Timeline · 8 min read · 2026-03-11
How long does a kitchen remodel actually take in Maryland?
A standard Maryland kitchen remodel takes 6–10 weeks of build time. Total project time from first call to signed warranty? 14–20 weeks. Here's why, where the slippage happens, and how to keep your timeline tight.
Phase 1: Design + estimate (weeks 1–4)
In-home consultation, scope alignment, rough budget bracket — week 1.
Design package, 3D rendering, material sourcing, finish board — weeks 2–3.
Final design review, fixed-price quote, contract signed — week 4.
This phase varies most. Some clients are decisive (week 1 → contract in 10 days). Others — particularly first-time renovators — take 6–8 weeks just on design. We design at your pace, not ours.
Phase 2: Permits + material lead (weeks 5–10)
Permit submittal: filed in week 5.
Permit approval: 3–8 weeks depending on county. Montgomery and Howard run longest (5–8 weeks); Anne Arundel and Baltimore County faster (3–5 weeks).
Cabinet lead time: 4–8 weeks for semi-custom (KraftMaid, Wellborn). Custom cabinetry 10–14 weeks.
Counter template can't happen until cabinets are installed. Counter fabrication: 7–10 days post-template.
Bottleneck: usually the longer of (permit approval) or (cabinet lead). We order materials when contract is signed so they arrive before demo day.
Phase 3: Build (weeks 11–18)
Demo + structural changes: weeks 1–2 of build.
Rough plumbing, electrical, gas, HVAC: weeks 2–3.
Drywall + texture: week 3–4.
Cabinet install: week 4–5.
Counter template, fabrication, install: week 5–6.
Backsplash tile, paint, hardware, appliance hookup: week 6–8.
County final inspection, punch list, walkthrough: week 8–10.
Where projects slip — and how to prevent it
Late material decisions: Picking tile in week 3 of build instead of week 3 of design adds 2–4 weeks. Lock all materials before signing contract.
Change orders mid-build: Each change order adds 1–3 days. Combine all desired changes into a single review milestone if needed.
Permit delays from the county: We can't control the county queue. Submit early, file complete drawings the first time.
Hidden conditions discovered at demo: Mold, asbestos, knob-and-tube wiring, undersized framing — common in older Maryland homes. Adds 1–4 weeks if discovered.
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