Phase-by-phase kitchen timeline
A typical London kitchen renovation follows seven phases. Phase 1 (1-3 days): strip-out and disposal of existing cabinets, appliances, flooring and finishes. Phase 2 (2-5 days, only if changing layout): wall removal under steel, structural works, party wall notices if affecting shared wall. Phase 3 (3-6 days): first fix services — electrical cabling for ring main, oven, hob, lighting; plumbing relocation for sink, dishwasher and washing machine; gas relocation if changing hob position; heating extension or removal. Phase 4 (3-5 days): plasterwork, flooring preparation, decoration prep. Phase 5 (2-3 days): cabinet installation. Phase 6 (1-2 days): worktop template (after cabinet install) plus 5-10 days fabrication and install. Phase 7 (5-10 days): appliance install, second fix electrics and plumbing, tiling, decoration, snagging, final clean. Total on-site duration 3-8 weeks depending on scope; the worktop fabrication week is the only unavoidable pause where the kitchen must sit incomplete.
Lead times that dominate the total programme
On-site work is often less than half the total project duration. Cabinet lead times: Howdens and Wren 2-4 weeks from order; mid-market (Naked Doors, Sigma 3) 6-10 weeks; bespoke joinery (deVOL, Plain English, Roundhouse) 10-20 weeks. Appliance lead times: in-stock Bosch and Neff 1-2 weeks; Miele and Siemens premium 4-8 weeks; Sub-Zero, Wolf and Gaggenau 8-14 weeks. Worktop lead times: quartz and engineered stone 5-10 working days from template; natural stone 2-4 weeks; sintered stone (Dekton, Neolithic) 2-3 weeks. Tile lead times: stock porcelain 1-2 weeks; imported Italian and Spanish porcelain 4-8 weeks. Always sequence the project so site works begin only after all long-lead items are confirmed in stock or at the supplier; starting site work hoping the cabinets will arrive in time is the single biggest cause of London kitchen project delays.
How to compress the timeline
Three strategies compress a London kitchen timeline by 2-5 weeks. First, stick to like-for-like layout: same sink position, same hob position, same washing machine position eliminates phase 3 services work and reduces total programme by 1-2 weeks. Second, order all cabinets, appliances and worktop templates before site start — never order during the project, which routinely adds 2-4 weeks waiting at phase 5. Third, choose stocked finishes throughout: stocked Howdens, Wren or Naked Doors cabinets; in-stock Bosch appliances; quartz worktops in standard colours (Caesarstone Snow, Silestone Lyra). A fully stocked kitchen specification reduces total programme from 18-22 weeks to 8-10 weeks.
