A kitchen remodel involves more trades than almost any other room: demolition, plumbing, electrical, sometimes ventilation and walls, then drywall, cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring and appliances. The order in which they happen affects cost, quality and how long your kitchen is out of service. This guide lays out a typical sequence.
Key takeaways
- Decide the layout and order long-lead items before demolition.
- Hidden work comes before finishes: rough-in and inspection before walls close.
- Countertops are templated after cabinets are installed.
Why the order matters
Each trade depends on the one before it. Cabinets cannot be installed until walls are finished, countertops cannot be measured until cabinets are set, and walls cannot be closed until the rough plumbing and wiring have passed inspection. When the sequence breaks, work gets redone.
Step 1: plan and order
Finalize the layout, appliances, cabinets and fixtures before anything is torn out. Appliance dimensions and ventilation needs affect cabinet sizes and electrical work. Ask the contractor which items take longest to arrive and order them early. Record every choice in your How to Write a Scope of Work Before You Ask for Bids.
Step 2: permits
Replacing cabinets and countertops in place is generally exempt from a building permit in both the City of Las Vegas and Clark County. Moving a sink, adding circuits, changing a range hood that must vent, or removing a wall usually needs a permit. The City of Las Vegas guide lists kitchen range exhausts among the mechanical work that needs a permit. See When You Need a Building Permit in Las Vegas.
A typical sequence
| Stage | Main work | Before moving on |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Protection and demolition | Seal the area, remove old cabinets and finishes | Check for hidden damage |
| 2. Framing changes | New or moved walls, openings | Framing inspection if permitted |
| 3. Rough-in | Plumbing, electrical, ventilation ducts | Rough inspections pass |
| 4. Walls and insulation | Drywall, patching, primer | Walls ready for cabinets |
| 5. Flooring (often) | Floor installed before or after cabinets, by plan | Agree which comes first |
| 6. Cabinets | Set and level base and wall cabinets | Cabinets fixed in place |
| 7. Countertops | Template, fabricate, install | Sink and cooktop cut-outs confirmed |
| 8. Backsplash and trim | Tile, trim, paint touch-up | Surfaces finished |
| 9. Fixtures and appliances | Sink, faucet, appliances, lights | Final inspection |
| 10. Punch list | Small fixes and adjustments | Final payment |
Flooring before or after cabinets
There are two common approaches: install flooring through the whole room first, then cabinets on top, or install cabinets first and floor around them. Each has trade-offs for future changes and cost. The important thing is to decide in the contract, so the flooring and cabinet trades do not each assume the other goes first.
Tip: Photograph every open wall after rough-in passes inspection and before drywall goes up. Label the photos by wall. You will know exactly where pipes and wires run for future projects.
Countertops take their own time
Stone and solid-surface countertops are usually measured, or templated, only after the base cabinets are installed and level. Fabrication then takes time before installation. Plan for the sink and cooktop to be out of service during this gap and ask the contractor to state the expected timing.
Living without a kitchen
Most households need a temporary kitchen for several weeks. Set it up away from the dust with a small refrigerator, a microwave and a table. More ideas in Living at Home During a Remodel vs. Moving Out.
Tying payments to stages
The stages above make natural payment milestones: after demolition, after rough-in inspections pass, after cabinets are set, after countertops are installed and after the final inspection and punch list. Collect lien releases with each payment. See Deposits and Payment Schedules: Paying for a Remodel in Stages.
Ventilation and electrical details
Kitchens need more electrical capacity than most rooms, and a new layout often adds outlets, lighting and dedicated circuits for appliances. The City of Las Vegas guide requires a permit to install or alter permanent wiring or add outlets and fixtures. A range hood that must vent outside is mechanical work that needs a permit as well. Decide on appliances and hood placement early, so the electrician and the ventilation work can be done during rough-in, not after the cabinets are hung.
Cabinets: reface or replace
If your cabinet boxes are sound and the layout works, refacing may be an option. If you are changing the layout, new cabinets are usually needed. Compare both in Cabinet Refacing vs. Cabinet Replacement.
Common mistakes
Changing the layout after rough-in, ordering appliances after cabinets are built and closing walls before inspection are the most common and expensive mistakes. Another is forgetting outlets and lighting under wall cabinets until the backsplash is on.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to replace countertops?
Generally not in the City of Las Vegas or Clark County, as long as no plumbing or wiring is changed.
Who coordinates the trades?
For a multi-trade kitchen, usually a licensed general building contractor.
When should appliances arrive?
Close to installation, but ordered early enough to avoid delays. Ask the contractor for a date.
Next room: Tub-to-Shower Conversion: What Changes and What Needs a Permit.