Key takeaways
- Set a budget with a contingency of 10 to 20 percent, because kitchens are where surprises hide.
- Moving the sink, hob or walls is the single biggest cost driver. Keeping services where they are saves a lot.
- Order long-lead items early and plan the order of trades, or the job stalls waiting on deliveries.
- Plan how you will cope without a kitchen for a couple of weeks, as the disruption is easy to underestimate.
A kitchen renovation runs smoothly or badly depending almost entirely on the planning you do before anyone picks up a tool. Here is a sensible order to think it through.
Start with budget and scope
Decide what you are actually doing. Replacing doors and worktops on existing units is far cheaper than a full rip-out, and a full rip-out is cheaper than moving the layout around. Set a realistic budget, then add a contingency of 10 to 20 percent, because old walls and floors tend to reveal problems once the units come off.
Think hard about the layout
Where the sink, hob and fridge sit shapes how the kitchen works day to day. If the existing positions are sensible, keeping them keeps costs down. Moving plumbing, gas or electrics to a new layout is where budgets balloon, so only do it if the gain is worth the spend.
The catch: a beautiful new layout that relocates the sink and hob can quietly double the cost through extra plumbing, wiring and making good. Be honest about whether the change earns its money.
Order, sequence and trades
Units and appliances can have long lead times, so order them early and confirm dates before booking trades. A typical job runs in order: strip out, first-fix plumbing and electrics, plastering, flooring, units, worktops, then second-fix and appliances. Line the trades up in that sequence so nobody is waiting on someone else. Notifiable electrical work must meet building regulations, so use a qualified electrician who can certify it.
Plan for the disruption
You will likely be without a usable kitchen for one to three weeks. A temporary setup with a kettle, microwave and a sink elsewhere makes that bearable. For budgeting and return, see our home improvement cost report and which improvements add the most value.
FAQ
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
Most kitchens take one to three weeks on site once work starts, depending on the scope and whether the layout is changing. Planning and ordering beforehand often takes longer than the build itself.
What is the biggest cost in a kitchen renovation?
Moving services, the sink, hob, gas or electrics to a new layout, is usually the biggest driver, along with the units and worktops. Keeping the existing layout is the main way to control cost.
Do I need building regulations for a new kitchen?
A like-for-like refit often does not, but electrical work, structural changes and new windows or drainage can be notifiable. Use trades who can certify their work to the regulations.