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Kitchen Renovation Order of Operations: A Step-by-Step Guide

Posted October 7, 2024

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If you’re diving into a kitchen renovation to create your dream kitchen, the process can seem a bit daunting. However, by following the right steps, you can ensure things run smoothly and avoid unnecessary headaches. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to approach your kitchen renovation project to make the most of your time, effort, and investment. The amount of planning you take on yourself is totally up to you, for a lot of these steps we reccomend utilising professionals to ensure a quality result and less stress.

Planning Your Kitchen Renovation

Define Your Goals

Before you start, it’s essential to figure out what you want to achieve with your kitchen renovation. Are you looking to create more space, modernise the look, or improve functionality? Knowing your goals will help guide the entire kitchen remodelling process.

Set Your Budget

Once you know what you want to achieve, the next step is setting a budget. Be realistic about how much you can spend, and factor in a little extra for any surprises along the way. Having a clear budget helps in making informed decisions about materials, design, and appliances.

Get Professional Help

Even if you’re handy with tools, a kitchen renovation requires consulting professionals. Our kitchen designers can help you optimise your space and ensure everything fits together perfectly. Tradespeople like electricians and plumbers are also crucial for specialised tasks.

Measuring and Creating the Layout

Accurate Measurements

Getting precise measurements of your kitchen is key to ensuring your new appliances, cabinets, and benchtops will fit. Measure everything—walls, floors, windows, doors—multiple times to avoid costly mistakes down the road. This is why we are happy to visit your home to take measurements ourselves.

Create a Functional Layout

With measurements in hand, we can begin the planning stage of your layout. We aim for a modern kitchen design that balances aesthetics and functionality. The “working triangle” (the distance between the sink, stove, and fridge) is a helpful guideline to ensure cooking efficiency. This is just a guide and is not the be all and end all.

Demolition and Preparation

Clear Out the Space

Now it’s time for the messy part—demolition. Remove the existing cabinets, old countertops, appliances, and anything else that’s being replaced. Be sure to protect floors and nearby areas from dust and debris. If you’re doing it yourself, ensure you have the right safety gear.

Framing and Structural Work

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Walls and Ceilings

If your kitchen renovation involves changing the structure—like moving walls or adding new walls—now is the time to handle that. Ensure everything is properly framed, and any required consents are secured. This is where we recommend a professional builder to ensure work is conducted correctly.

Windows and Doors

Next, focus on any changes to windows or doors. If you’re enlarging windows or adding a new one for more light, ensure they’re installed properly with adequate insulation to keep your kitchen energy-efficient.

Electrical and Plumbing Rough-Ins

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Install Pipes and Wiring

Once the structure is complete, it’s time to install or alter the existing plumbing and electrical. This includes placing pipes for your sink, dishwasher, or fridge, as well as wiring for outlets, lighting, and appliances.

Prepare for Appliances

Make sure all the rough-ins are precisely where they need to be for your new appliances. Double-check measurements to avoid any last-minute surprises during installation.

Installing Insulation and Wall linings

Proper Insulation

Installing insulation in your walls and ceiling is crucial for maintaining the kitchen’s temperature and reducing energy costs. Focus on areas like exterior walls to keep your space warm in winter and cool in summer.

Hanging the Wall Linings

Once the insulation is in place, you can start the lining installation phase of the renovation process. This is the step that makes the room look like a room again. Make sure it’s taped and sanded smoothly to prepare for painting.

Painting and Finishing Walls

Prepping for Paint

Before you break out the paintbrushes, make sure your walls are clean and primed. This will help ensure the paint goes on smoothly and evenly.

Selecting Paint Colours

Now comes the fun part—choosing your paint colours. Whether you go for a bright, bold look or a subtle, neutral palette, make sure your colours match the overall style of your kitchen.

Installing Flooring

Choose the Right Material

The type of flooring you choose can make a big difference in the look and functionality of your kitchen. Whether you prefer tiles, wood, or laminate, be sure to choose a durable option that can withstand spills and foot traffic.

Timing the Installation

The type of flooring dictates when installation should happen, we reccomend to consult with us and your flooring company to ensure the best finish for your kitchen.

Cabinet Installation

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Assembling and Hanging Cabinets

Now it’s time for cabinet installation. here we start by placing the cabinets, here we make sure everything is level and securely fastened.

Adjusting for Appliances

As weinstall the cabinets, we are mindful of the spaces left for appliances like the fridge and stove. It’s important that these fit correctly and are accessible.

Benchtops and Backsplash

Benchtop Installation

Next, your benchtop will be installed, Whether you’ve chosen zero silica engineered stone, laminate or another product will dictate whether this is installed on the same day or at a later date, this is so we can make sure everything fits. Speak to your design expert for more information.

Choosing a Backsplash

The backsplash is both a practical and decorative element of your kitchen. It protects the walls from spills and stains while adding visual interest. Choose a material and style that complements your countertops and cabinets. This generally happens after kitchen installation and can involve other trades.

Installing Kitchen Appliances

Appliance Installation Order

Now it’s time to bring in your appliances. Start with the more oversized items, like the refrigerator and oven, followed by the smaller ones. Ensure that everything is connected correctly and meets the required safety standards.

Testing and Adjusting Appliances

Once installed, test all the appliances to make sure they’re working properly. It’s better to catch any issues now rather than after the kitchen renovation is complete.

Finishing Touches

Install Light Fixtures

Lighting is crucial in the kitchen, both for practicality and atmosphere. Install your light fixtures, ensuring that they’re positioned to brighten up your workspace.

Touch Ups

We recommend a final round of paint and finishing touch-ups to be completed after kitchen installation, this ensures the best possible finished product

Final Inspection and Clean-Up

Check Everything Works Properly

Before you declare your renovation project finished, give your new kitchen a cursory inspection. Make sure all your appliances work, your cabinets open smoothly, and the plumbing and electrical systems are in good working order.

Clean and Organise

Lastly, it’s time for a thorough clean-up. Remove any dust, debris, or leftover materials and organise your new space. A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen!

Enjoying Your New Kitchen

After all that hard work, it’s finally time to enjoy your new kitchen! Cook up a meal, invite some friends over, and bask in the satisfaction of a job well done.

Our team of experts is dedicated to assisting you throughout the kitchen order operation process. We understand that the kitchen is the heart of your home. Consult with us today to take the first step towards renovating your kitchen for your dream kitchen space.

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