Renovations

Kitchen Renovation Timeline: What to Expect in Surrey & Burnaby

February 25, 2026 8 min read

A typical Surrey or Burnaby kitchen renovation takes 6–10 weeks on site once cabinetry is built, plus 4–8 weeks of design, selections, and shop fabrication before demolition. Structural changes or permits can add another 4–6 weeks.

A typical kitchen renovation in Surrey, Burnaby, Vancouver, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland runs 6–10 weeks from demolition to final walkthrough, assuming no structural changes. Here's how the time breaks down.

Before the project starts (4–8 weeks of pre-work)

·Design and cabinet drawings approved
·Cabinet fabrication begins in the shop
·Permits filed (if required for plumbing or electrical relocations)
·Countertop template scheduled
·Appliances confirmed and delivered

Week 1 — Demolition & rough-in

·Tear out existing cabinets, counters, flooring, and backsplash
·Rough plumbing relocations
·Rough electrical (new outlets, under-cabinet lighting, pendants)
·Rough HVAC if range hood ducting is changing
·First city inspection

Week 2 — Drywall, paint & flooring prep

·Patch and finish drywall after rough-in
·Prime walls and ceilings
·Subfloor prep and levelling
·New flooring installed (or sealed and protected if already in place)

Week 3 — Cabinet installation

·Base cabinets levelled, scribed to walls
·Upper cabinets installed
·Filler strips, toe-kicks, and crown applied
·Refrigerator and oven openings checked

Week 4 — Countertop measure & install

·Final template once cabinets are set
·7–14 day fabrication window for quartz, granite, or marble
·Sink and faucet plumbed during install

Week 5 — Backsplash, appliances & first paint coats

·Tile backsplash installed
·Appliances slid into place and connected
·First finish coats of paint
·Range hood vented and trimmed

Week 6 — Punch list & final paint

·Cabinet hardware installed
·Touch-ups, caulking, and final paint
·Dishwasher and disposal hookups tested
·Final electrical and plumbing inspection
·Walkthrough and key handover

What can extend the timeline

·Structural changes (load-bearing walls)
·Cabinet design changes mid-build
·Countertop slab delays
·Appliance backorders
·Permit inspections rescheduled

What we do to keep it on track

·Weekly schedule shared with you
·One project lead, one phone number for questions
·All trades booked in sequence before week 1
·Materials staged and ordered before demo starts

Planning a Lower Mainland kitchen renovation? Get a free quote and we'll hand you a real schedule before any deposit.

Frequently Asked

Questions we get asked

How long does a kitchen renovation take in Surrey or Burnaby?

Plan on 6 to 10 weeks of on-site work from demolition to final walkthrough, preceded by 4 to 8 weeks of design, selections, and cabinet fabrication. Permits or structural changes typically add four to six weeks.

What part of a kitchen renovation takes the longest?

Cabinet fabrication and countertop templating are the longest lead items. Cabinets often take six to ten weeks to build and stone counters need one to two weeks between template and install.

Can I live in my home during a kitchen renovation?

Most homeowners stay in the home and set up a temporary kitchen with a fridge, microwave, and sink access elsewhere. Dust barriers and daily cleanup make this manageable for a 6 to 10 week schedule.

When should I order appliances?

Order appliances before cabinetry is built. Final cabinet dimensions depend on exact appliance specs, and a substitution after fabrication usually means rebuilt boxes and lost weeks.