The most common question at consultations is never about price. It is always about the schedule. Vaughan homeowners want to know exactly when they will lose access to their cooking space. Here is the real data, the causes of delay, and the phase-by-phase timeline you can expect.
The full project at a glance
A typical full kitchen renovation runs roughly 12 to 16 weeks from signing the contract to the final walkthrough. The on-site disruption window is much shorter, a focused 4 to 8 week period. The rest is planning, sourcing, and fabrication.
| Phase | Duration | Core Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | 1 to 3 weeks | Design finalisation, material selection, contract signing. |
| Weeks 3-4 | 2 to 4 weeks | Permit filing and condo board approvals. |
| Weeks 5-10 | 4 to 8 weeks | Cabinet shop fabrication and finishing. |
| Weeks 8-10 | 1 to 2 weeks | Demolition and rough-in. |
| Weeks 10-14 | 2 to 4 weeks | Cabinet install, counters, tile, fixtures, finishing. |
| Week 14-16 | 1 week | Final walkthrough and deficiency resolution. |
Phase 1: In-home consultation and design (1-3 weeks)
This planning stage takes 1 to 3 weeks. We visit your home to take precise measurements, document the mechanicals, and photograph the space. Two rounds of design revisions are standard before final sign-off. Have your appliance specifications finalised early, since fridge and stove dimensions dictate the entire cabinet layout.
Condo design requirements
VMC condo owners face additional steps. We check the building’s alteration agreement to see what the board allows. Elevator dimensions, quiet hours, and electrical panel capacity all need to be documented early to prevent delays.
Phase 2: Contract and permits (1-4 weeks)
We issue a detailed, fixed-price contract once the design is approved. The contract and permit phase spans 1 to 4 weeks depending on municipal processing.
If your scope triggers a City of Vaughan building permit, simple interior alterations typically clear review in a couple of weeks. We start ordering long-lead materials and begin cabinet fabrication in parallel, so the permit review does not freeze the schedule.
When permits take longer
Major structural changes require a standard permit review of several weeks. If your design needs a Minor Variance through the Committee of Adjustment, add a few months for the hearing and processing.
Phase 3: Cabinet fabrication (4-6 weeks)
Custom cabinets built in our shop typically take 4 to 6 weeks from material order to final finishing coat. This is the longest single stretch, managed off-site with no construction in your home yet.
Specialty finishes push the window to 8 or even 12 weeks. These include:
- Solid wood doors
- Hand-applied multi-step lacquers
- Exotic veneers
- Custom stain matching
Phase 4: Demolition and rough-in (1-2 weeks)
Demolition and rough-in wrap up in 1 to 2 weeks. This is when on-site disruption begins. We protect your floors and adjacent rooms with heavy-duty barriers before work starts.
- Plumbing: relocating drains and supply lines for new sink or dishwasher positions.
- Electrical: adding dedicated circuits, GFCI outlets, and lighting feeds.
- HVAC: modifying ductwork for new range hood venting.
- Drywall: patching and boarding any altered walls.
- Inspections: passing the required Electrical Safety Authority and municipal checks.
Phase 5: Install and finishing (2-3 weeks)
The final installation takes 2 to 3 weeks. Base and upper cabinet boxes go in first, then doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. We template the countertops only after the base cabinets are level and secured, and stone fabricators need 1 to 2 weeks to cut and polish.
- Installing the tile backsplash and grouting.
- Connecting the sink, faucet, and dishwasher.
- Installing light fixtures and under-cabinet lighting.
- Painting the walls, ceiling, and trim.
Kitchen Renovations Vaughan sends daily site updates with photos so you can track progress without being there.
Phase 6: Walkthrough and warranty (a few days)
The final walkthrough takes a few days. We look for misaligned drawers, chipped tile edges, or missing toe-kick trim and resolve each item on the spot or within a few days. The 10-year cabinet craftsmanship warranty and the 2-year installation warranty are then registered in your name.
What extends timelines
Three factors derail more schedules than anything else:
- Condo board approvals: boards can take 2 to 6 weeks to review and approve a renovation agreement.
- Custom material lead times: hand-glazed tiles or specialty European appliances can take months to arrive.
- Surprises behind the walls: in Vaughan’s 1990s and 2000s homes, the common find is an undersized electrical panel or HVAC ducting hidden in a wall you want to remove. Older village-core homes can hide dated wiring.
We build a contingency window into every contract and give you a phase-by-phase timeline, updated every Friday with photos. See how the process works or request a free in-home estimate for a project-specific timeline.
Week-by-week Toronto kitchen renovation timeline chart
