How to Plan Your Kitchen Renovation

Assess Your Kitchen Needs

We know how exciting planning a new kitchen renovation is. You immediately think of how good the final product will look and feel. However, before diving headfirst into the aesthetics, it’s important to keep in mind what you actually want out of your kitchen. Consider your cooking habits, your household size and how often you use your kitchen.

Set a Realistic Budget

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of planning your kitchen renovation and go overboard choosing premium finishes and top-end items before considering your budget. To keep you from going into the red, you must set a realistic budget.

To figure out what your budget might look like it’s important to know what type of kitchen renovation you want. Kitchen renovations are often split into 3 main types:

Budget-Friendly Kitchen Renovation: An affordable kitchen reno focuses on updating essential elements without doing any major structural changes. This might include adding new cabinets, replacing the splashback or updating appliances. A standard reno could cost anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the complexity of the build and the type of materials you choose.

Mid-Range Kitchen Renovation: Mid-range renos include custom cabinetry, stone benchtops, new floors, updated lighting and plumbing fixtures. You might also want to add a kitchen island or a new layout. You can expect to spend from $25,000 - $60,000.

High-End Kitchen Renovation: These renovations often include premium materials like marble or granite countertops, custom cabinetry and high-end appliances. These kitchen renovations can also include knocking a wall down to make an open-plan space. Expect to spend over $60,000.

As with any renovation, things sometimes don’t go according to plan. Our certified builders and cabinetmakers recommend setting aside an extra 10% - 20% of your total budget just in case the unexpected happens.

Choose the Right Layout

The layout of your new kitchen should suit your space and match how you use your kitchen every day.

• L-shaped Kitchens
• U-shaped Kitchens
• Island Kitchens
• Gallery Kitchen
• Hampton Style Kitchens
• Single Line Kitchens

When you’re thinking about the layout of your kitchen, think about the kitchen work triangle to optimise workflow and efficiency.

Plumbing and Electrical Considerations for Your Kitchen Renovation

Plumbing

If you are changing the whole layout of the kitchen, in particular moving the sink or dishwasher, you’ll need to speak to a licensed plumber for advice.

Electrical

Making smart decisions about where to place power points during the planning process can make or break your kitchen design and functionality. Ensure there are power points for all appliances, including:

• Microwave
• Fridge
• Cooktops and Ovens
• Small appliances
• Coffee machines
• Rangehoods

Plan Your Storage and Cabinets

Cabinets and storage solutions often make up the bulk of your renovation budget, but they’re key to making your kitchen comfortable and functional. When picking your new cabinets, don’t just choose what you think is stylish - you’ve got to think about storage too.

Consider features like:

• Space for bins, small appliances like microwaves and cleaning supplies
• Deep drawers and pull-out pantries to maximise storage space
• Wall and vertical storage
• Create a dedicated pantry space
• Under sink storage

Lighting Designs

Great kitchen lighting should cover all bases - it should be both aesthetically pleasing and practical, so you can actually see what you are doing when you’re cooking.

Comparing Building Quotes

It's a dog-eat-dog world out there and it's easy to get ripped off if you don't do your research. Always compare at least 3 different builders as it allows you to accurately compare prices and ensure their work is consistent and minimise financial loss.

Selecting The Right Builder

So you’ve done all the researching and planning, but now you’ve got to choose a builder. Securing a reliable, experienced and professional builder or cabinetmaker is essential to the success of your kitchen renovation. When choosing a builder, check their credentials and make sure they are fully licensed, insured and qualified. It’s also important that you get along with your cabinetmaker and they have strong communication skills and will keep you in the loop if things go wrong.

How Long Will My Kitchen Renovation Take?

How long your kitchen reno takes depends on how well your builders stay on task, but it usually takes anywhere between 3 to 8 weeks.

However, there are many events out of their control which can cause significant delays, such as:

• Material shortages or delivery issues
• Structural surprises like water damage and plumbing issues
• Custom cabinetry delays
• Permits or council approvals

Stop Planning, Start Building With Haddon Kitchens

Haddon Kitchens is your local Brisbane kitchen renovation specialist. With years of experience designing and building custom cabinetry, our team are here to help bring your kitchen renovation dreams to life. We will take into consideration your budget, lifestyle and the features that are important to you and your family. For expert advice and a free consultation, call our expert team on (07) 3204 0399 or fill out our online enquiry form today.