How Long Does IKEA Kitchen Installation Take? Timeline Guide

The Short Answer

For a straightforward IKEA kitchen installation, meaning cabinets, doors, drawers, hinges, and hardware, most kitchens take between 1 and 5 days of on-site work. But the complete process from planning to finished kitchen typically spans 4 to 8 weeks when you factor in design, ordering, delivery, and coordinating countertops and tradespeople.

Here is the detailed breakdown so you can plan with confidence.

Timeline by Kitchen Size

Small Kitchen (Up to 10 Linear Feet)

Cabinet installation: 1 to 2 days

Think galley kitchens, single-wall layouts, or compact L-shapes typically found in apartments and condos. These kitchens usually have 10 to 15 cabinet boxes.

• Day 1: Remove old cabinets if applicable, prepare walls, install rail system, hang wall cabinets, install base cabinets
• Day 2: Install doors, drawer fronts, hardware, interior organizers, and make final adjustments

Medium Kitchen (10 to 20 Linear Feet)

Cabinet installation: 2 to 3 days

The most common size we install. Standard L-shape or U-shape layouts with 15 to 25 cabinet boxes, often including a pantry or tall cabinet section.

• Day 1: Demo old kitchen if applicable, repair walls as needed, establish level reference lines, begin wall cabinet installation
• Day 2: Complete wall cabinets, install all base cabinets, handle corner cabinet solutions, install filler pieces and cover panels
• Day 3: Install all doors, drawer fronts, handles, interior organizers, toe kicks, and make final adjustments

Large Kitchen (20+ Linear Feet)

Cabinet installation: 3 to 5 days

Large kitchens with islands, extensive pantry walls, or complex configurations with 25 to 40 or more cabinet boxes.

• Day 1: Demo and wall preparation, establish layout lines
• Day 2: Wall cabinet installation across all runs
• Day 3: Base cabinet installation, island construction
• Day 4: Cover panels, filler pieces, end panels, specialty installations such as corner lazy susans, pull-out recycling, and similar
• Day 5: All doors, drawer fronts, hardware, toe kicks, final adjustments and quality check

The Full Project Timeline

Cabinet installation is only one piece of the puzzle. Here is what the complete kitchen renovation timeline looks like from start to finish:

Weeks 1 to 2: Design and Planning

• Measure your kitchen space thoroughly, or schedule our free measurement visit
• Finalize your IKEA kitchen design using the IKEA Kitchen Planner or work with an IKEA kitchen planning specialist
• Review the design with your installer. This step is critical and can prevent costly mistakes
• Order your IKEA kitchen and all components

Weeks 2 to 4: Waiting for Delivery

• IKEA delivery typically takes 1 to 2 weeks from order, though timing varies by season and stock availability
• Use this time to schedule your plumber, electrician, and countertop fabricator
• If you are in a condo, submit your renovation plans to building management for approval

Weeks 4 to 5: Pre-Installation Work

• Demolition of old kitchen takes 1 day for most kitchens
• Plumbing rough-in if relocating sink, dishwasher, or gas lines takes 1 to 2 days
• Electrical rough-in if adding outlets, under-cabinet lighting, or upgrading circuits takes 1 day
• Wall repair and painting takes 1 to 2 days including drying time
• Floor repair or installation if needed takes 1 to 3 days depending on material

Weeks 5 to 6: Cabinet Installation

• This is when our team arrives for the main installation, taking 1 to 5 days as outlined above

Weeks 6 to 7: Countertop Templating and Fabrication

• After cabinets are installed, the countertop fabricator templates your kitchen in a single visit of about 1 to 2 hours
• Fabrication typically takes 5 to 10 business days for stone countertops
• Laminate countertops from IKEA can be cut and installed the same week

Weeks 7 to 8: Final Completion

• Countertop installation takes half a day to a full day
• Plumbing connections for sink, faucet, dishwasher, and garbage disposal take half a day
• Electrical connections for cooktop, range hood, and under-cabinet lights take half a day
• Backsplash installation if applicable takes 1 to 2 days
• Final adjustments including door alignment, drawer tuning, and hardware tightening

Factors That Affect Your Timeline

Old Kitchen Removal

If you are replacing an existing kitchen, demolition adds half a day to a full day. Older kitchens with dated materials like soffit bulkheads above the cabinets may require additional time if you want those removed. Bulkhead removal to achieve a ceiling-height cabinet look can add 1 to 2 days of carpentry and drywall work.

Soffit and Bulkhead Work

Many older homes in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware have soffits or bulkheads above the upper cabinets. Removing these to install taller IKEA wall cabinets in the 80-inch or 40-inch tall sizes creates a dramatic transformation but requires:

• Carpentry to remove the bulkhead structure
• Drywall patching and finishing
• Painting
• This adds 2 to 3 days to the overall timeline

Countertop Material

• IKEA laminate countertops: Can be templated and installed within the same week as cabinets. This is the fastest option.
• Butcher block: Can be cut and installed by our team during cabinet installation. Adds minimal time.
• Quartz or granite: Requires a separate templating visit after cabinets are installed, then 5 to 10 business days for fabrication. This is the biggest timeline addition.

Plumbing and Electrical Changes

• No changes, same layout: Reconnection takes a few hours
• Minor relocation such as moving a sink a few feet: Adds 1 to 2 days for plumbing rough-in
• Major reconfiguration such as moving plumbing to a new wall or adding an island sink: Adds 2 to 4 days and may require permits

Floor Condition

If the existing flooring is in good shape and extends under where the new cabinets will sit, no extra time is needed. If the floor needs repair or replacement, add 1 to 3 days depending on the material.

Pre-Installation Preparation Checklist

Getting prepared before installation day will help keep your project on schedule:

• All IKEA items delivered and inventory-checked. Open every box and verify nothing is missing or damaged. Do this at least 3 days before installation so there is time to get replacements.
• All appliances purchased and on-site. Your installer needs the actual appliances, or at minimum the spec sheets, to ensure proper fit.
• Plumbing and electrical rough-in completed if any changes are needed.
• Walls patched, primed, and painted. It is much easier to paint before cabinets go up.
• Flooring completed if you are doing new floors. Cabinets sit on top of finished flooring in most cases.
• Old kitchen demolished and debris removed.
• Clear workspace. Remove everything from the kitchen area and adjacent rooms if needed for staging.

Tips to Speed Up the Process

1. Inventory your IKEA order immediately upon delivery. Missing parts are the number one cause of installation delays. IKEA can ship replacement parts quickly, but you need to catch shortages early.

1. Do not skip the installer review. Having a professional review your IKEA kitchen plan before ordering can catch design errors that would otherwise cause delays during installation.

1. Choose IKEA laminate or butcher block countertops if speed is your priority. Stone countertops add 2 or more weeks to the overall timeline.

1. Schedule trades in advance. Book your plumber, electrician, and countertop fabricator early. In our service area across Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and DC, good tradespeople often book out 2 to 4 weeks.

1. Bundle your project. Having one team coordinate the entire installation, from cabinets to countertops to trade scheduling, eliminates gaps between phases. That is exactly what Kitchen Fitters offers with our full-service installation packages.

Ready to Get Started?

The best way to get an accurate timeline for your specific kitchen project is to schedule a free in-home consultation. We will assess your space, review your IKEA plan, and give you a detailed project timeline and quote. Contact Kitchen Fitters today.