How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take in Melbourne?
Updated July 2026
“How long will the kitchen renovation take?” sounds like a straightforward question, but it can refer to two different timelines:
The complete period from initial planning to final handover
The time your existing kitchen is physically unusable
Those periods are not the same.
A properly planned full kitchen renovation will commonly require approximately five to nine weeks of on-site work. The complete process from initial planning, selections and cabinetry production through to handover will more realistically span three to six months.
A simple same-layout replacement may be faster. Structural changes, custom joinery, connected laundry work, flooring or major service upgrades can extend the construction period beyond nine weeks.
These are broad planning ranges—not fixed promises. The scope and procurement strategy determine the real programme.
Typical Kitchen-Renovation Timelines
Cosmetic or straightforward replacement
On-site work: approximately three to five weeks
This may apply when:
The existing layout remains
Plumbing and electrical locations require minimal alteration
There are no structural changes
Cabinetry and appliances are confirmed before demolition
Benchtop and splashback lead times are controlled
Flooring and surrounding rooms remain substantially unchanged
Even this timeline assumes the planning and ordering have happened before the old kitchen is removed.
Complete custom kitchen renovation
On-site work: approximately five to nine weeks
This commonly includes:
Demolition and disposal
Plumbing and electrical alterations
Wall, ceiling and floor preparation
Custom cabinetry
Templated benchtops
Splashback or tiling
Appliance installation
Painting, finishing and final fit-off
This is a more realistic range for an established Melbourne home where the project goes beyond replacing cabinets in the same positions.
Kitchen with structural or connected work
On-site work: approximately eight to twelve weeks or more
This may apply when the renovation includes:
Removing or altering walls
Structural engineering
New windows or doors
Significant plumbing or electrical upgrades
Kitchen and laundry cabinetry
New flooring through connected rooms
Pantry or living-area alterations
Ceiling, lighting or heating changes
Extensive rectification after demolition
The kitchen may be only one part of the construction sequence.
Phase 1: Brief, Site Review and Feasibility
Typical allowance: one to three weeks
The first phase establishes:
What is not working in the existing kitchen
What the household wants to improve
Appliance requirements
Storage needs
Layout possibilities
Connected laundry, pantry, flooring or lighting work
Initial budget expectations
Obvious property constraints
This is where unrealistic combinations of scope, budget and timing should be identified—not after the kitchen has been demolished.
Phase 2: Layout and Renovation Planning
Typical allowance: two to six weeks
The layout needs to resolve more than cabinetry appearance. It should account for:
Walkways and clearances
Appliance dimensions and door openings
Preparation and cooking zones
Pantry and storage
Plumbing and electrical requirements
Waste and recycling
Benchtop areas
Lighting
Adjacent rooms and finishes
Structural or approval requirements
Several layout options may need to be compared before the project direction becomes clear.
Homeowners who begin ordering appliances or cabinetry before resolving this phase often create expensive compromises later.
Phase 3: Selections, Documentation and Pricing
Typical allowance: two to six weeks
Before construction pricing can become meaningful, the project should identify:
Cabinetry finish and internal hardware
Benchtop material
Sink and tapware
Appliances
Splashback or wall finish
Flooring
Lighting and electrical requirements
Painting
Handles and accessories
Work in connected rooms
Unselected items usually become allowances or provisional sums. Those may be necessary in some circumstances, but too many allowances make the final cost and timeline less reliable.
Phase 4: Approvals and Engineering
Typical allowance: project-dependent
A straightforward internal kitchen replacement may not require a building permit. Structural alterations, new openings or other significant work can trigger engineering, surveying or approval requirements.
Apartments may also require owners-corporation approval, contractor documentation, delivery bookings, lift protection and restricted working hours.
These requirements should be investigated before a construction date is promised.
Phase 5: Cabinetry and Long-Lead Procurement
Typical allowance: four to ten weeks or more
Custom cabinetry should generally be manufactured or firmly programmed before demolition begins.
The programme may also depend on:
Appliance availability
Sink and tapware delivery
Cabinet hardware
Benchtop slabs
Tiles or splashback material
Lighting
Flooring
Custom glass or metalwork
A renovation is not genuinely ready to start because the design looks finished on a screen. The items controlling construction must be ordered, confirmed and coordinated.
Phase 6: Site Protection and Demolition
Typical allowance: two to five working days
This stage can include:
Protecting floors and circulation areas
Disconnecting plumbing and electrical items
Removing existing cabinetry and appliances
Demolition and waste disposal
Opening walls where required
Inspecting previously concealed construction
Demolition can reveal:
Water damage
Rotten timber
Unsafe wiring
Outdated plumbing
Uneven floors or walls
Previous unauthorised alterations
Structural conditions that differ from assumptions
A realistic programme should contain a process for assessing and responding to those conditions.
Phase 7: Rough-In and Building Preparation
Typical allowance: one to two weeks
Before cabinetry can be installed, the room may require:
Plumbing rough-in
Electrical rough-in
Structural work
Framing and carpentry
Wall and ceiling repairs
Plastering
Floor preparation
Window or door alterations
Initial painting
Each service must match the approved cabinetry and appliance documentation. Moving outlets or plumbing after cabinetry arrives creates delay and rework.
Phase 8: Cabinet Installation
Typical allowance: three to seven working days
Cabinetry installation timing depends on:
Kitchen size
Joinery complexity
Tall cabinets and integrated appliances
Pantry cabinetry
Scribed panels
Curved or custom details
Connected laundry or living-room joinery
Site access
After installation, the cabinetry must be checked and prepared for final benchtop measurement where required.
Phase 9: Benchtop Measurement and Installation
Typical allowance: one to three weeks
Many stone, porcelain and similar benchtops are finally measured after the base cabinetry has been installed and checked.
The fabricator then confirms dimensions, cuts the material and returns for installation. This creates an unavoidable gap in the programme unless another benchtop system has been selected.
During this period, the kitchen may look close to completion but remain unusable.
Benchtop lead times should be confirmed before demolition—not discovered after the cabinets are installed.
Phase 10: Splashback, Painting and Finishes
Typical allowance: three to ten working days
After the benchtop is installed, the remaining wall finishes can be completed.
This may include:
Tiled splashback
Glass or slab splashback
Final painting
Silicone and sealing
Cabinet adjustments
Handles and accessories
Flooring transitions
Some materials require templating or fabrication after the benchtop, adding another lead time.
Phase 11: Plumbing, Electrical and Appliance Fit-Off
Typical allowance: two to five working days
Final fit-off may include:
Sink and tapware
Dishwasher
Cooktop and oven
Rangehood
Refrigerator connection
Lighting
Power points
Final plumbing and electrical testing
Appliances must be on site and match the cabinetry and services prepared for them.
Phase 12: Completion and Handove
Typical allowance: two to five working days
The final stage includes:
Cleaning
Cabinet adjustments
Defect checks
Testing appliances and services
Compliance documentation
Explaining care and maintenance
Addressing agreed completion items
A kitchen is not complete simply because the cabinets and benchtop are visible.
What Usually Delays a Kitchen Renovation?
Starting before the design is resolved
Demolition should not be used as a substitute for planning. Beginning early can create longer periods without a kitchen and more costly decisions under pressure.
Ordering cabinetry before confirming appliances
Appliance dimensions, ventilation requirements and door clearances directly affect cabinetry.
Changing the layout during construction
Moving a sink, appliance or wall after rough-in affects multiple trades and can invalidate completed work.
Unconfirmed benchtop lead times
Templated benchtops can become the programme’s critical path.
Concealed condition
Existing-home renovations contain uncertainty. The programme should allow the team to inspect and respond rather than conceal or ignore problems.
Separate owner-arranged trades
Owner-supplied trades may be perfectly competent, but unclear responsibility and scheduling can create gaps between work stages.
Apartment and access restrictions
Lift bookings, parking, delivery hours, protection requirements and owners-corporation approvals can affect every stage.
Expanding the scope after work begins
Once the kitchen is open, homeowners often decide to continue flooring, painting or lighting into adjacent rooms. This may produce a better final result but changes the original programme.
How to Reduce the Time Without Cutting Corners
The safest way to shorten construction is to complete more decisions before demolition.
Before the start date:
Approve the layout
Confirm the complete scope
Select appliances
Finalise cabinetry
Select the benchtop and splashback
Confirm flooring and lighting
Order long-lead items
Resolve approvals
Confirm trade sequencing
Plan for concealed conditions
Establish where the household will prepare food
Trying to accelerate waterproofing, curing, fabrication or required trade work is not smart scheduling. It is simply transferring risk into the finished renovation.
How Long Will You Be Without a Kitchen?
For a complete custom renovation, plan for approximately five to nine weeks without a fully operational kitchen.
You may regain limited functions progressively, but the sink, benchtop, cooktop and appliances will not necessarily become usable at the same time.
Before demolition, arrange:
A temporary food-preparation area
Refrigerator access
Microwave, air fryer or portable cooking where safely appropriate
Kettle and basic utensils
Disposable or easily washed items
A safe washing-up arrangement
Protection from dust and construction traffic
Read our guide to living at home during a renovation.
What Should the Contract and Programme Show?
For qualifying major domestic building work, the contract should clearly identify the agreed scope, price, start and completion arrangements and appropriate delay allowances. Consumer Affairs Victoria provides guidance on preparing major domestic building contracts.
Before signing, ask:
What does the quoted duration include?
When will the kitchen become unusable?
Has cabinetry production been included?
When will the benchtop be measured and installed?
Which products control the programme?
Are approvals required?
How are concealed conditions handled?
Who coordinates each trade?
What work will remain at practical completion?
How will delays and variations be communicated?
A four-week “installation time” means little if it excludes planning, cabinetry production, benchtop fabrication or final fit-off.
Plan the Timeline Before Choosing the Start Date
Bluestone Build Co. is best suited to kitchen-led renovations where the laundry, pantry, flooring, lighting or connected finishes form part of the overall project.
Our Renovation Plan costs $500 + GST. It establishes the project direction, scope, sequence, likely programme and major cost drivers before construction dates are promised.
You keep the plan whether or not you proceed with Bluestone. If you engage us to deliver the renovation, the fee is credited back in full.
