A kitchen remodel involves more trades than any other room in the house. Thinking through the following points before you order units will save time, money and frustration.
Layout before looks
Decide how the kitchen needs to work before choosing door colours. Where will the sink, hob and fridge sit in relation to each other? Is there enough worktop either side of the hob? Will an island leave enough room to open doors and drawers? Knocking through to a dining room or removing a chimney breast can transform a narrow London kitchen, and is best decided at this stage.
Services and first fix
Moving a sink or hob means moving plumbing, electrics and sometimes gas. These are first-fix jobs that happen before plastering and must be carried out by appropriately qualified trades. Plan socket positions, under-cabinet lighting and appliance circuits with the final layout in front of you.
Storage and the details that matter daily
Tall larder units, deep drawers instead of base cupboards and well-placed bins make more difference to daily life than most people expect. Think about where small appliances will live and whether a pantry cupboard would suit the space.
Worktops, splashbacks and flooring
Worktops are usually templated after the units are fitted and arrive a week or two later, so build that into your timeline. Choose flooring that can cope with spills, and decide whether it runs under the units or stops at the plinths.
Getting the sequence right
Strip-out, building work, first fix, plastering, flooring, units, worktops, tiling, second fix and decoration is the usual order. A single team managing the whole sequence avoids the gaps that happen when separate trades are booked independently.
We fit kitchens from most UK suppliers and can advise on what will work in your space before you place an order.