we wait. |
| 5 | Counters installed. Sink, faucet, dishwasher, disposal and cooktop hooked up. Appliances set. |
| 6 | Punch list, hardware, final town inspection, walkthrough and sign-off. Your final payment is held until this day. |
What actually causes delays
- Cabinets arriving damaged or wrong. We open every box the day it lands, not the day we install.
- Changing the plan after demolition. A new sink location once the walls are closed costs a week and a change order.
- Surprises behind the walls in older homes: cast iron drains, knob-and-tube wiring, rot under the sink. We budget a day for it and tell you the same day we find it.
- Waiting on inspections. We book the rough inspection the day we schedule the demolition.
- Appliances not on site when the counters go in. Buy them before construction starts; the counter cutouts depend on the exact model.
- Special-order tile or a backordered faucet. Pick in-stock items for the small stuff.
How to live without a kitchen
- Set up a temporary kitchen: microwave, toaster oven, coffee maker and a folding table in the dining room. Use the bathroom or laundry sink for dishes.
- Ask us to keep the old fridge running in the garage or dining room during the job.
- Plan for 3 to 6 weeks of easy meals. Most of our customers say weeks 3 and 4 are the hardest, right before the counters arrive.
- If you have a choice, do not schedule a kitchen the month before a holiday you are hosting.
How we keep it on schedule
You get a written finish date with the price. One crew and one project manager stay on your job until it is done, with a photo update every workday. If we miss the date for a reason that is ours, we tell you before you find out on your own, and you hold the final payment until the walkthrough.
Questions people ask next
How long does a small kitchen remodel take?
A refresh that keeps the cabinet boxes and layout takes 5 to 10 working days: paint or reface, new counters, backsplash, faucet, lighting and floor. Add a week or two of ordering before it starts.
Can I live in the house during a kitchen remodel?
Yes. Almost everyone does. Set up a temporary kitchen in another room, expect dust for the first two weeks, and plan simple meals. We seal the kitchen with plastic and run air scrubbers during demolition.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in NJ?
If the job moves or adds plumbing, gas or electrical, yes. Swapping counters and painting cabinets does not. We pull the permit and schedule the inspections in every New Jersey town.
Why can't the counters go in the same week as the cabinets?
Stone and quartz are cut to a template taken from the installed cabinets, so the tops are exact. Fabrication takes 5 to 10 business days. Laminate or butcher block can be faster.
What is the fastest time for a full kitchen remodel?
About four weeks of construction, if cabinets and appliances are on site before demolition, the layout does not change, and the town inspects quickly. Anyone promising a full remodel in two weeks is skipping something.
Need kitchen remodeling near you?
If you searched “kitchen remodeling near me” anywhere in New Jersey, that's us. First Call Contracting is based in Paramus and sends its own licensed crew to all 21 counties — written price before work starts, no deposit, a real person on the phone 24/7.
Want a real finish date, in writing?
Free in-home visit. One fixed price, one finish date, one crew. You hold the final payment until the walkthrough.
Or call Alex direct: (201) 676-3099