Kitchen Renovation Timeline: How Long Does a New Kitchen Take?
5 min read · Updated 26 June 2026
The fitting itself is the part everyone pictures — but it's a small slice of the timeline. From first idea to finished kitchen, most UK projects take a couple of months, and the waiting is mostly upfront. Here's a realistic stage-by-stage picture so you can plan around it.
Stage 1 — Ideas and design (1–3 weeks)
This is where you gather inspiration, settle on a style, and work out roughly what you want and what it should cost. Doing this well — before you talk to anyone — saves time and money later, because you walk into quotes knowing your non-negotiables.
Visualising your kitchen first (free, in minutes) means you arrive at the design stage with a clear brief instead of a blank page, which speeds everything up.
Stage 2 — Quotes and choosing a specialist (1–2 weeks)
Get three quotes for the same spec and compare them properly — not just on price, but on what's included, the lead time, and how well they understood your project. Booking a good fitter is often the real bottleneck: the best are booked weeks or months ahead.
Stage 3 — Ordering and lead times (3–8 weeks)
Once you've signed off the design, units and worktops are ordered — and this is usually the longest wait. Cabinet lead times vary by supplier, and stone worktops (quartz, granite, porcelain) are templated only after the units are fitted, then cut to order, which adds a further week or two mid-project.
Don't book your fitter to start until you've confirmed everything has a realistic delivery date. Starting before the kitchen has arrived is the classic cause of a half-finished room sitting idle.
Stage 4 — Fitting (1–3 weeks)
A typical kitchen install runs one to three weeks depending on size and complexity. Expect a gap mid-fit while worktops are templated and made. Plan to be without a working kitchen for this stretch — set up a temporary kitchenette with a microwave, kettle and fridge to keep life manageable.
How to avoid delays
Most delays come from decisions made late or changed mid-project. Lock in your design, appliances and finishes before ordering; confirm lead times in writing; and hold a small contingency of both time and money for the surprises that appear once the old kitchen comes out.
See it in your own kitchen — free
Upload a photo, choose your style, and watch your dream kitchen come to life. Then get matched with up to three vetted local specialists — no obligation.
Frequently asked
Can a kitchen be done faster?
The fitting can be quick, but lead times for units and stone worktops are hard to compress. The fastest realistic route is choosing in-stock or short-lead ranges and having every decision made before you order.
How long am I without a kitchen?
Usually one to three weeks during the fit. A temporary kitchenette — kettle, microwave, fridge and a washing-up station elsewhere — makes the disruption far more bearable.