A kitchen remodel can completely transform your home, but it’s also one of the most disruptive projects for families. From living without a fully functional kitchen to dealing with constant noise, dust, and unexpected challenges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before the first cabinet is removed.
At Custom Built, we’ve guided many homeowners through every stage of a kitchen renovation. We understand the stress of temporary cooking setups, relocated appliances, and material delays, and we know how to help you navigate these challenges smoothly.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect during a kitchen renovation, including common surprises, practical tips for living through the process, and strategies to minimize disruption:
- Living Without a Fully Functional Kitchen
- Noise and Disruption Are Part of the Process
- Dust and Mess (Even with Protection in Place)
- Expect Delays and Understand Why They Happen
- Your Living Space Will Feel Out of Sync
- The Unpredictability of What’s Behind the Walls
- Final Cleanup and Restoring Normalcy
1. Living Without a Fully Functional Kitchen
At some point during the renovation, expect your kitchen to be completely unusable.
That means no sink, no stove, no countertops, and often no refrigerator in its usual place. Planning ahead makes a big difference.
Many homeowners set up a temporary prep area in a basement, living room, or spare room. Think simple, plug-in appliances like:
- Microwave
- Air fryer
- Toaster oven
Paper plates and disposable utensils can help reduce the number of dishes. Additionally, refrigerators are often relocated to a garage (during warmer months), basement, or nearby living space. It’s not glamorous, but it’s temporary.
More Ways to Prepare for Life Without a Fully Functional Kitchen
- Use a slow cooker or Instant Pot: These can be lifesavers for hands-off cooking.
- Batch prep ahead of time: If you have room, prepare some meals in advance and freeze them to avoid the need to cook daily.
- Keep a cleaning station: Since washing dishes in your main bathroom is likely, keep a designated area for drying dishes.
- Plan a vacation: Whether it’s Chicago or New York, this is a fantastic opportunity to get away from your home while it’s being updated.
2. Noise and Disruption Are Part of the Process
A kitchen renovation is loud, especially because it’s usually in a central part of the home.
If you work from home, this matters. Some days will be louder than others:
- Demo day is typically the noisiest
- Cabinet installation and finish work are quieter but still active
Before demolition begins, cabinets must be completely cleared out, and photos or décor on nearby walls should be removed. Demo day is one of the loudest and most disruptive phases of a kitchen renovation, and that’s intentional.
During demolition, the team removes existing cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances, and sometimes drywall or soffits, depending on the scope of the project.
Cabinets are pried out, countertops are cut and lifted, and materials are broken down for removal as efficiently and safely as possible. This work involves heavy tools, constant movement, and repeated impact, which creates a lot of noise in a short amount of time.
The goal of demo day isn’t to be gentle; it’s to clear the space quickly so rebuilding can begin without delays. Once demolition starts, the kitchen is no longer usable until the project is well underway and new systems are installed.
More Ways to Prepare for the Noise and Disruption
- Move out of the area: If possible, relocate to a quieter room or area in your home during peak noise times.
- Set work-from-home boundaries: If you need to work, let the contractors know when you’ll need the space to be quieter or schedule work around your time.
- Prepare for demo day: Expect heavy noise. Be ready for the day when cabinets, counters, and drywall are torn out.
- Use noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs: These will help minimize the disruption, especially if you need to stay in the home.
3. Dust and Mess (Even with Protection in Place)
PC: ZipWall
No renovation is dust-free, but the right systems help contain it.
At Custom Built, we use a Clean Remodeling System (CRS) that includes:
- Zip walls to isolate work areas
- Carpet shield and Ram Board to protect floors
- Filter fans and HEPA vacuums to manage dust
Even with these measures, some dust can still travel. That’s why we recommend storing knick-knacks, décor, and personal items in nearby spaces. The more you store upfront, the better.
More Ways to Prepare for the Dust and Mess
- Routine wipe-downs: Expect fine dust to travel and plan light wipe-downs of surfaces in nearby rooms, even with protection in place.
- Storing soft furnishings: Remove soft furnishings nearby, such as rugs, throw pillows, or curtains, which tend to trap dust more easily than hard surfaces.
- Use existing barriers: Keep doors closed whenever possible to reduce dust migration throughout the home.
- Incorporate a “clean zone”: Designate a “clean zone” where tools, shoes, and construction materials aren’t allowed, helping contain the mess.
4. Expect Delays and Understand Why They Happen
Even well-planned projects can hit delays. Common causes include:
- Cabinet lead times, which often run 6-8 weeks
- Materials arriving damaged and needing replacement
- Inspection scheduling
- Drywall or paint needing more time to cure
- Unexpected conditions discovered behind walls
These aren’t shortcuts or mistakes; they’re realities of remodeling older homes. Clear communication helps keep expectations aligned when adjustments are needed.
More Ways to Prepare for Potential Delays
- Stay flexible with timing: Be prepared for unexpected changes, such as delays in shipments or contractor schedules.
- Plan for inspections: Be ready for occasional delays due to inspection schedules and their necessary approval timelines.
- Communicate regularly: Stay in touch with your contractor or project manager to get updates on the timeline and any potential changes.
5. Your Living Space Will Feel Out of Sync
During construction, storage and lighting can be limited.
When old fixtures are removed before new ones are installed, the space can feel dark. Crews often bring in temporary lighting and extension cords to work safely.
Kitchen items will likely be stored elsewhere, such as spare bedrooms, dining rooms, or garages. Everything feels out of place for a while, and that’s normal.
We actively prepare homeowners for this phase, so it doesn’t come as a surprise.
More Ways to Prepare for an Out-of-Sync Living Space
- Be prepared for minimal storage: Organize your kitchen essentials in a small, temporary space to avoid chaos.
- Use mobile storage solutions: Consider using portable shelves or cabinets to hold things that would normally go into kitchen drawers and cabinets.
- Embrace minimalism: During renovation, you won’t have all your kitchen tools and appliances at your disposal, so focus on what you really need.
6. The Unpredictability of What’s Behind the Walls
No matter how much planning goes into a renovation, some issues can’t be anticipated until demolition begins.
Here are a few additional examples of what may be discovered:
- Hidden Plumbing Issues: Older homes may have outdated or corroded plumbing that requires replacement to secure proper water flow and avoid future leaks.
- Electrical Upgrades: Older wiring will most likely not meet current code standards, requiring updates or a full rewire for safety and functionality.
- Structural Problems: You may find sagging ceilings, uneven floors, or weak beams that need reinforcement to support new cabinetry or countertops.
- Mold or Water Damage: Areas behind cabinets or under flooring may contain moisture issues that need to be addressed before further work can continue.
- Asbestos or Lead Paint: Older homes may contain hazardous materials, such as asbestos insulation or lead-based paint, that must be safely removed by specialists before renovations can proceed.
- HVAC Ductwork Issues: Outdated or undersized ducts may need to be replaced or rerouted to improve air circulation and HVAC system efficiency.
- Rodent or Pest Damage: You may find signs of pests, such as chewed wiring or nests, hidden behind walls or under the floor, which can lead to unplanned pest control measures.
- Outdated Gas Lines: If your kitchen uses gas for cooking, it’s crucial to make sure that the gas lines are safe and up to code. In some cases, they may need to be replaced or rerouted.
These issues aren’t part of the original plan, but addressing them protects your investment, prevents larger problems, and ensures a safer, more functional kitchen for years to come.
More Ways to Prepare for Unexpected Issues
- Be prepared for surprises: Understand that your contractor might discover unexpected issues behind walls or under floors, such as water damage or outdated plumbing.
- Allow room for budget flexibility: Having a cushion in your budget for unforeseen problems will help ease the financial strain.
- Be patient: Some issues require time and additional work to resolve, so keep in mind that it could take longer to finish the job.
- Set realistic expectations: Understand that while every effort is made to stay on schedule, unpredictable issues may affect the timeline and cost.
7. Final Cleanup and Restoring Normalcy
As the project wraps up, the focus shifts to detail and cleanliness.
At the end of a kitchen renovation, you can expect:
- Cabinets and drawers vacuumed clean
- Cabinet fronts wiped down with microfiber cloths
- Floors and countertops cleaned
- A professional cleaning service brought in
If anything doesn’t feel right, please contact your Advisor. Photos or videos can be shared, and concerns are addressed with warranties and long-term performance in mind.
More Ways to Tackle the Post-Renovation Phase
- Check for damage: Inspect cabinets, countertops, and floors to ensure everything is in perfect condition.
- Unpack gradually: Only return items to the kitchen when it’s 100% ready. Start with the essentials, then add other items over time.
Next Steps to Renovating Your Kitchen
A kitchen renovation is a significant investment that entails noise, dust, and temporary disruptions.
By planning ahead, setting up temporary cooking spaces, and remaining flexible in the face of unforeseen issues, you can navigate the process smoothly and keep your home running.
Custom Built works closely with homeowners at every step, from demolition to final cleanup, to ensure your kitchen remodel is as stress-free as possible.
Prepare your space, communicate openly with your contractor, and enjoy the transformation once your new kitchen is complete.
Now that you know more about what to expect during a kitchen renovation, let’s explore how to improve your kitchen remodeling experience, how much your project will cost, and how long it’ll take to finish with Custom Built:
- 10 Ways to Improve Your Kitchen Remodeling Experience - Discover effective strategies to make your kitchen renovation a more satisfying journey.
- How Much Does a Luxury Kitchen Remodel Cost in Lansing, Michigan? - Explore cost estimates, a budget breakdown, and factors that affect the cost of your luxury kitchen remodel.
- How Long Does a Luxury Kitchen Remodel Take to Get Finished with Custom Built? - A high-level overview of how long your project will take to complete during Custom Built’s Proven Process.
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