How long does a kitchen remodel take in Los Angeles?

How long does a kitchen remodel take in Los Angeles?

A kitchen remodel in Los Angeles takes about 4 to 6 weeks of construction for a refresh and about 10 to 16 weeks for a full remodel, according to GreatBuildz, a Los Angeles contractor-matching service, and planning, ordering and the permit come before that.1 Moving the sink, range or a wall, and waiting on cabinets, are what stretch it most.

The figures on this page come from published outside sources. They are not a Home Pro schedule or a promise for your kitchen.

What do published sources say?

• GreatBuildz, Refresh: before construction: Not stated; construction: 4 to 6 weeks; start to finish: Add a month or two for delays. Source: GreatBuildz1.
• GreatBuildz, Full remodel: before construction: Not stated; construction: 10 to 16 weeks; start to finish: Add a month or two for delays. Source: GreatBuildz1.
• Right Image Builders, Kitchen remodel, San Fernando Valley: before construction: 4 to 8 weeks of design, selections and cabinet lead time; construction: 5 to 8 weeks once the permit is issued; start to finish: Not stated. Source: Right Image Builders2.
• Aggregate Construction Group, Full remodel, same footprint: before construction: 4 to 10 weeks of design and selections; construction: 10 to 14 weeks; start to finish: 5 to 7 months. Source: Aggregate Construction Group3.

The ranges differ because each company defines "construction" and "full remodel" a little differently. Right Image Builders notes that custom cabinets and relocated plumbing push a job toward the long end.2

What happens before construction starts?

1. Design and selections. Cabinets, counters, appliances, tile and fixtures are chosen. Aggregate Construction Group plans 4 to 10 weeks for this on a full remodel.3
2. Ordering cabinets. Aggregate Construction Group lists semi-custom cabinets at 6 to 10 weeks and custom cabinets at 10 to 16 weeks or more.3
3. The permit. A kitchen remodel with no structural changes is an LADBS Express Permit, issued with no plan check.4 Moving walls or openings, or adding fixtures through existing walls, goes to a Construction Services Center with plans.5

What is the order of work on a kitchen remodel?

Right Image Builders lists the on-site order as demolition, rough plumbing and electrical, inspections, drywall, cabinets, countertop templating and installation, tile, finish carpentry and paint.2 In that order, counters are templated after the cabinets are installed, so counters come late in the schedule. LADBS says that in most cases a kitchen remodel needs one inspection when the work is complete,5 and that the number and type of inspections vary with the project.7

How does the permit affect the timeline?

It depends on whether the layout changes.

• Same layout. An Express Permit has no plan check.4
• Walls or plumbing move. Plans go to plan check. LADBS counter plan check reviews smaller projects the same day, in about 45 to 60 minutes.6 Aggregate Construction Group plans 2 to 8 weeks of plan check when plumbing or gas moves, plus 2 to 4 weeks for each round of corrections.3
• Inspections. Inspections can be booked for the next business day if requested by 3 PM the business day before through the LADBS automated system, or by 2 PM through the call center.5

Check your address in ZIMAS first. If it is outside the City of Los Angeles, LA County Building and Safety or your own city issues the permit.78 We pull the permits, and the contract should name who does. More in our kitchen remodel permit guide.

What slows a kitchen remodel down?

• Cabinets that are not ordered yet. Custom cabinets alone can take 10 to 16 weeks or more to arrive.3
• Moving plumbing, gas or walls. That adds plan check time and more rough work.23
• What is behind the walls. Aggregate Construction Group suggests holding 10 to 15 percent of the budget for hidden conditions, and more for homes built before 1978.9
• Changes during the job. California requires changes to a home improvement contract to be written and signed.10 Each change can also mean new orders.

How long does it take to replace kitchen cabinets?

Most of the wait is the order. Aggregate Construction Group lists 6 to 10 weeks for semi-custom cabinets and 10 to 16 weeks or more for custom cabinets.3 Replacing cabinets and counters in the same layout falls in the refresh range of 4 to 6 weeks of construction that GreatBuildz gives.1

Can I stay in the house during a kitchen remodel?

Usually yes. Right Image Builders says the kitchen is out of service for the whole construction phase and most families set up a temporary kitchen and stay in the house.2

How do you keep a kitchen remodel on schedule?

1. Make the main selections before demolition.
2. Order the cabinets early, since they have the longest lead time.
3. Get a written schedule and a written contract that says who gets the permits and when the work is to be substantially complete.10
4. Put every change in writing.10

Written by Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc., a general contractor in Tarzana with over 30 years of combined experience. CSLB #1003187.

Next step

To talk about your kitchen, call (213) 770-6727 or send a message through the contact form on our website. We will look at the room with you and talk through what affects the schedule for your layout. Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc., CSLB #1003187.

Related reading

• Kitchen remodel permit in Los Angeles
• How long does a bathroom remodel take in Los Angeles?
• How to choose a remodeling contractor in Los Angeles

Home Pro Green Remodeling Inc. | CSLB #1003187 18375 Ventura Blvd Ste 378, Tarzana, CA 91356 (213) 770-6727

Sources (every page below was opened and read on 2026-11-02)

1. GreatBuildz, Los Angeles Remodel Cost Guide, updated Oct 16, 2026 (kitchen construction 4 to 6 weeks for a refresh, 10 to 16 weeks for a full remodel; add a month or two for delays). https://www.greatbuildz.com/blog/2020-los-angeles-remodel-cost-guide/
2. Right Image Builders (CSLB #1021284), Kitchen Remodel Cost in Los Angeles, Oct 15, 2026 (4 to 8 weeks of design, selections and cabinet lead time, then 5 to 8 weeks on site; order of work; temporary kitchen). https://rightimagebuilders.com/guides/kitchen-remodel-cost-los-angeles/
3. Aggregate Construction Group (CSLB #1034714), homepage planning sheet, kitchen full remodel in the same footprint (design and selections 4 to 10 weeks; construction 10 to 14 weeks; 5 to 7 months start to finish; plan check 2 to 8 weeks if plumbing or gas moves plus 2 to 4 weeks per corrections round; semi-custom cabinets 6 to 10 weeks, custom 10 to 16 weeks or more). https://aggcg.com/
4. LADBS Information Bulletin P/GI 2026-003, Express Permits (No Plan Check Required), effective Jan 1, 2026, revised Jun 10, 2026 (Building item 2). https://dbs.lacity.gov/sites/default/files/efs/forms/pc17/ib-p-gi-2020-003-express-permits_rev-5-28-2024.pdf
5. PermitLA (LADBS), Kitchen remodel (e-permit limits, plans for wall or fixture changes, one inspection at completion in most cases, next-business-day inspection requests). https://www.permitla.org/building/kitchen_remodel_detail.html
6. LADBS, Counter Plan Check (review at the counter in about 45 to 60 minutes). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/plan-review-permitting/plan-check-permit/counter-plan-check
7. LADBS, Homeowner Step-By-Step (ZIMAS check, LA County locator, inspections vary by project). https://dbs.lacity.gov/services/homeowner-step-by-step
8. LA County Building and Safety, Building Plan Check (unincorporated areas and contract cities). https://dpw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety/plancheck/building
9. Aggregate Construction Group, How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Los Angeles, updated Oct 17, 2026 (10 to 15 percent contingency; more before 1978). https://aggcg.com/how-much-does-a-kitchen-remodel-cost-in-los-angeles/
10. CSLB, Contracts and Binding Agreements (contract contents, completion date, changes in writing). https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/hire_a_contractor/Contracts_And_Binding_Agreements.aspx
11. CSLB, Check a License. https://www.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx