Have you designed your dream kitchen and are now eagerly awaiting the next stage of your renovation?
From organising skips and portaloos to ripping your existing cabinetry, KBB journo Charlotte Luxford has put together what you need to know about the pre-build and build phase of your new kitchen.
Place orders and get ready
“It’s less stressful to move in with family or into rented accommodation during your project,” says Will Durrant, founder at Herringbone House. Or, Will suggests to set up a temporary kitchen (builders will do this for you), with a fridge, microwave, camping hob and slow cooker or air fryer, somewhere in the home. This is a good time to declutter your kitchen, too, ditching any unwanted items.
Emily Pickett, design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways, adds that you or your kitchen company should protect your existing spaces to minimise the spread of dust, and organise services such as skips and portaloos to avoid disruption at the start of the project.
Have a project timeline in place
Be mindful of any issues that could delay the project and plan for every eventuality where possible. Check the kitchen installation date and work backwards, coordinating with all parties to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Get set, build
The first part of the build process will be ripping out the existing kitchen and removing the subfloor in preparation for new flooring and underfloor heating. “We’d then usually erect any supports, if needed, before removing any existing structures, reroute drainage, move manholes and dig new foundations, and pour concrete before installing any new steel beams, columns, padstones,” explains Emily.
The new roof and any new openings would then be installed if it’s a larger project, with ventilation and first-fix plumbing and electrics next, before any stud walls and plasterboard goes up. “Depending on what flooring you go for, some types will need days to acclimatise (like wood), or set, (like concrete or microcement),” adds Emily.
Lastly, it’s the finishing details – adding skirting boards, painting the room, getting ready for the kitchen installers to come in.
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