How long does it take to get custom cabinets made?
Custom cabinets typically take 4 to 8 weeks to fabricate plus 1 to 2 weeks for installation, for a total of about 6 to 10 weeks from design approval to a finished kitchen. Refacing is much faster at 3 to 5 days, and ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets ship in 3 to 9 days but require professional assembly. If you have been weighing up custom kitchen cabinets vs refacing for a home around Naperville, IL, this guide covers how it actually works, what it tends to cost, and where the results usually fall short.
What affects the timeline
- Finish and hardware decisions: every week you delay choosing species, color, and hardware adds a week at the end. Lock decisions before fabrication starts.
- Shop capacity: most cabinet shops run at full capacity from March through August. Ordering in winter means firmer quotes and faster turnaround.
- Prep work: moving plumbing, electrical, or walls adds 1-2 weeks before installation can start.
- Custom details: inset doors, specialty finishes, and unusual sizes add 1-2 weeks to fabrication.
The realistic week-by-week breakdown
- Weeks 1-2: design, measurements, material and finish selection
- Weeks 3-7: fabrication (boxes, dovetail drawers, finish coats)
- Week 7: quality control and hardware installation
- Week 8: cabinet installation, leveling, alignment
- Weeks 8-9: countertops and backsplash
How long does cabinet refacing take?
Refacing — new solid-wood doors and drawer fronts on your existing boxes — takes 3 to 5 days and costs about half of a full custom build. It's the fastest path when your boxes are structurally sound.
How long does a full kitchen remodel take?
Including demolition, rough-ins, cabinets, countertops, and finishing, a complete kitchen remodel in Naperville typically runs 10 to 16 weeks with custom cabinets — or 6 to 10 weeks when cabinets are refaced or pre-finished stock.
