How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take in Melbourne?
The honest answer is: it depends on scope, but most homeowners want a number before they commit — so here's a realistic week-by-week breakdown based on projects we've actually delivered across Melbourne, from Malvern to Bundoora.
The three-phase reality most quotes skip
Every renovation has three phases, and the "on-site" number builders quote you is usually only the middle one:
- Design and selections: 6–10 weeks. Measure, design, choose cabinetry, stone, tapware and appliances, finalise drawings. Longer if you're still deciding between finishes; shorter if you come in with a clear brief.
- Permits and lead time: 2–6 weeks (can run in parallel with design). Custom joinery and stone benchtops are typically made to order as part of this window. Heritage-overlay suburbs (Hawthorn, Kew, Camberwell) may need a planning permit on top of a building permit, which adds time.
- On-site build: 5–12 weeks, depending on scope — a typical Tetris Homes kitchen runs 5–8 weeks from demolition to handover, with premium and structural projects running longer.
On-site timelines by project type
| Scope | On-site time | What's happening |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (new doors, benchtop, same layout) | 3–5 weeks | Demo, minor electrical/plumbing, install cabinetry fronts and benchtop, splashback, finishing |
| Full renovation, same footprint | 5–8 weeks | Full strip-out, new cabinetry, stone, appliances, splashback, minor service relocations |
| Full renovation with layout change | 8–12 weeks | Wall removal or structural work, plumbing/electrical relocation, custom joinery, extended finishing |
A recent Malvern project — a premium full renovation with custom joinery — ran 12 weeks on-site, at the top end of that range because of the level of bespoke detail involved. A Brighton kitchen extension ran 11 weeks; a straightforward Carlton cabinetry-and-stone refresh took just 5 weeks — the range genuinely depends on scope.
What actually causes delays
- Mid-project changes. Changing a selection after cabinetry is ordered is the single biggest timeline killer — it can add 3–5 weeks waiting on a remake.
- Undiscovered issues. Old wiring, plumbing or structural surprises in pre-1990s homes (common in Hawthorn, Bundoora, Eltham) can pause work while it's assessed and quoted.
- Trade sequencing. Kitchens involve electricians, plumbers, cabinetmakers and tilers in a specific order — a delay in one trade pushes everything behind it.
- Custom joinery lead times. Bespoke cabinetry and natural stone take longer to fabricate than stock options — factor this in if your timeline is tight.
How to keep your project on schedule
- Finalise every selection — cabinetry, stone, tapware, appliances — before ordering starts, not during the build.
- Get a fixed-price contract with a stated timeline, not just a start date.
- Ask your builder how they sequence trades and what happens if one runs late.
- Build in a 1–2 week buffer for older homes where services haven't been touched in decades.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a full kitchen renovation take in Melbourne?
A typical Tetris Homes kitchen takes 5–8 weeks on-site from demolition to handover, plus around 6–10 weeks beforehand for design, selections, joinery manufacture and stone templating. Premium projects with custom joinery or structural change can run 10–12+ weeks on-site.
Can I speed up my kitchen renovation timeline?
Finalising your design and every selection before demolition starts is the single biggest lever — mid-project changes are the most common cause of delay.
Does a heritage overlay affect my renovation timeline in Melbourne?
Yes — properties in heritage overlays (common in Hawthorn, Kew and Camberwell) may need a planning permit in addition to a building permit, which typically adds several weeks before work can start.
How long does a kitchen renovation take from first consult to finished project?
Allow 3–5 months total for a full kitchen renovation once you include design, selections, lead time and the on-site build.
Plan your kitchen with a fixed timeline
Book a free 30-minute planning consult — we'll walk through your scope, selections and a realistic Melbourne timeline.
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