The kitchen is an essential part of the house, for some more than others. It’s where yummy things come from – where you cook family dinners or just grab a mid-day snack. Whether you are into cooking and love hosting meals or the type of person who uses their kitchen to wash the dishes after a tasty delivered lunch, your kitchen must serve you and all other occupants of the house. It is so much more enjoyable to spend time in a clean, well-organized, aesthetically pleasing kitchen than an old, falling apart, outdated one.
If your kitchen falls into the second category, it is probably time to consider a kitchen remodeling. But wait… doesn’t it take like ages? And where am I supposed to cook in the meantime? Well, it is all solvable and outcome – a lovely renovated kitchen – worth the effort.
So how long should a kitchen remodel in San Francisco and the bay area takes?
The answer to this question, and the reason your location matter, depends on many different things – from labor availably to finish materials shipping times. Here are a few of the parameters that may affect a kitchen remodeling timeline ↓
Your specific kitchen, needs, and preferences
Even in an apartment building where kitchens look pretty much the same, each one is different because of piping locations, structure constraints, and the way the tenets are using it. Your kitchen is different than your neighbor’s kitchen, so the fact it took them three months does not mean this would necessarily be the timeline in your case.
If your kitchen is in relatively good shape and the remodeling work you are interested in would not require changes in floor plan, that’s one thing. However, if the remodeling work requires plumbing relocation and city permits, you should expect a longer timeline. This is because each city permits processing times is different.
A complicated remodeling project requires more work – more specialized subcontractors and more hours invested into working on your new kitchen. In other words: it depends on the project scope.
Planning before doing
A Well-planned project results in faster and better results. Don’t jump into ordering finish materials or apply for a permit before you have all the plans sorted out. That includes the new floor plan, the design – including a detailed list of all finish materials, showrooms, and stores where you will order those from, and most importantly, you are happy with it. If at any point in the planning process you are unsure of something, or if something is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask your project manager – that is what they are there for! If the new plan includes changes in the floor plan, it would be good to consult with a construction engineer or an architect.
All these moving pieces each affect the timeline… the time the designer work on the plans and creating a few layouts for you to choose from, the time it takes the engineer the review your plans, the time you put into choosing the color of the cabinets, the sink, the tiles – all are equally important and require time.
Shipping times
A remodeling project requires materials to work with. Although the work can start with demolition, the rest rely on construction materials and finish materials supply. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply times are longer than usual, especially when imported from the east, specifically China. The high demand for containers causes delays in the supply chain. If time is high in your priorities and you wish to complete the project within a couple of months, you may want to consider ordering only materials currently in stock in your area. It means you might need to compromise on some of your choices, so just consider that. Cabinets modification, or unique marble surfaces, are just some of the things that lengthen such a project. You should also know that the high demand led to increased prices, resulting in higher remodeling costs for the remodeling company, and hence – for you, the customer.
The remodeling company
Many factors influence the decision regarding which remodeling company to work with – but the more important ones should be professionalism and experience. Naturally, professionals do a better job in less time. Plus, an experienced project manager will be able to estimate the remodeling timeline better. Of course, there are always unknowns in a remodeling project, like an unexpected delay in finish materials supply or a load-bearing wall in the middle of the new floor plan – but the general timeline should be relatively accurate. In unexpected situations, the project manager is required to inform you and provide you with an updated timeline.
A remodeling company that works solely in San Francisco and the bay area is familiar with subcontractors, plumbers, electricians, designers, and showrooms. So labor and materials should not be a concern unless attested otherwise, like in the “shipping times” issue. Ask your project manager how long similar projects took his company to complete, and if in doubt – ask to speak to former clients.
Bottom line: what should you expect in terms of a kitchen remodeling timeline?
Depending on the remodeling project's complexity and scope of work, you should expect any time from a month to 6 or even 7 months. This does not mean you will not be able to live in your house during work, but you better plan for a time you are not around, like a summer vacation. To shorten the project timeline, from the moment you decide to remodel your kitchen to the moment you cook the first meal in your dream kitchen, make sure you know what the moving pieces are. Choose a construction company specializing in kitchen remodeling, make sure they are available for work on the date you would like to start and put the time into properly planning your new kitchen. That will result in a temporary inconvenience but would be worth the excellent result – a kitchen which fits your needs and taste.
Are you considering bathroom/kitchen remodeling? ☑
Is your house located in San Francisco and the bay area? ☑
Are you looking for a licensed general contractor? ☑
If your answer to all 3 questions is "yes" – we should talk
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