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Kitchen Remodel Timeline in Cullman & Smith Lake (Phases, Disruption, and How We Schedule Your Job)

Kitchen remodel in Cullman AL with new cabinets, island, and hardwood flooring installed by Hunter’s Ridge Construction.

Hunter’s Ridge Construction is a licensed general contractor in Cullman. We remodel kitchens for homeowners and landlords in Cullman and around Smith Lake. Our focus is full kitchen projects, clear scopes, and schedules that you can live with. Every kitchen remodel starts with a walk through, a written estimate, and a plan that fits your home and budget.

This guide explains how long a kitchen remodel usually takes in our area. We will walk through phases, real timelines, and what you can expect day to day. If you are thinking about a kitchen remodel in Cullman or Smith Lake and want to know how disruptive it will be, this will help you plan.

Key Takeaways: Kitchen Remodel Timelines in Cullman & Smith Lake

  • Most full kitchen remodels in our local market take 3 to 8 weeks once work starts.
  • Small “pull and replace” kitchens finish faster than full layout changes.
  • Planning, selections, and lead times add time before demolition.
  • Smith Lake homes can take longer because of access, slopes, and deliveries.
  • A walk through, written scope, and schedule keep surprises to a minimum.

During a walk through, we look at your layout, structure, and existing finishes. That lets us build a schedule that matches your kitchen, not a generic “average.”

Phase 1: Planning, Design, and Selections

You do not see this phase on site, but it sets the whole timeline.

What happens in this phase

  • Walk through and measurements
  • Talk through what is not working now
  • Decide on a basic layout (stay the same or open walls)
  • Cabinet style and layout planning
  • Countertop, flooring, tile, and paint choices
  • Rough budget and scope decisions

How long this takes

For most Cullman and Smith Lake homeowners, this planning phase takes 2 to 6 weeks, depending on how fast:

  • You can make decisions
  • Cabinets and materials can be quoted
  • Any layout changes are finalized

This is also when we look at how your kitchen ties into nearby rooms. If you are planning a larger custom home remodel, we adjust the schedule to match the bigger project.

Phase 2: Permits, Lead Times, and Pre‑Construction

Once the plan is set, we get ready to build.

Permits and approvals

Not every kitchen in Cullman needs a permit, but many do when:

  • Walls move
  • Plumbing or electrical layouts change
  • Structural work is involved

We handle permits when they are required. This can add 1 to 3 weeks in the background, depending on scope and the city or county schedule.

Cabinets and materials

  • Stock or semi‑custom cabinets: 3 to 6 weeks typical
  • Custom cabinets: 6 to 10+ weeks
  • Countertops, flooring, and tile often arrive faster

We schedule start dates around when cabinets and key materials will be ready. This keeps the “no kitchen” window shorter.

Phase 3: Demolition and Rough Work

This is when your kitchen first feels “torn up.”

Demolition

We remove:

  • Old cabinets and tops
  • Old flooring, backsplash, and trim
  • Soffits or walls as needed

Demolition usually takes 1 to 3 days, depending on size and what has to come out.

Rough mechanical work

After demo, we handle:

  • Rough plumbing moves (if needed)
  • Electrical updates and new circuits
  • Lighting and outlet changes
  • Any framing adjustments for layout changes

Rough work usually takes 3 to 7 days in standard kitchens. If walls move or structure changes, it can run a bit longer.

During this time, we keep paths clear, protect nearby rooms, and update you on what we find in the walls or floors.

Phase 4: Walls, Floors, and Cabinets

Now the kitchen starts to come back together.

Drywall and wall prep

If we move walls or open soffits, we:

  • Patch or replace drywall
  • Skim and sand for a smooth surface
  • Prime where needed

This step usually takes 2 to 4 days, including drying time.

Flooring installation

If your kitchen floor is part of a larger flooring plan, we often install:

  • Hardwood or laminate through kitchens and surrounding rooms
  • Tile floors in some kitchens

Flooring usually takes 2 to 5 days, depending on product and square footage. In some homes we tie this into a full hardwood or laminate project.

Cabinet installation

Cabinet set is a key milestone. Most full kitchens take 2 to 4 days to:

  • Set bases and uppers
  • Install panels, fillers, and trim
  • Prep for countertops and appliances

We make sure everything is level and anchored before tops are templated.

Phase 5: Countertops, Tile, and Finishes

This phase adds the details that make the space feel finished.

Countertop install

After cabinets are in and tops are templated, countertop install usually happens 1 to 3 weeks later, depending on:

  • Stone shop schedule
  • Material choice
  • Complexity of the layout

Install itself is often 1 day.

Backsplash tile

Once countertops are in, we install tile:

  • Prep and layout
  • Set tile and grout
  • Caulk and detail work

Backsplash work is often 2 to 3 days total.

Trim, paint, and fixtures

We handle:

  • Base and shoe molding
  • Door and window trim touchups
  • Paint on walls and ceilings
  • Plumbing trim, faucets, and other fixtures
  • Final electrical trim and light fixtures

This finishing phase usually takes 3 to 7 days, depending on how many details are in the plan.

How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Really Take?

Every home is different, but here are common timelines once work starts on site.

Smaller “pull and replace” kitchens

Layout mostly stays the same. Good for:

  • New cabinets and countertops
  • New flooring and backsplash
  • Limited plumbing and electrical changes

Typical active construction window:

About 3 to 5 weeks, if cabinets and key materials are ready.

Mid‑range full kitchen remodels

This is where many Cullman and Smith Lake kitchens land.

Often includes:

  • New cabinets and tops
  • New flooring and backsplash
  • Lighting and electrical updates
  • Some layout tweaks, like opening a wall or moving an island

Typical active construction window:

About 5 to 7 weeks, plus planning and lead time before we start.

Larger kitchen remodels with layout changes

Larger projects often include:

  • Removing or moving walls
  • Structural changes and beams
  • Major plumbing and electrical moves
  • Tying the kitchen into a bigger custom home remodel

Typical active construction window:

Often 6 to 8+ weeks, depending on structure, inspections, and how much of the nearby space is included.

How We Manage Disruption During a Kitchen Remodel

We know living through a kitchen remodel is not easy. Our job is to keep it as organized as possible.

Temporary setups

When possible, we help you plan for:

  • A temporary fridge location
  • A basic microwave or hot plate setup
  • Safe walking paths around the work zone

In some Smith Lake homes and tight Cullman houses, space is limited. We talk through realistic options during the walk through.

Dust and protection

We:

  • Use plastic and zip walls where possible
  • Protect floors in non‑work areas
  • Keep tools and debris contained as much as we can

Remodeling is still dusty work, but planning containment up front makes a big difference.

Communication and updates

You will know:

  • When we are starting
  • Who is coming and when
  • What phase we are in
  • What is next on the schedule

If we find surprises in walls, subfloors, or plumbing, we explain options and how they affect cost and time before moving ahead.

Kitchen Remodel Timeline: Cullman vs Smith Lake

The basic phases are the same, but Smith Lake jobs sometimes take a bit longer.

Cullman kitchens

In town, most kitchens benefit from:

  • Easier access for trucks and deliveries
  • Shorter trips for trades
  • Fewer slope and access issues

This often keeps active construction closer to the 3 to 7 week range, depending on scope.

Smith Lake kitchens

At the lake, we often deal with:

  • Steeper drives and tighter access
  • Longer walks from trucks to the house
  • Staging and material handling on slopes
  • Weather and shoreline rules that affect timing

This can push timelines toward the 5 to 8 week range for full projects, even when the scope is similar. We build that into the schedule so you are not surprised.

How We Build Your Kitchen Remodel Schedule

We do not guess at timelines. We build them from your scope and site.

Step 1: Walk through and scope

We:

  • Walk your kitchen and nearby rooms
  • Talk through how you cook, host, and live
  • Note structure, plumbing, electrical, and access
  • Look at cabinets, flooring, and existing finishes

From there, we outline a scope that fits your goals and budget.

Step 2: Written estimate and rough schedule

You receive:

  • A written estimate that shows major line items
  • Notes on selections and allowances
  • A rough schedule with phases and target durations

This gives you a clear picture before we start.

Step 3: Final schedule before demo

Once cabinets, materials, and permits are set, we:

  • Confirm a start date
  • Tighten the schedule around lead times and inspections
  • Walk you through what the first two weeks will look like

That way you know what is happening, when, and for how long.

Ready to Talk About Your Kitchen Remodel in Cullman or Smith Lake?

If you are planning a kitchen remodel in Cullman or around Smith Lake, the next step is a simple walk through. We will look at your current layout, talk through goals and options, and give you a clear written estimate with a realistic timeline for your home.

Call 256-419-2980 or use the contact form to schedule a site visit.

As an enlisted U.S. Army Infantry Veteran, I bring the same focus on planning, clear communication, and finishing the mission to every kitchen remodel we take on.