Most South Florida kitchen renovations take 13–18 weeks from first consultation to move-in-ready kitchen. The gate is always cabinet manufacturing (6–10 weeks). On-site demolition through punchlist runs 4–6 weeks. Design + permitting overlap with the cabinet wait, so the active on-site work doesn’t feel as long as the total calendar. Late material selections are the #1 cause of delays — not contractor speed.
The kitchen renovation timeline question is one of the first things homeowners ask — and one of the most inconsistently answered. Some contractors say “6 weeks,” which is technically the on-site construction time. Others say “6 months,” which includes the full design and lead-time phase. Both are right for different definitions of “start.”
Here is the full, honest timeline for a kitchen renovation in Broward or Palm Beach County, broken out by phase, with realistic ranges based on MSA Premier’s completed projects through 2026.
Phase 1: Design — Weeks 1–4
The design phase starts the day you sign the design agreement. Here is what happens during this window:
- Week 1: In-home measurement session. We use laser measuring tools to capture every dimension, document existing mechanical locations (plumbing, electrical panel location, gas stub), and photograph the current space.
- Week 2: 3D rendering delivery. You receive initial designs showing the proposed cabinet layout, island configuration, and finish options. Most clients request 1–2 rounds of revisions.
- Weeks 3–4: Material selections. You visit our showroom or a stone yard to choose countertop slab, tile, hardware, and paint. Appliances are confirmed during this phase. This is the most critical step — every day of delay here extends the back end of the project.
What extends this phase: Clients who are undecided on countertop material (slab stone requires visiting a stone yard and choosing from 2–3 specific slabs) or who haven’t finalized appliance models. A specific Sub-Zero refrigerator or Miele appliance in a non-standard size can take 12–20 weeks to ship — that order needs to go in during design, not after cabinets arrive.
Phase 2: Permitting — Weeks 3–9 (runs parallel)
MSA Premier submits the permit application in the same week your design is finalized — we do not wait until you’ve selected tile to apply for permits. Permit review runs in parallel with cabinet manufacturing, so this phase doesn’t add calendar time if the project is managed correctly.
- Broward County Building Department: 3–5 weeks for kitchen renovation permits (electrical, plumbing, structural if applicable).
- Fort Lauderdale Building Division: 3–4 weeks typical.
- Boca Raton Building Department: 4–6 weeks typical.
- Delray Beach: 4–6 weeks; sometimes longer in spring.
MSA Premier manages the permit application, revisions, and follow-up. You never call the building department. If a plan reviewer has comments (which happens on roughly 30% of complex jobs), we respond within 48 hours to minimize the re-review cycle.
Phase 3: Cabinet Manufacturing — Weeks 3–13 (the scheduling gate)
This is the longest single phase and the factor that controls the entire schedule. Cabinets are ordered the day the design is approved and the deposit is collected.
- Full custom (local South Florida shop): 6–10 weeks from order to delivery. Our preferred shop builds in Deerfield Beach.
- Semi-custom (Wellborn, Dura Supreme, Wood-Mode): 8–12 weeks. Higher lead time than local custom, but more finish options.
- RTA/stock cabinets (IKEA, Home Depot): 1–3 weeks. Not an option for the renovation tier MSA Premier works in, but worth mentioning for context.
We schedule demolition to start the week cabinet delivery is confirmed — not when it’s theoretically expected. A kitchen sitting open with demolished walls and no cabinets to set is a problem for the client. We coordinate the truck delivery date before we pick up a hammer.
Phase 4: Demolition — Days 1–5 on site
The fastest phase. A full kitchen gut takes 3–5 days for a typical 200–350 sq ft kitchen:
- Day 1: Appliance disconnection and removal. Upper cabinet removal.
- Day 2: Lower cabinet and countertop removal. Flooring if applicable.
- Days 3–4: Drywall removal in areas requiring new rough-in. Opening walls for structural changes if applicable.
- Day 5: Debris haul-out, space prep for rough-in.
This is the dustiest phase. We seal the kitchen with zip-wall barriers, protect all adjacent flooring with ram board, and do a full vacuum-down each evening. The kitchen is effectively unusable during demo — your temporary kitchen setup (refrigerator, microwave, induction burner in the garage or laundry room) needs to be ready before day one.
Phase 5: Rough-In — Weeks 2–3 on site
Rough-in is the behind-the-walls work: plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. This is where we make the changes you planned in design — move the sink, add a gas stub for the range, add circuits for the dishwasher and refrigerator, extend the AC duct if needed.
- Plumbing rough-in: Sink drain and supply, dishwasher drain, ice maker supply, pot filler rough-in (if applicable). If moving the sink requires slab-cutting: add 2–4 days for the concrete cut, drain extension, and re-pour.
- Electrical rough-in: New circuits for dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, range hood, under-cabinet lighting. In Broward and Palm Beach County, a 200-amp panel is the minimum for the appliance loads in a premium kitchen.
- Inspections: Broward and Palm Beach Counties require rough inspections before drywall closes the walls. MSA Premier schedules these and walks each one with the inspector.
Phase 6: Cabinet Installation, Countertop, Finish Work — Weeks 3–6 on site
This is the phase homeowners most look forward to — the kitchen starts looking like a kitchen.
- Cabinet installation: 3–5 days for full kitchen. Precision leveling, scribe molding at walls, custom fillers at appliance openings.
- Countertop template: Done after cabinets are fully set. The fabricator comes on site with a laser template tool. Template-to-delivery is 10–14 days for quartz. Natural stone (quartzite, marble) takes 14–21 days due to slab availability and manual fabrication.
- Backsplash tile: Starts after countertops are set (so the tile can terminate cleanly on the counter surface). 3–5 days for a typical kitchen. Handmade zellige or imported tile that requires dry-layout: add 1–2 days.
- Appliance delivery and installation: Coordinated to land the week after countertops are set. Sub-Zero and Wolf require certified installers for warranty — MSA Premier uses certified installers on every job.
- Paint, trim, touch-up: After appliances are in and backsplash is grouted. 2–3 days.
- Punchlist: Final walkthrough, correction of any items not to standard. 1–3 days.
What Causes Kitchen Renovation Delays (and How to Avoid Them)
1. Late Material Selections
This is the #1 delay cause, by a significant margin. If a client hasn’t chosen their countertop material before demolition starts, the stone fabricator can’t be scheduled, which delays the countertop template, which delays backsplash tile, which delays final appliance install and trim. A two-week delay in selections creates a four-to-six week delay at the back end of the project.
Solution: Make all material selections — countertop, tile, hardware, paint, appliances — during the design phase, before demolition is scheduled.
2. Appliance Back-Orders
Specific Sub-Zero column models, 60" Wolf ranges, and certain Miele dishwasher configurations have 12–20 week lead times in 2026. If the appliance isn’t ordered until after design approval, it can arrive weeks after the kitchen is otherwise complete. Order appliances as soon as the model is selected — during or immediately after the design phase.
3. Building Permit Backlog
Broward and Palm Beach County Building Departments experience seasonal backlogs. Plan reviews slow down in spring (hurricane preparedness season) and immediately after major storms (inspectors are deployed to damage assessments). MSA Premier submits early and manages the follow-up, but a 2–3 week permit review can occasionally stretch to 5–6 weeks during peak periods.
4. Hidden Conditions After Demo
Older South Florida homes (pre-1990) sometimes reveal: old galvanized pipes that need full replacement rather than just re-routing, undersized electrical panels (60A or 100A panels that need to be upsized to 200A before we can add circuits), or asbestos-containing floor adhesive under old vinyl. MSA Premier checks for panel size and known asbestos indicators during the design phase to minimize surprises. But some things are only visible after walls are open.
MSA Premier’s Timeline Management
On day one of construction, every client gets a Gantt-style project schedule showing every phase, every trade, every inspection date, and every material delivery date. That schedule updates weekly. You know exactly where you are in the project at all times — you don’t have to chase us for a status update.
Ready to start? Book a free consultation or call (954) 998-6684. We’ll give you a realistic schedule for your specific project — not a marketing number.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a kitchen renovation take from start to finish?
From signed design contract to first meal cooked in the new kitchen: 10–16 weeks for most South Florida kitchens. Design is 3–4 weeks. Permitting is 3–6 weeks (overlaps with cabinet lead time). Cabinet manufacturing is 6–10 weeks. On-site construction is 4–6 weeks. Total from first consultation: 13–18 weeks.
What is the longest phase of a kitchen renovation?
Cabinet lead time is the scheduling gate. Custom cabinet manufacturing takes 6–10 weeks from order to delivery. Semi-custom national brands run 8–12 weeks. This is why we order cabinets at the same time as permit submission — the two phases overlap.
What causes kitchen renovation delays in South Florida?
The most common causes: (1) Late material selections — if the client hasn’t chosen tile, countertop, and appliances before demo starts, those items become the gate. (2) Permit review backlog at Broward or Palm Beach County. (3) Appliance back-orders (Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Miele specific configurations can take 12–20 weeks). (4) Hidden conditions after demo — old pipes, undersized panels, or asbestos in older homes.
Can I live in my home during a kitchen renovation?
Yes. MSA Premier sets up a temporary kitchen with your existing refrigerator, microwave, and an induction burner. The construction zone is sealed with zip-wall barriers and floors are protected. Demo and cabinet install days generate the most activity. Most clients find it manageable for 4–6 weeks of on-site work.
Does kitchen renovation timeline differ in Fort Lauderdale vs. Boca Raton?
On-site construction time is the same. Permitting varies: Fort Lauderdale typically runs 3–4 weeks. Boca Raton and Delray Beach run 4–6 weeks. Coastal municipalities can be slower in spring and after storms.
How do I make my kitchen renovation go faster?
Three things compress the schedule: (1) Make all material selections before demolition starts — countertop, tile, appliances, hardware, paint. (2) Order long-lead appliances during the design phase. (3) Accept semi-custom cabinets if available in your style — they’re 2–3 weeks faster than fully custom. A well-run project with early selections can finish in 10 weeks. Late selections can push the same project to 18+ weeks.
