When Will You Do My Kitchen Project?

You’ve signed the contract for your kitchen remodel and you’re excited to get started. But then reality sets in—you’re told there’s a wait before construction begins. Suddenly, you’re wondering: When will my project actually start? Homeowners often don’t realize that signing a contract is not the same as starting construction.

At JSB Home Solutions, we’ve been remodeling Central Ohio kitchens for nearly 50 years, and we know that one of the most important parts of setting expectations is understanding the time frame between when you sign a contract and when construction actually begins. A remodel isn’t like picking something off a store shelf—it takes careful planning, ordering, and scheduling before the first day of work arrives.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through what happens during that preparation period, and you’ll learn why it matters for the success of your project, and how the timeline a company gives you can reveal a lot about their quality and reliability.

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Lead Time 101: Setting Realistic Expectations for Your Remodel

If this is your first remodeling project—or if you’re new to the industry—you might not be familiar with the term “lead time.” We’re here to break it down for you!

Lead time refers to the period of time between signing your contract with a remodeling company and the day construction actually begins. Think of it as the planning and preparation phase. During this stage, designs are finalized, materials are ordered, and project schedules are coordinated. Lead times vary based on the scope of your remodel, the materials you’ve selected, and how busy the contractor is.

This preparation period is every bit as important to the success of your project as the construction itself. Without careful planning, you run into avoidable headaches—wrong measurements can mean a vanity that won’t fit your bathroom, shower panels that arrive the wrong size, or missing parts that leave your project stuck mid-construction while you wait for shipping. Every mistake means more time living with your kitchen or bathroom torn apart.

A well-managed lead time protects you from these problems. It ensures everything is measured correctly, ordered on time, and lined up so installation flows smoothly from start to finish. In short, lead time isn’t just waiting—it’s the behind-the-scenes work that makes your remodel efficient, accurate, and far less stressful.

What Happens During the Planning Process Before Construction

Once you’ve signed your contract and your design vision is in place, the real preparation begins. Here are some of the most important steps that happen before the first day of demo:

1. Detailed Measurements
   Every inch matters in a remodel. Precise, on-site measurements confirm that cabinets, vanities, and fixtures will fit exactly as planned. Skipping this step risks costly mistakes—like panels that don’t align or a vanity that won’t fit in its space.
2. Material Selection & Ordering
   This is where style choices meet practical planning. Finalizing finishes, colors, and hardware early keeps your project on track. Custom materials, like Trail’s Amish-built cabinetry, require production time, so getting them ordered in advance is key to avoiding delays.
3. Permits & Approvals
   Depending on your project, local building permits and inspections—or even HOA approvals—may be required. Securing these ahead of time ensures your remodel stays compliant and avoids mid-project surprises.
4. Scheduling & Coordination With Other Contractors
   Your contractor’s team works behind the scenes to line up all the moving parts—cabinet delivery, countertop fabrication, plumbing, electrical, and more. A carefully coordinated schedule keeps each stage flowing smoothly without bottlenecks.
5. Preparing Your Home & Family For A Kitchen Remodel
   Remodeling means short-term disruption. Whether it’s setting up a temporary kitchen, planning bathroom routines, or protecting adjacent rooms, preparing your household in advance makes the transition into construction much easier.

Each of these steps is critical for keeping your project on track, avoiding delays, and making sure your remodel is done right the first time. When every detail is handled ahead of time—measurements, materials, permits, and scheduling—you can move into construction with confidence, knowing your remodel will run efficiently and deliver the results you’ve been waiting for.

Why Lead Times Are Essential to a Successful Kitchen Remodel

Lead times aren’t just a waiting period—they’re a direct reflection of the contractor you’ve chosen and how they operate. They can reveal a lot about the quality of materials, the company’s reputation, and how organized their process is. Here’s what different lead times might signal:

• Super Short Lead Times – If a company says they can start right away, it often means they’re using stock or lower-quality materials that don’t require ordering or customization. It could also mean they don’t have many projects on their schedule, which in some cases is a red flag that they may not be very established or reliable.
  
  
• Reasonable Lead Times – Well-established companies with steady work and custom options typically have longer lead times. This is a good sign—it means they’re carefully managing schedules, coordinating multiple trades, and ordering made-to-order materials that take time to produce.
  
  
• Very Long Lead Times – Busy seasons can stretch timelines, but excessively long lead times may point to poor scheduling, overbooking, or lack of communication. While some wait is expected with quality work, you’ll want to make sure the company keeps you updated and sets realistic expectations.
  
  

The key is to understand what your contractor’s lead time means—and whether it aligns with your expectations, your family’s schedule, and the quality of project you want.

Why Good Remodeling Starts Long Before Construction

A successful remodel doesn’t begin with demolition day—it begins months earlier with careful planning. By understanding what your production team is working on behind the scenes, you can have an active role in making sure your remodel process is smooth and also works around your family’s schedule, upcoming events, and even seasonal goals.

Think about the moments that matter most in your home. Want your new kitchen ready for Thanksgiving dinner with family? That means you’ll need to be on the calendar with your remodeling contractor by summer. Hoping for a spring project when the weather warms up? The best time to start those conversations is in the winter, before contractor schedules fill up.

The truth is, remodeling timelines don’t just depend on how long construction takes—they also depend on how quickly materials arrive, how much design work is needed, and how your project fits into the company’s production schedule. The earlier you start, the more flexibility you’ll have in choosing the right products, locking in your contractor’s availability, and avoiding last-minute stress.

In short, planning ahead is the difference between rushing to make decisions and confidently moving forward on a timeline that works for you and your family.

How JSB Sets Your Remodel Up for Success

At JSB Home Solutions, we believe in transparency. We’ll walk you through what needs to happen before your project begins, explain realistic lead times, and keep you updated every step of the way. With nearly 50 years of experience, our goal is to make sure your kitchen remodel is smooth, stress-free, and worth the wait. We understand that remodeling is a big investment—not just financially, but in your family’s comfort and daily life—and that’s why our planning process is as detailed as our craftsmanship. From ordering custom cabinetry to coordinating every trade involved, we take care of the details so you can focus on the excitement of seeing your vision come to life.

Schedule your free, no-pressure consultation today, and let’s start planning the kitchen you’ve been dreaming of—so together we can Dream Big and Remodel Smart on a timeline that works for you.