How Long Does IKEA Kitchen Installation Take? A Realistic Timeline

How Long Does IKEA Kitchen Installation Take?

Most IKEA kitchens take 1–3 days for professional cabinet installation. The full renovation including countertops and finishing takes 2–4 weeks.

Planning a kitchen renovation means planning your life around it. You need to know how long you'll be without a functional kitchen so you can arrange meals, adjust your routine, and manage expectations. Here's a realistic, day-by-day timeline for a professional IKEA kitchen installation.

Installation Timeline by Project Size

*Times assume professional installation with an experienced team.*

The Short Answer

For a typical medium-sized kitchen (10-15 cabinets), professional IKEA kitchen installation takes 3 to 7 working days for cabinet work alone. The full renovation, including countertops, plumbing, electrical, and backsplash, takes 2 to 4 weeks from start to finish.

Phase 1: Planning and Ordering (2-4 Weeks Before Installation)

Before any physical work begins, you need to:

• Finalize your IKEA kitchen plan using the IKEA Kitchen Planner or with help from an IKEA kitchen planning service
• Place your order at your local IKEA store or online
• Schedule delivery - IKEA delivery typically takes 1-2 weeks
• Book your installer - Professional installers fill up fast, especially in the NYC metro area. Book at least 2-3 weeks in advance.
• Obtain necessary permits - Some NYC buildings require work permits or board approval. New Jersey also has specific requirements. See our guides on NYC building codes and NJ renovation permits.

Phase 2: Delivery and Inventory (Day 0)

When your IKEA order arrives:

• Verify every item against your order list. Missing items can delay the entire project.
• Check for damage - Inspect boxes for crushing, dents, or water damage.
• Organize by cabinet - Group items by which cabinet they belong to.
• Report issues immediately - IKEA's replacement process can take 1-2 weeks, so catch problems early.

Pro tip: Order 1-2 extra cover panels and filler pieces. They're inexpensive insurance against cutting mistakes.

Phase 3: Demolition and Prep (Day 1)

This is where the real work begins:

Morning:

• Disconnect and remove appliances
• Turn off water supply to the kitchen
• Remove old cabinets, countertops, and backsplash
• Haul away debris (dumpster or junk removal service)

Afternoon:

• Repair any wall damage revealed during demolition
• Check floor level and wall plumb
• Mark stud locations
• Lay out cabinet positions on walls and floor
• Address any plumbing or electrical rough-in changes

In older NYC buildings, especially pre-war apartments in Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights, demolition often reveals surprises like outdated wiring, plumbing issues, or uneven surfaces that need correction.

Phase 4: Cabinet Assembly (Days 2-3)

IKEA cabinets arrive flat-packed and need to be assembled before installation:

• A skilled installer can assemble 8-12 cabinets per day
• Assembly includes attaching cam locks, inserting wooden dowels, securing backs, and adding legs or suspension rails
• Quality check - Each cabinet is squared and inspected before installation

This is the phase where professional assembly really pays off. An experienced team with the right tools can assemble cabinets in a fraction of the time it takes a DIYer. Learn about the DIY vs professional comparison.

Phase 5: Cabinet Installation (Days 3-5)

With cabinets assembled, installation proceeds:

Wall Cabinets First:

• Install the IKEA suspension rail system
• Hang upper cabinets, starting from a corner
• Level and align each cabinet
• Connect cabinets to each other with screws
• Adjust legs and hinges

Base Cabinets Next:

• Position base cabinets along layout lines
• Level using adjustable legs
• Secure to walls at stud locations
• Connect cabinets together
• Install sink base with plumbing cutouts

Finishing Details:

• Install filler strips and scribe pieces
• Attach door fronts and drawer fronts
• Install all hardware (handles, knobs)
• Adjust hinges and drawer slides for perfect alignment
• Install toekicks
• Add interior organizers and accessories

Phase 6: Countertop Templating and Installation (Days 6-10)

After cabinets are installed:

• Templating (Day 6): A countertop fabricator visits to create precise templates. This must happen after cabinet installation.
• Fabrication (3-5 business days): Your countertops are cut and finished at the fabricator's shop.
• Installation (Day 10): Countertops are delivered and installed, sink cutout is made, and edges are finished.

For more on countertop choices, check our IKEA kitchen countertop options guide.

Phase 7: Final Connections and Finishing (Days 10-12)

The home stretch:

• Plumbing connections - Sink, faucet, dishwasher, garbage disposal
• Electrical work - Under-cabinet lighting, outlet covers, appliance connections
• Backsplash installation - If applicable, tile or panel backsplash goes in after countertops
• Appliance installation - Slide in range, mount microwave, install dishwasher
• Final adjustments - Touch up any hinges, test all drawers and doors
• Cleanup and walkthrough

Factors That Can Extend Your Timeline

Several things can push your installation beyond the standard timeline:

• Missing or damaged IKEA parts - Replacement orders can add 1-2 weeks
• Building restrictions - Some NYC co-ops limit work to weekdays 9-5, or restrict noisy work to certain hours
• Structural issues - Discovering mold, rot, or outdated electrical behind old cabinets
• Permit delays - Building permits in New Jersey or NYC can take days to weeks
• Custom countertops - Stone countertops require longer fabrication times than laminate
• Weather - Deliveries can be delayed in winter, especially in the Northeast

Tips to Keep Your Project on Schedule

1. Order early and check everything - Verify your full IKEA order the day it arrives
2. Book tradespeople in advance - Plumbers and electricians should be scheduled before cabinet installation begins
3. Prepare your space - Clear out your kitchen completely before Day 1. See our preparation guide.
4. Have a meal plan - Set up a temporary kitchen area with microwave, coffee maker, and disposable plates
5. Communicate with your building - Notify neighbors and secure elevator reservations in advance

Our professional installation team has completed hundreds of IKEA kitchens across New York and New Jersey. Contact us for a timeline estimate specific to your project.

Can IKEA kitchens be installed in one day?

Yes — small galley kitchens with up to 10 cabinets can often be installed in a single day by a professional team. This assumes the old kitchen has already been removed, walls are prepped, and all IKEA parts are present and verified. A one-day install is most common in Manhattan studios and smaller apartments where the layout is straightforward.

How long should I plan to be without a kitchen?

Plan for 1 to 4 weeks without a fully functional kitchen, depending on project scope. Set up a temporary kitchen area with a microwave, coffee maker, and disposable plates in another room. The cabinet installation itself is the fastest part — it's the countertop fabrication (3-5 business days) and plumbing/electrical reconnections that extend the overall timeline.

Does professional installation save time vs DIY?

Significantly. A professional team can complete in 1-3 days what takes most DIYers 2-4 weekends. The time savings come from experience (no re-reading instructions), proper tools (rail mounting systems, laser levels), and the ability to have multiple people working simultaneously. See our DIY vs professional comparison for a detailed breakdown.