Inside a Kitchen Remodel: From Demo to Reveal
Walk through a real Metro Atlanta kitchen remodel — timeline, decisions, and what surprises homeowners.
Full Transcript
A full kitchen remodel moves through seven phases in order: demo, rough plumbing/electrical/framing, drywall and paint, cabinets, countertop template and install, tile and finishes, and appliances and punch list. Timelines depend on scope; you'll get a written schedule with your estimate.
Phase by Phase
The transcript above lists the phases. Here is what happens in each one, in order. A full remodel like this one includes rough plumbing, electrical, and framing work. Timelines depend on scope; you'll get a written schedule with your estimate. Custom-order cabinets can add time to any schedule.
- Demolition. Old cabinets, countertops, and flooring are removed down to the structure. Any subfloor problems found at this stage are fixed before finish materials go down, never covered over.
- Rough plumbing, electrical, and framing. Supply and drain lines, circuits, outlets, and lighting are roughed in, and any framing changes for the new layout are made. Work that needs a permit is inspected before the walls are closed.
- Drywall and paint. With the rough-in inspected, the walls and ceiling are closed, finished, and painted before the cabinets go in.
- Cabinets. Cabinets are installed level and plumb, whether stock, semi-custom, or fully custom. The countertops are templated from the installed cabinets, so this step sets up the next one.
- Countertop template and install. Once the cabinets are set, the countertops are templated, fabricated, and installed, including undermount sink cutouts. Common materials include quartz, granite, quartzite, and porcelain, with laminate and butcher block for budget projects.
- Tile and finishes. The backsplash, flooring, lighting, and fixtures go in, in that order. Flooring options include luxury vinyl plank, porcelain and ceramic tile, and hardwood.
- Appliances and punch list. Appliances are installed and connected, permitted work gets its final inspection, and every item on the punch list is walked through with the homeowner before final payment.
Your schedule
Timelines depend on scope; you'll get a written schedule with your estimate. The schedule is provided before work begins, so you know the order of the phases above before demolition starts.
What a kitchen remodel can include
Estate Solutions kitchen work includes full gut remodels, cabinet installation and replacement, countertop installation, flooring (tile, hardwood, and luxury vinyl plank), plumbing relocation, lighting and electrical upgrades, island additions, backsplash installation, and appliance installation across Metro Atlanta.
Countertop materials
We install granite, quartz, marble, quartzite, butcher block, and solid surface countertops, and we work with local fabricators for precise templating. That templating happens after the cabinets are installed, which is why countertops follow cabinets in the phase list.
Permits and inspections
A kitchen remodel that involves structural changes, plumbing relocation, or electrical panel work typically needs a permit in the counties we serve. As a licensed Georgia contractor (#RBQA006428), Estate Solutions pulls the required permits and schedules the inspections as part of the job. That is why the rough-in is inspected before the walls are closed.
Plumbing and electrical
Estate Solutions coordinates licensed plumbers and electricians as part of the remodel. That covers sink relocations, dishwasher hookups, garbage disposals, under-cabinet lighting, new circuits for appliances, and panel upgrades when needed.
Living at home during the remodel
Most clients stay home during a kitchen remodel. A temporary kitchen space can be set up if needed, dust barriers go up, and work areas are kept clean. A full gut renovation with a longer timeline may need some adjustments, which are discussed during planning.
Cabinet choices
Cabinets can be stock, semi-custom, or fully custom. All three are installed the same way in the cabinet phase, level and plumb, and custom-order cabinets can add time to the schedule.
Getting started
Call (404) 913-3030 for a free in-home consultation. The Kitchen Remodeling page covers price ranges for a cosmetic refresh, a mid-range remodel, and a full gut remodel, and answers the permit, plumbing, and electrical questions above in more detail.
Remodeling after water damage
When a kitchen is being rebuilt after water damage, the water damage is taken care of first and the kitchen is then rebuilt to your specifications. Restoration and remodeling are both handled in-house, so one contractor is accountable for the whole project.
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