Kitchen Remodeling Guide: Steps, Budget & Timeline

Updated October 2026

A kitchen remodel goes best when you make the big decisions in the right order: goals, budget, layout, cabinets, team, then construction. This guide walks through each one, with what to decide, what to ask, and what to expect. It’s written for homeowners in the Chicago area, but the steps apply to most kitchens.

Quick answers

• Where do I start? With what bothers you most about the kitchen you have now.
• How long does it take? A typical full kitchen remodel with us takes about 8–12 weeks, after design is final.
• How much does it cost? Full design-build kitchens with us in the Chicago area often average $100,000–$120,000. That’s an average, not a quote.
• What costs the most? Cabinets are usually one of the largest line items, and layout changes add work behind the walls.
• How do I choose a contractor? Get several written estimates that cover the same work, and compare what’s included, not just the total.

What are the steps in a kitchen remodel?

1. Decide what you want. List your problems, gather ideas, and find your style.
2. Set a budget. Plan for the average, the factors that move it, and a cushion.
3. Choose a layout. Decide whether to keep, change, or open the room.
4. Plan cabinets and storage. This is where much of your budget and daily use lives.
5. Pick surfaces, appliances, and lighting. Order lead times can affect your schedule.
6. Choose your team. Compare written proposals and ask the same questions of each company.
7. Build. Demo, behind-the-wall work, finishes, and installation.
8. Walk through the finished kitchen. Review the details before you consider the job done.

Step 1: How do you decide what you want from your kitchen?

Start with the problems, not the pictures. Write down what frustrates you: not enough counter space, a dark room, a walkway that cuts through the work area, or a kitchen that’s closed off from everyone else. Then gather ideas.

• A designer can turn a rough idea into a plan that fits your space and structure.
• Pinterest and Houzz boards keep your ideas in one place and give you something to show a designer. You can also browse our own kitchen board on Pinterest.
• Magazines, showrooms, and friends’ kitchens show you finishes in real life.
• AI tools can be useful for inspiration. Read AI kitchen design: can you trust it? before you rely on one for a plan.

Trends can help you see what’s popular, but your kitchen should still look right in ten years. In the 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study of 1,780 Houzz users, wood was the most common cabinet material at 29%, just ahead of white at 28%, and off-white was the most popular wall color at 29%. Not sure whether you need a remodel yet? See signs you need a kitchen remodel.

Step 2: How do you set a kitchen remodel budget?

Set your budget around an average, then name what could move it. As a general reference, full design-build kitchens with us in the Chicago area often average $100,000–$120,000. That’s an average, not a quote. These things move the number:

• Size and shape of the room
• Layout changes, such as moving the sink, range, or refrigerator, or opening a wall
• Cabinetry: custom, semi-custom, and stock are priced differently
• Countertops and appliances
• Flooring, lighting, and hardware
• What’s behind the walls, such as wiring or plumbing in an older home
• Your selections and when materials arrive

Prices can also change if your scope or selections change, or if material costs move. Many homeowners set aside an extra 10–15% for surprises. A budget also helps you prioritize needs over wants, track spending, and make decisions without second-guessing. For the full breakdown, read our kitchen remodel cost guide. If you plan to borrow, compare options and see home improvement loans for remodels and tips for financing a kitchen renovation. Shop around for rates and fees.

Step 3: How do you choose a kitchen layout?

The best layout fits how you cook and where people gather. The common ones are galley, L-shaped, island, peninsula, U-shaped, and one-wall. Each suits a different room size and household.

Some kitchens need more room than the footprint allows. In the 2025 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study of 1,620 homeowners, 35% increased their kitchen’s footprint. If you’re weighing a wall removal or a bump-out, read open vs. closed kitchen layouts and when to consider a kitchen bump-out addition. Working with a small kitchen? See tips for making space in small kitchens.

Step 4: What should you know about kitchen cabinets and storage?

Cabinets shape both how your kitchen looks and how well it works every day. They’re usually one of the largest line items, so decide early.

• Custom cabinets are made to your measurements and use awkward corners well.
• Storage details matter. In the 2026 Houzz study, 94% of renovated kitchens included specialty storage, and 64% had a pullout for waste or recycling.
• Ask about certification. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association says certified cabinets pass 14 tests, including a 600-pound load test.
• Door style affects cost and look. See inset vs. overlay cabinets.

We offer our AnnTucker Cabinetry line and Arbor Mills, a custom cabinet maker in Lockport, Illinois. See AnnTucker vs. Arbor Mills custom cabinets and our AnnTucker cabinetry page. Thinking about a pantry? Read 5 assumptions to reconsider about your pantry.

Step 5: When should you choose countertops, appliances, and lighting?

Choose them before construction starts, not during it. Appliance sizes affect cabinet dimensions, and the lead time on materials can set your schedule. Deciding late is one of the most common reasons remodels slip. Browse countertop design trends for ideas, then plan lighting in layers: general, task, and accent.

Step 6: How do you choose the right kitchen remodeling team?

Compare written proposals that cover the same work. Houzz surveyed 2,866 U.S. homeowners renovating kitchens or baths, and 48% said finding trustworthy pros was a struggle, while 34% struggled to get detailed proposals. (The survey covers Houzz users.) Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Get several written estimates that cover the same scope. The Federal Trade Commission advises not automatically choosing the lowest bidder and asking about large gaps.
• Know what’s licensed. According to the Illinois Attorney General, general contractors aren’t licensed statewide, so verify insurance and references yourself.
• Ask the same questions of everyone. See remodeling contractor questions to ask and how to know your contractor.
• Understand design-build. One company designs and builds, so you deal with one team. Read design-build vs. general contractor.

Step 7: What happens during a kitchen remodel?

A remodel runs in three stages: design, architecture and selections, then production. This is our process:

1. Consultation. A designer walks your space with you and listens.
2. Design/build proposal. You see a floor plan, 3D concepts, and a cost breakdown, and you can revise until it feels right.
3. Project review and selections. Your architect and development team re-check the drawings, and you choose cabinets, countertops, flooring, and lighting.
4. Pre-construction meeting. You meet your project manager and crew lead to review the schedule and work hours.
5. Demo. The old kitchen comes out. It can look chaotic, but it follows a plan.
6. Behind-the-wall work. Plumbing and electrical go in or get updated.
7. Finishes. Walls are painted, and flooring goes down.
8. Install. Cabinets, appliances, and fixtures complete the room.
9. Final walkthrough. We go through the kitchen with you and finish the punch list, and your work is backed by our warranty.

Order can vary by project. See our process for more.

How long does a kitchen remodel take?

About 8–12 weeks is typical for construction once the design is final. Design complexity, material lead times, and changes along the way all affect it. A clear timeline matters: 41% of homeowners in that same Houzz survey said one would have improved their experience.

How do you live through a kitchen remodel?

Set up a temporary kitchen before demo day. A small table with a microwave, a kettle, and a few dishes goes a long way. Pack up the items you won’t need, expect dust and noise, and plan simple meals. Ask your project manager how they’ll protect your home and when work happens each day.

What mistakes should you avoid?

Skipping the plan, comparing only price, and deciding selections late are the most common. Read home remodeling mistakes homeowners make for the full list.

Kitchen remodeling questions

How do I start planning a kitchen remodel?

Write down what you want to fix, gather ideas, and book a consultation with a designer. A good first meeting turns a rough list into a plan.

How much should I budget for a kitchen remodel?

It depends on your project. Full design-build kitchens with us in the Chicago area often average $100,000–$120,000, which is an average, not a quote. Set aside an extra 10–15% for surprises.

Can I change my kitchen layout?

Often, yes. A designer checks the structure first, then recommends what’s possible.

How long will I be without a kitchen?

Construction typically takes about 8–12 weeks. Your project manager gives you a detailed schedule once the design is final.

Should I use AI or Pinterest for ideas?

Yes, for inspiration. A designer then checks what fits your space. See AI kitchen design: can you trust it?

Ready to plan your kitchen?

Talk through your ideas with our team. See our kitchen remodeling page, or local kitchen pages for Itasca, Glenview, and Wilmette.