A kitchen renovation timeline

We interviewed a number of trade professionals to understand the steps and the sequence of the jobs that you need to follow to transform a kitchen.

Kitchen renovation timeline

A kitchen installation can take anywhere from several weeks to months, depending on the scale and detail of the renovation. For example, events such as finding asbestos, relocating utilities, installing solid stone benchtops, importing appliances and finishes, and installing certain types of flooring can all dramatically impact your timeline.

Wilhelm Harnisch, Chief Executive of Master Builders Australia, and Alex Milne, Executive Director of the Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute, provide insight into the stages of a kitchen renovation.

Stage 1. Research, plan and engage trade professionals

1. Research kitchen ideas and trade professionals.
2. Engage a kitchen designer or architect to finalise your kitchen design and draw up plans (some kitchen manufacturers and builders offer this service).
3. Engage a building contractor (your designer or kitchen manufacturer may do this on your behalf), who will assess whether a building approval is required and take measurements. This is when fixtures are ordered.
4. Your contractor will organise the sub-trades. According to Milne, this will occur when the kitchen cabinets are ready for installation or earlier if other building work is needed prior to this.

Harnisch strongly advises against DIY project management, but if you are planning to take charge make sure you are onsite regularly and available at short notice. If decisions need to be made and you aren’t there, it will cause major delays. Milne recommends checking with your local council as licensing regulations in some states prevent homeowners from project managing certain renovations.

The earlier you engage a building contractor the better. This way potential issues can be identified and overcome. Harnisch recommends asking your builder whether you need a building inspector or certifier if your plans involve structural work.

Stage 2. Demolition and installation

1. Disconnect services using a licensed electrician, gas installer and plumber.
2. Remove the old kitchen except, Milne notes, any flooring or wall coverings you want to keep in your design.
3. Rough in (lay out basic lines) new framing, plumbing and electrical installations.
4. Repair wall surfaces and prepare for the installation to begin.
5. Cabinetry is generally installed next, but the type of flooring you choose will significantly impact the timing and other procedures. For example, timber, concrete and vinyl require different levels of waterproofing and other preparations, Harnisch says.
6. Install the benchtops and splashbacks.
7. Fit appliances using a licensed electrician, gas installer and plumber.
8. Do the final touches such as painting, flooring and other finishes.

Before the hard yakka takes place, it is important to find out whether you have asbestos.

“In older homes [pre-1984] asbestos will most likely be found in kitchens and bathrooms. Clients need to understand from a qualified builder and [if they are not qualified asbestos handlers] someone else qualified in how long removal of asbestos will take and how to protect themselves and their family in the process,”says Harnisch. “If structural work is involved, then home warranty insurance would also be advisable.”

Continue reading the Complete Kitchen Renovation Guide with: Find the best kitchen renovation trade and professional help