Where does kitchen remodels fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Kitchen Remodels
Scoped room by room, with the rest of the home kept usable during the work.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For condo owners: Kitchen Remodels
Planned around the building rules, the board approval and the access schedule.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial spaces: Kitchen Remodels
Scheduled around the business, with the trades working in order and the site kept safe.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For rental properties: Kitchen Remodels
Planned for durability and a fast turnaround between tenants.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For custom homes: Kitchen Remodels
Built into the full new-build plan, with one lead from the first drawing to handover.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
The Plug · Renovate
Kitchen Remodels
Layout, permits and timelines for kitchens across Toronto and the GTA, explained before you commit.
0 or 1 ticked: you are in the refresh range, 4 to 8 weeks. 2 or 3 ticked: plan for a full kitchen project with design and permit steps, 14 to 20 weeks end to end. 4 or more ticked: treat it as a structural and mechanical renovation, and get the layout and permit path mapped first.
What a kitchen project goes through, and how long each stage takes
| Stage | What happens | Typical time | What moves it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measure and layout | Field measurements, work triangle, storage plan, appliance sizes | 1 to 2 weeks | How many decision rounds you need |
| Design and drawings | Cabinet drawings, lighting plan, electrical and plumbing layout | 2 to 4 weeks | Custom work, moved services |
| Permits (only where needed) | Electrical, plumbing or structural permits, where the work requires them | 2 to 8 weeks | Wall changes, new circuits, gas work |
| Ordering | Cabinets, countertops, appliances, hood, plumbing fixtures, lighting | 2 to 12 weeks | Custom cabinets and specialty appliances |
| Demolition and rough-in | Remove old kitchen, rough plumbing, electrical and ventilation, inspections | 1 to 3 weeks | What is hidden in walls and floors |
| Install and finish | Cabinets, counters, backsplash, appliances, paint, lighting | 2 to 4 weeks | Templating and counter fabrication lead time |
| Final inspection and handover | Inspections, final adjustments, clean-up and walkthrough | 3 to 7 days | Inspection scheduling |
What decides the layout before anything is built
A kitchen is a set of working distances. The layout has to make the sink, fridge and range work together, and it has to give you enough counter space on each side of them. Most of the frustration people feel in a kitchen comes from getting these distances wrong on paper, and changing them later costs the most time.
The layout rules that matter
The work triangle
The sink, fridge and range should form a triangle with short, clear walking distances between them. Long distances, or a path that crosses a traffic route, make the room tiring to use every day.
Walkway clearances
A common planning guideline is about 1.0 to 1.2 metres of clear floor between counters or an island and other cabinets or walls. Tight aisles are the most common regret after a kitchen is finished.
Counter depth and heights
Standard base cabinets are about 60 cm deep, and standard counter height is about 91 cm. Those numbers can change for accessibility, or for a specific user in the house.
Storage that gets used
Map what you store and where you use it. Pull-out pantries, deep drawers for pots, and a landing space beside the fridge do more daily work than extra wall cabinets.
Lighting in layers
Plan task light over counters, ambient light across the room, and accent light for display. Lighting placement is a wiring decision, so it belongs in the design stage, not after drywall.
Ventilation, electrical and plumbing: the parts that cost time
These are the trades that people do not see until something is wrong, and they are where most kitchen schedules slip. The range hood needs a proper exhaust path to the outside, sized to the cooking appliance. Kitchens with heavy use typically need dedicated circuits for the range, the dishwasher and the fridge, plus enough outlets at the counter. A sink move means new drain and supply lines, and in older houses the existing lines are often the first surprise.
How we run a kitchen project, the Real Method way
Questions homeowners ask before a kitchen project
Do I need a permit to replace my kitchen?
Not always. A cosmetic refresh with no changes to plumbing, gas, electrical or structure often needs no building permit. Moving a sink, adding circuits, changing gas lines or removing a wall usually does, and those permits add weeks to the start.
Can I keep my kitchen while it is being done?
Sometimes, for a refresh. A full kitchen usually means a temporary kitchen set up in another room for several weeks, with a plan for water and cooking.
Why do cabinets take so long?
Semi-custom and custom cabinets are built to order, and the build slot is the constraint. Stock cabinets arrive faster but limit layout choices. Choose the cabinet type during design, not during installation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a kitchen renovation take in the GTA?
A refresh with the same layout usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. A full kitchen with moved plumbing, new electrical or a wall change usually takes 14 to 20 weeks from first design meeting to handover, including design, permits and ordering. Older houses and custom cabinetry can push that longer.
Do I need a permit for a kitchen renovation?
It depends on the work. Cosmetic changes often need none. Plumbing, electrical, gas and structural work usually needs a permit from your municipality. A design check tells you which applies to your plan.
What is the most common kitchen mistake?
Choosing finishes before the layout is final, and leaving too little clearance between counters and islands. Both are fixed on paper in the design stage.
Should I change the layout or keep the same one?
If the layout is working, a refresh is faster and simpler. If the room has poor flow, bad storage or a sink in the wrong place, a layout change is usually worth the extra weeks. We can show you the trade-off.
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See how this fits with our renovation work, and start with a home additions and extensions check if the kitchen is part of a bigger layout change.
Keep plugging in: what to read next
Quick answer
What does this mean for your house?
Tell us your city and what you need to know. We reply with what applies to your situation, not a generic answer.
Ready to get plugged in?
Pick the way that suits you. We take it from there, and you stay in control.
Let’s Talk!
Let’s Build Something Solid Together
Want a free consult? Tell us if you are renovating, building, adding on or restoring. We will tell you what to do next. Call, email, or book a time online.
How this works, decision by decision
Decision 1: Where kitchen remodels are used
A kitchen remodel changes the layout, the cabinets, the counters and the services. The existing layout decides how much of the room moves.
| Layout | Typical scope | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Galley | Re-plan the run, lighting, storage | Working width |
| L-shape | Corner storage and counter run | Corner access |
| U-shape | Full rebuild of three walls | Clearances and ventilation |
| Open concept | Island, finishes, flooring | Services and sightlines |
Our pick: Start with the layout. Cabinets and finishes follow the way the kitchen works.
Decision 2: The work triangle and clearances
The sink, the fridge and the cooktop form the work triangle. Clear walkways and counter space make the kitchen usable for more than one person.
| Element | Check |
|---|---|
| Sink to cooktop to fridge | Short, unobstructed path |
| Walkway width | Enough for two people to pass |
| Counter space beside appliances | Landing space on both sides |
Our pick: Plan the triangle before the cabinets. Moving a sink later is expensive.
Decision 3: Cabinet construction and finish
Cabinets differ in box construction, door style and finish. The choice affects the look, the strength and the price.
| Option | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Framed | Traditional look, strong face frame | Smaller openings |
| Frameless | Modern look, more storage | Needs accurate install |
| Painted or veneer finish | Colour and wood look | Durability depends on finish |
Our pick: Frameless for modern kitchens, framed for traditional. Choose the finish for the wear the kitchen gets.
Decision 4: Countertops and backsplash
Countertops set the look and the wear. Backsplash protects the wall and ties the room together.
| Material | Strength | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz | High, low porosity | Low |
| Granite or natural stone | High, needs sealing | Medium |
| Laminate | Lower, budget-friendly | Low, can chip |
Our pick: Quartz for most kitchens. Template the counter after the cabinets are level.
Decision 5: Plumbing, electrical and ventilation
The kitchen needs dedicated circuits, the right supply and drain for the sink and dishwasher, and a range hood vented outside.
| Service | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Small appliance circuits | Two or more, separate from the rest |
| Sink and dishwasher | Supply, drain and venting planned |
| Range hood | Vented to the outside |
Our pick: Plan the services while the walls are open. Vent the hood to the outside, not into the attic.
Decision 6: Lighting and layers
Kitchen lighting works in layers: general, task and accent. The layers are planned with the cabinets and the switches.
| Layer | Use |
|---|---|
| General | Overall light for the room |
| Task | Under-cabinet light over the counter |
| Accent | Pendants or toe-kick light |
Our pick: Plan the lighting with the cabinets. Under-cabinet light is the most used layer.
Decision 7: Flooring and subfloor
The floor is levelled and checked before the cabinets go in. The subfloor decides whether the cabinets stay level for years.
| Item | Check |
|---|---|
| Subfloor | Flat, sound, fastened |
| Floor finish | Durable and water-resistant |
| Transitions | Set at the room edges |
Our pick: Level the subfloor before the cabinets. A dip in the floor shows in every door.
Decision 8: Permits and inspection
A kitchen remodel is permitted when it moves plumbing, electrical or walls. Replacing cabinets in place usually needs no permit.
| Scope | Check |
|---|---|
| Cabinets and counters only | Usually no permit |
| Moved sink or appliances | Permit and inspection |
| Wall removed | Engineering and permit |
Our pick: Confirm the permit before the walls open. Moving services is inspected before it is covered.
Decision 9: Warranty and maintenance
Cabinets, counters and appliances carry warranties. Simple care keeps them working and protects the warranty.
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Cabinet hinges and drawers | Adjusted when they move |
| Counters | Cleaned and sealed where needed |
| Appliances | Serviced on the manufacturer schedule |
Our pick: Keep the install and product records. They are needed for the warranty.