Free guide

Kitchen renovation checklist

A kitchen project has a lot of moving parts. This is a generic, room-agnostic order of work so nothing gets dropped between “idea” and “done.”

1 · Plan and decide

• Set the scope: what’s changing (layout, cabinets, appliances, surfaces, finishes) and what’s staying put.
• Work out a rough budget and a realistic timeline, and separate the must-haves from the nice-to-haves.
• Draw the layout and pin down where the fixed appliances, plumbing, and gas will go.
• Measure the space and note the positions of the outlets, doors, and windows.

For a realistic week-by-week view of what each phase takes, see the kitchen renovation timeline.

2 · Quote and approve

• Get itemised quotes from a few contractors or suppliers so you can compare like for like.
• Confirm what’s included: materials, labour, waste removal, and any access or permit requirements.
• Agree the order of work, the start date, and how changes and extra costs get approved in writing.
• Put a deposit and a payment schedule in the contract before any work starts.

Not sure what to ask before you approve a quote? See the questions to ask a kitchen contractor.

3 · Build and finish

• Keep a running log of decisions, change orders, and anything that moves the dates or the cost.
• Track the deliveries, the appliance handovers, and a snag list as the work wraps up.
• Do a final walk-through against the agreed scope before you make the final payment.