How to Plan a Kitchen Renovation

Why Kitchens Need Careful Planning

A kitchen renovation is one of the most disruptive and expensive projects you can take on in your home. It typically involves multiple trades — plumbers, electricians, tilers, joiners, and plasterers — all of whom need to work in the right sequence. Without a plan, costs spiral, timelines slip, and you can end up living without a functioning kitchen for weeks longer than necessary.

The good news is that a well-planned kitchen renovation doesn't have to be stressful. Here's how to approach it.

Step 1: Set a Realistic Budget

Before you look at worktops or appliances, work out what you can realistically spend. Kitchen costs vary enormously depending on the size of the space, the quality of materials, and whether you're changing the layout.

Kitchen Type	Typical Budget
Budget refresh (new doors, worktops, painting)	£2,000 – £5,000
Mid-range full renovation	£8,000 – £15,000
High-end / bespoke kitchen	£15,000 – £35,000+

Step 2: Decide What You Actually Need

It's easy to get carried away with Pinterest kitchens, but start with function before aesthetics. Ask yourself the practical questions first.

• Layout — Does the current layout work, or do you need to move plumbing and electrics? Moving a sink or cooker position significantly increases cost
• Storage — Do you need more cupboards, a larder, pull-out drawers? Think about what frustrates you about your current kitchen
• Appliances — Are you keeping existing appliances or buying new? Integrated or freestanding?
• Worktops — Laminate, solid wood, quartz, granite? Each has a different price point and maintenance requirement
• Lighting — Under-cabinet lighting, pendant lights, spotlights? Electrical work for lighting should be planned early

Step 3: Understand the Order of Trades

One of the biggest causes of delays and extra cost is getting tradespeople in the wrong order. A typical kitchen renovation follows this sequence.

1. Strip out — Remove the old kitchen, including units, tiles, and flooring
2. First fix plumbing and electrics — Move or install pipework, waste runs, and electrical circuits before walls are closed up
3. Plastering — Skim walls and ceilings where needed
4. Floor preparation — Level the floor if required
5. Kitchen fitting — Install units, worktops, and appliances
6. Second fix plumbing and electrics — Connect the sink, hob, oven, dishwasher, lighting, and sockets
7. Tiling and splashbacks — Fitted after units are in place
8. Flooring — Laid last to avoid damage from other trades
9. Final fix and snagging — Touch-ups, silicone sealing, handles, final connections

Step 4: Choose the Right Tradespeople

A kitchen renovation typically needs several different trades. You have two main approaches.

Option A: Hire a Kitchen Fitter Who Manages the Project

Some experienced kitchen fitters will coordinate all the other trades for you — bringing in their own plumber, electrician, and tiler. This is simpler for you but you're relying on one person's network and availability.

Option B: Manage the Trades Yourself

If you're comfortable coordinating schedules, you can hire each trade separately. This often works out cheaper and gives you more control over who does the work. A platform like Landoro makes this easier by letting you book verified tradespeople for each stage individually, with every payment protected.

Step 5: Plan for Disruption

A kitchen renovation typically takes 2–4 weeks for a standard refit, longer if you're changing the layout or doing structural work. During this time you won't have a functioning kitchen.

• Set up a temporary kitchen in another room — kettle, microwave, toaster, and a washing-up bowl
• If you have an outside tap, use it for water access during plumbing work
• Budget for more takeaways and ready meals than you'd like to admit
• If you have young children, plan activities that get them out of the house during the noisiest work

Step 6: Don't Skip the Snagging

Once the kitchen is fitted and the trades have finished, do a thorough walk-through before signing off. Check every door opens properly, every drawer runs smoothly, every socket works, and every seal is clean. Take photos of anything that needs fixing and agree a timeline for the contractor to come back.