Thinking about upgrading your kitchen but not sure how long it will take? If you’re planning a full renovation or even just replacing your existing kitchen setup, understanding the fitted kitchen installation timeline is one of the most important steps in planning your project.
At Fully Fitted Kitchens, we’ve designed and installed hundreds of kitchens across Glasgow and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re in a city flat or a family home in the suburbs, we’ve seen just about every layout and situation. Although no two kitchens are exactly the same, there are some common timelines you can expect — and knowing these can help you avoid surprises, manage your schedule, and get your home back to normal as quickly as possible.
Planning Stage: 1–2 Weeks
Everything starts with a conversation. After you get in touch, we’ll arrange a free design consultation to assess your space. We’ll take accurate measurements, listen to your ideas, and show you material options, styles, layouts, and practical upgrades to improve storage and workflow.
Within a few days, we’ll come back to you with a detailed design proposal and itemised quote. At this point, you can request changes, finalise your choices, and once everything is approved, we move forward with ordering materials.
Depending on supplier lead times and your material selections, we usually allow 2–3 weeks for materials to arrive. High-demand items or bespoke features like quartz worktops, integrated lighting or custom cabinetry may take longer.
So in total, the planning and ordering phase typically takes around two weeks, though this may stretch slightly during busy periods or if you’re opting for premium, made-to-order elements.
Kitchen Removal & Prep Work: 1–3 Days
Once materials are confirmed and delivery is scheduled, we’ll set a firm installation start date. The first job is removing your existing kitchen. This includes disconnecting and capping off plumbing and electrics, stripping out old units and worktops, and clearing the area for the new fit-out.
In most homes, kitchen removal takes one day. If structural changes are required — such as removing walls or shifting pipework — this can extend to 2–3 days.
We’ll also complete any required prep work at this stage. This could include adjusting floor levels, moving sockets or pipework, and preparing walls for tiling or splashbacks.
Kitchen Installation: 4–7 Days
This is the core of the fitted kitchen installation timeline. It’s where everything comes together — units, worktops, appliances, lighting, and finishes.
Days 1–2: We begin by marking out the layout, setting base levels, and fitting base and wall units. Our team uses laser levelling tools to ensure precision. Cabinetry is carefully fixed in place, allowing for ventilation and appliance spacing.
Day 3–4: Appliance housings, end panels, and custom fillers are installed. Doors and drawers are adjusted, soft-close hinges are aligned, and carcasses are cleaned and sealed.
Day 5–6: Worktops are fitted — unless you’re going for granite, quartz or Corian, which requires templating first (more on that below). Sinks and taps are cut in, plumbed and tested. Hob and oven units are installed, and electrical connections are made to spec.
Day 7: Final checks are made, kickboards and finishing trim are added, and a full handover is carried out.
If your design includes real stone worktops or other specialist features, that can add 5–7 days for templating and separate fitting, since these are made-to-measure only after units are in place.
Additional Works: 2–4 Days
Many kitchen installations also include finishing tasks such as tiling, flooring or decorating. Depending on what you’ve chosen, these may be done by our team or scheduled separately.
Tiling splashbacks or walls usually adds 1–2 days. If you’re installing new vinyl, laminate or tiled flooring, allow another 1–2 days. Decorating, including painting or new lighting, can vary depending on the scope of work.
Some clients prefer to have these finishing touches done after the kitchen fit is complete. We’re flexible — it’s all part of making the installation work around your timeline.
Kitchen Refurbishment: A Faster Option
Not all projects require a full installation. Our kitchen refurbishment service is perfect for homeowners who want a new look without a full rip-out.
In these cases, we retain your existing cabinets and layout but replace the visible elements — doors, drawer fronts, handles, worktops, taps and sometimes appliances.
A typical refurbishment can be completed in 2–4 days, depending on how many components are being upgraded. It’s a faster, more affordable option and still delivers dramatic results with far less disruption.
Key Factors That Affect the Timeline
Several variables can impact how long your kitchen installation will take. These include:
Size of the kitchen: Larger spaces naturally take longer
Design complexity: Open-plan layouts or islands often require more planning
Structural or layout changes: Moving plumbing, electrics or walls adds time
Custom features: Bespoke storage, lighting or stone worktops often extend timelines
Trades availability: We manage all trades in-house to avoid delays between stages
We always provide a realistic schedule before we begin, so you’ll know exactly what to expect at each step.
Trusted Resources to Help You Plan
If you want to read more about what’s involved in planning and fitting a kitchen, Which? has a useful breakdown of the full process — including timelines, budgeting and choosing a reliable supplier. It’s an excellent place to start if you’re still comparing options.
What About Delivery Delays?
We work closely with trusted UK manufacturers to keep lead times consistent, but from time to time, delivery delays can happen — especially for custom or high-end finishes. We build buffers into your project plan to account for this and will always keep you informed so there are no surprises.
How Can You Speed Things Up?
To streamline your own fitted kitchen installation timeline, we recommend making design decisions early and sticking with final choices once your order is placed. Changes after manufacturing has started can cause delays and additional cost.
Also, clear access to your kitchen area (removing furniture or clearing paths) helps our installers move faster and safer. If you’re replacing flooring or tiling, make sure materials are on-site before fitting begins.
Final Thoughts
Most full kitchen installations take between 7 and 14 working days from start to finish. Including planning, design and ordering, the overall process usually spans 4 to 6 weeks. Refurbishments, on the other hand, can be completed in just a few days.
If you’re unsure where to start or want a more specific estimate based on your kitchen’s size and layout, we’d be happy to help. Get in touch with the team at Fully Fitted Kitchens to arrange a free consultation and receive a clear timeline based on your space, goals and budget.
We’re here to make the process as simple, honest and efficient as possible — with no pressure and no unexpected delays. When you work with a local, fully managed team like ours, you’re getting reliable communication, high-quality materials and craftsmanship you can trust from start to finish.