A custom kitchen is a major investment of time and money, with cabinetry consuming roughly 35 to 40 percent of a total renovation budget. That commitment deserves complete transparency. Kitchen Renovations Vaughan runs a strict six-phase production schedule, and this guide walks through every step so a Vaughan homeowner knows exactly what happens and when.
Phase 1: In-home consultation and measurements (Day 0)
The consultation maps the structural realities of your home before any design work begins. A senior designer visits your property and a laser tool captures floor-to-ceiling dimensions to the millimetre.
The focus is identifying quirks that affect the final price: out-of-square walls common in builder-grade homes, dropped soffits, or condo HVAC bulkheads. Custom scribing to fit these surfaces is one of the hidden costs in installation.
What to Prepare for the Visit
- Inspiration photos: save layouts or door styles you want to replicate.
- Appliance specifications: panel-ready fridges and professional ranges dictate cabinet dimensions.
- Budget parameters: knowing your comfortable limit allows realistic material suggestions.
Phase 2: 3D design and material selection (Weeks 1-3)
Within one week of the consultation, you receive a full 3D rendering and multiple layout options. This phase locks in your aesthetic choices and ends with a fixed-price contract.
We run two complete rounds of revisions, refining cabinet style, hardware, and countertop materials until the layout is right. Photorealistic images let you visualise the result.
The Design Package Deliverables
| Deliverable | What It Includes | Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Layout Options | 2 to 3 spatial configurations for the same footprint. | Included in the planning phase. |
| Material Choice | Plywood boxes, MDF, or solid wood doors. | High impact on the final budget. |
| Hardware Specs | Hinge brands and soft-close drawer slides. | Moderate variable cost. |
| Budget Estimate | Line-by-line pricing for every component. | Defines the fixed-price contract. |
Phase 3: Shop fabrication (Weeks 3-7)
Fabrication happens entirely off-site in our shop over four to six weeks. Raw materials are cut, edge-banded, and assembled into cabinet boxes, with no disruption to your home. Building locally avoids the shipping delays affecting imported cabinetry.
Every piece of premium plywood is cut to the specified dimensions. Solid wood and MDF doors are machined into your chosen shaker, slab, or raised-panel profile. Drawer boxes use dovetail joints for durability over standard dowels, and you receive weekly photo updates.
Hardware Integration
- Salice Progressa: an Italian system that handles heavy 120-pound loads and keeps wide drawers synchronised.
- Blum Tandem: German-engineered, with superior four-way adjustability.
- Dovetail Joints: interlocking corners that outlast glued dowels over 10 to 15 years.
Phase 4: Finishing (Weeks 7-9)
Cabinets move into a finishing room for multiple coats of primer, paint, or stain. The room stays climate-controlled at a constant 45 to 55 percent humidity year-round. That matters in Vaughan, where the seasonal swing from dry winters to humid summers would otherwise expand the wood and crack fresh paint before it cures.
We use high-performance low-VOC European coatings that resist chipping far better than residential house paint.
Standard Finish Options
- Paint: primer, sanding, paint coats, and a clear coat on a 4-to-7 day cycle per cabinet.
- Stain: sealer, stain, and top coats with controlled drying times.
- Lacquer: the most labour-intensive choice, with multiple sprayed coats and a hand-rubbed final finish.
Phase 5: Delivery and on-site install (Weeks 9-10)
Finished cabinets arrive wrapped and palletised for a five-to-seven-day installation. Installers set the lower boxes first, then uppers, doors, and finish trim.
Condo projects in the VMC require freight elevator booking and noise-bylaw compliance, which can slightly extend the timeline. One insider tip: countertop templating only happens after the base cabinets are secured and levelled, so expect a two-to-three-week gap before your stone counters arrive.
Daily Installation Breakdown
- Day 1: base boxes placed, levelled, fastened, and scribed to fit.
- Day 2: upper cabinets mounted, doors hung, hardware adjusted.
- Day 3: countertop templating if stone surfaces are in scope.
- Day 4-5: finish trim, kick boards, and end panels applied.
Phase 6: Walkthrough and warranty (Day after install completes)
A final inspection happens immediately after the trim goes on. We test every drawer and door, fine-tune soft-close resistance, and correct any alignment with a turn of the Blum hinge screw.
Final Inspection Checklist
- Door alignment: consistent gaps and even heights.
- Drawer operation: smooth glide and soft-close under load.
- Hardware tightness: all handles, knobs, and hinges secured.
- Finish consistency: paint or stain flawless under natural light.
On-the-spot touch-ups handle minor scuffs, then the 10-year cabinet craftsmanship warranty is registered in your name alongside a two-year installation guarantee.
What you’ll see and sign
You approve specific milestones before work continues:
- The finalised layout and fixed-price contract.
- Municipal permit applications prior to demolition.
- Physical material samples for cabinet finishes, hardware, and tile.
- The final walkthrough sign-off document.
Common timeline questions
A standard custom build takes 10 to 14 weeks from design to final install. Smaller footprints run faster. We build a contingency buffer into every schedule, since demolishing an old kitchen can reveal water damage or outdated wiring.
- Can the timeline be compressed? Kitchens under 15 linear feet can sometimes finish in 4 to 6 weeks total.
- What about hidden damage? The contingency window is itemised in your contract.
- Can I move the install date? Cabinets are wrapped and stored at our shop if your site is not ready, with one week of notice.
Ready to start?
Precise measurements are the only way to generate an accurate price. Browse our custom cabinet service to see what we offer, explore the cabinet styles we build, or book a free in-home consultation to begin Phase 1.
3D rendering of custom kitchen cabinet design with annotations
