It’s one of the first questions every Brisbane homeowner asks before picking up the phone. And it’s a fair one — a kitchen renovation means living without your most used room, so understanding the timeline upfront is just as important as choosing the right cabinet colour or benchtop material.

The honest answer? It depends on the scope. A straightforward kitchen update with no structural changes can be completed on-site. A full custom kitchen renovation — new layout, custom cabinetry, plumbing and electrical work — typically runs for weeks of construction, plus a planning and manufacturing phase beforehand. From your very first consultation to the day you cook in your new kitchen, most Brisbane homeowners should budget for a total renovation cost from start to finish.

Here is what that actually looks like in practice.

Stage 1: Consultation and Design (Weeks 1 to 3)

Everything starts with a conversation. A good kitchen renovation company will visit your home, measure the space, understand how your family uses the kitchen, and start mapping out a design that works for your layout and lifestyle.

At Ace Kitchens, this stage includes a plan then followed up with high end 3D design, so you can see exactly what your kitchen renovation will look like before a single cabinet is built. Decisions made here — on layout, cabinetry style, benchtops, splashbacks, and lighting — directly affect how smoothly the build phase runs. The more clearly you define what you want early on, helps in making a roadmap of the renovation process.

This is also a good time to browse the kitchen gallery for inspiration and get a feel for finishes that suit your home.

Stage 2: Manufacturing and Material Lead Times (Weeks 3 to 7)

This is the stage most homeowners don’t account for, and it’s where timelines most often blow out when working with the wrong company.

Custom cabinetry is not something that comes off a shelf. It is built to the exact measurements of your kitchen, which means it needs to be manufactured before installation can begin. At Ace Kitchens, all cabinetry is built in our own factory in Northgate by our experienced cabinet makers, which gives us full control over quality and turnaround times. We are not waiting on third-party suppliers or chasing delayed deliveries.

During this stage, your trades are also being scheduled — plumber, electrician, tiler — so that the moment installation begins, everything runs in sequence without gaps.

Stage 3: Demolition and Preparation (Days 1 to 3 on-site)

Once your cabinetry is ready and trades are locked in, on-site work begins. The existing kitchen is removed, walls are prepared, and any plumbing or electrical rough-in work is completed before cabinetry goes in. For older Brisbane homes, this stage can occasionally uncover surprises behind the walls — old wiring or outdated plumbing — which is why working with a licensed, fully insured team matters. Ace Kitchens coordinates all trades, so you are dealing with one company rather than juggling multiple contractors.

Stage 4: Installation (Weeks 1 to 3 on-site)

This is where everything comes together. Cabinetry is installed first, followed by benchtops, splashbacks, appliances, and fixtures. Depending on the complexity of your design — whether you’ve gone for two-tone cabinets with a bold splashback or a more streamlined contemporary finish — installation typically takes one to three weeks on-site.

Thoughtful kitchen lighting design is installed during this phase as well, often one of the most impactful finishing touches in a renovation that many homeowners only think about at the last minute.

Stage 5: Final Trades, Finishing and Handover (Days 1 to 5)

Plumbing connections, electrical fit-off, splashback grouting, touch-up painting, and a final quality inspection round out the project. A reputable kitchen renovation company will walk through the finished space with you before signing off, making sure everything is exactly as designed.

What Causes Delays — and How to Avoid Them

The most common reasons Brisbane kitchen renovations run over time are late material selections, trades being booked too close together, and companies that outsource their manufacturing. Choosing a company that handles design, manufacturing, and installation under one roof removes most of these risks.

Timing your renovation also matters more than people realise. To understand the best window to book your project in Brisbane, read our guide on the best time to renovate your kitchen. And if you want to understand what is driving the surge in kitchen renovations across Brisbane right now, this piece on how Brisbane kitchens are changing in 2026 is worth a read.

Ready to Start Planning?

The best kitchen renovations in Brisbane are the ones that are planned well in advance. If you are hoping to be cooking in a brand new kitchen by the second half of 2026, now is the time to book your consultation.

Get in touch with the Ace Kitchens team today for a free design consultation and a realistic timeline tailored to your home.