Picture your kitchen with the old cabinets removed, with dishes piled in the dining room and no end date in sight. If you’re asking, “How long does it take to install kitchen cabinets?” the short answer is one to three days for physical installation, and several weeks from removal to final hardware installation.
Todd Thomas Home, a licensed kitchen cabinet contractor in Melbourne, FL, has earned Angi’s Super Service Award for 12 consecutive years and answers this question every week. Below, you’ll find a phase-by-phase breakdown of what happens between demolition day and the moment your new cabinets are ready for daily use.
The Step-by-Step Cabinet Installation Timeline
Knowing how long cabinet installation takes starts with understanding each phase of the process, since every stage builds directly on the one before it. Cabinet delivery time and site conditions both shape this portion of the kitchen remodeling timeline, and the work typically breaks down as follows:
- Demolition and prep (days one and two): Crews remove old cabinets, check walls and floors for level surfaces, and coordinate with plumbers and electricians to adjust outlets, gas lines, and plumbing to accommodate the new layout.
- Box delivery and cabinet hanging (days three and four): Installers unbox, sort, and verify each cabinet before setting and leveling the base units with shims, then securely anchoring the upper cabinets to the wall studs.
- Doors, drawers, and trim (day five): The team installs drawer slides and doors, then uses fillers and scribe trim for seamless edges. Crown molding and toe kicks complete the custom fit.
- Countertop templating and fabrication (intermission: one to two weeks): Once the base cabinets are 100% installed and level, CounterKraft takes exact digital templates, and fabrication usually takes 7 to 14 business days before installation.
- Hardware and final adjustments (one day post-countertop): Crews mount handles and knobs, fine-tune soft-close hinges, and complete a final walkthrough to confirm everything works properly.
Altogether, the hands-on portion of a standard kitchen takes one to three days, while the full project, from demolition through final hardware, can take several weeks, depending on complexity.
Key Factors That Can Extend or Speed Up Your Timeline
The cabinet installation process can move quickly or slowly, depending on a handful of variables that homeowners rarely think about until they’re mid-project. A few of the biggest variables are as follows:
- Cabinet material and style: Preassembled stock and semi-custom units made from MDF or plywood install faster than ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets or intricate custom pieces requiring on-site scribe work.
- Condition of your walls and floors: Older homes with uneven floors or bowed drywall need extra shimming and leveling, which adds hours to the schedule.
- Layout changes versus a same-footprint swap: Moving a sink, appliance, or wall adds rough-in work, while replacing cabinets in the same spot keeps the project moving quickly.
- Your contractor’s supplier relationships: Todd Thomas Home’s in-house cabinetry division, formerly CWW Kitchens, and its partnership with CounterKraft help reduce material delays and scheduling gaps.
Working with a contractor who already has this coordination in place can help keep your project on track. If you want to compare options before deciding, this guide to kitchen cabinet materials breaks down the pros and cons of popular choices.
How Homeowners Can Help Keep Kitchen Cabinet Installation on Schedule
A little preparation goes a long way toward minimizing the time required to install your kitchen cabinets. Emptying existing cabinets and creating a clear path for installers a day before the job begins can prevent delays once the crew arrives.
The cabinet ordering process runs smoothly when finishes and hardware are finalized early, helping prevent costly production changes. Staying in close contact with your contractor also helps, since prompt decisions on unexpected issues keep the crew working rather than waiting for direction.
The Todd Thomas Home Difference
Hands-on installation takes only a handful of days, but a smooth, stress-free result depends on careful prep, skilled installation, and trades that communicate well to maximize kitchen remodel value. Our 12-year Angi Super Service Award record reflects transparent communication and our commitment to each project until you’re completely satisfied. We also support Central Florida causes like the Children’s Hunger Project and Helping Seniors of Brevard.
If you’re still weighing your options, our post on choosing the right kitchen cabinets can help you narrow them down before work begins.
Ready to transform your kitchen with accurate timelines and next-level workmanship? Call Todd Thomas Home at (321) 336-8092 to request a prompt, detailed proposal and an expert consultation for your Melbourne-area kitchen today.
