Kitchen Renovation — What's Involved and How to Plan It Right

Not all kitchen renovations are equal. The scope can range from a simple unit replacement to a full structural reconfiguration:

**Level 1 — Replacement kitchen (units and worktops only)**: The existing layout stays. Old units are removed and new units installed in the same positions. Worktops replaced. Appliances swapped. Tiles behind the old units may need replacing. Typical cost: £8,000–£18,000 (units client-supplied or included; labour + plumbing + electrics + tiling) Disruption: 2–3 weeks

**Level 2 — Full renovation (layout change, new electrics and plumbing)**: Layout changed, new units and worktops, electrics and lighting fully updated, plumbing for sink and dishwasher relocated, extraction upgraded, new flooring. Typical cost: £15,000–£28,000 (excluding units) Disruption: 4–6 weeks

**Level 3 — Full renovation with structural opening**: All of Level 2, plus: a structural opening into an adjacent room (load-bearing wall removal and RSJ), or a connection through the rear wall into an extension. Structural engineer required. Building Regulations required. Typical cost: £25,000–£45,000 (excluding units and extension, if any) Disruption: 6–10 weeks

**Level 4 — Kitchen extension (combined with rear or side extension)**: See: kitchen extension guide. Total cost £50,000–£150,000+ including the extension structure.

Getting the sequence of trades right is the most important factor in a smooth kitchen renovation. The correct sequence:

1. **Strip-out and demolition**: removal of all old units, worktops, appliances, and old flooring; any wall openings cut; damp treatment if required 2. **Structural works**: RSJ installation for any structural opening; temporary propping; making good after steel installation 3. **First-fix plumbing**: new soil and water pipework in the correct positions for the new layout; hidden behind walls and floors before plastering 4. **First-fix electrics**: new circuits for cooker (typically 6mm² dedicated circuit), fridge-freezer (13A), dishwasher (13A), washing machine (13A), extraction (5A or dedicated), floor heating (if UFH); new lighting circuit; all wiring hidden before plastering 5. **Plastering**: plaster skim to all walls, patch plaster where old units were, new plaster where structural works were done; allow 7–14 days to dry 6. **Floor screed or substrate**: if new floor is to be laid (particularly if UFH is involved), floor screed or boards installed before units; allow 7–14 days to cure for screed 7. **Unit installation**: all base and wall units installed by the kitchen fitter; appliances may be placed in position 8. **Worktops**: templated and installed by the worktop fabricator (allow 5–10 days from templating to delivery for stone worktops) 9. **Second-fix plumbing**: sink, tap, dishwasher, and washing machine connected 10. **Second-fix electrics**: sockets, switches, under-cabinet lighting, and appliance connections; NICEIC Part P certificate issued 11. **Tiling**: splashback and any wall tiling; grout 12. **Flooring**: final flooring laid (if not before units) 13. **Final appliance installation**: integrated appliances (oven, hob, microwave, fridge-freezer) fitted 14. **Decoration**: painting and finishing; kitchen doors/handles adjusted and aligned 15. **Snagging**: walkthrough of all items; adjustment of hinges and drawers; first-use check of appliances and plumbing

The cost of a kitchen renovation is driven by:

**Labour (60–70% of total cost for a trade-only scope)**: Plumber, electrician, structural carpenter (if opening involved), plasterer, tiler, kitchen fitter. In London, skilled trade day rates are £250–£400 per day. A complex kitchen renovation involves 6–8 different trades over 4–8 weeks.

• **Kitchen units and worktops (separate cost — client-supplied or included)**:
• •IKEA-level: £1,500–£4,000 for units; £500–£1,500 for laminate worktops
• •Mid-range (Howdens, Wren, Symphony): £4,000–£12,000 for units; £1,500–£4,000 for quartz or engineered stone
• •High-end (bespoke cabinetry, real stone): £15,000–£60,000+

**Layout complexity**: An island layout requires more careful planning of service positions (socket and data points in the island, plumbing if a sink is included). Islands also require worktops in two or three pieces with joints — more expensive than a simple run.

**Structural works**: If the kitchen renovation involves removing a load-bearing wall to connect to an adjacent room, add £3,500–£6,500 for the structural work (structural engineer, propping, steel installation, making good).

**Extraction**: A standard extraction through an external wall is straightforward. Extraction through a central island (requiring ductwork through the ceiling and out through an external wall or roof) is significantly more complex and expensive.

The most expensive kitchen renovation mistakes happen at the planning stage, not the build stage:

**Decide the layout before any trades are booked**: the position of the sink, hob, fridge, and dishwasher determines the plumbing and electrical first-fix positions. Changing the layout after the first fix is under the floor and walls is extremely expensive.

**Order units and worktops early**: kitchen delivery lead times are 4–12 weeks depending on the manufacturer. Worktop stone is templated after units are installed — allow an additional 5–10 days. If delivery is late, the kitchen fitter waits and every subsequent trade is delayed.

**Confirm appliance cutout sizes before ordering units**: different appliance brands have different cutout requirements. The kitchen fitter must know the exact appliance models before building the cabinets — or the cutouts will be wrong.

**Decide on the flooring position in the sequence**: if hardwood or engineered boards are used, they should typically be installed before units to run continuously under the kick boards (it looks better and protects more of the floor). If large-format tiles are used, they can go before or after units. If the floor is screed with UFH, it goes before units.

**Confirm the extraction route**: the most overlooked decision. An island hob with overhead extraction requires ductwork through the ceiling — this must be coordinated with the plasterer, electrician, and any ceiling works.