Step 1: Brief and budget
Write down who cooks, how often, what you cook and what annoys you now. Set a budget with a 10 percent buffer. Decide your priorities, for example storage, looks or appliances. A clear brief saves money.
Step 2: Measure and survey
Measure walls, ceiling height, windows, doors and service points (water, drain, gas, power, exhaust). Note beams, columns and slopes. Take photos. Accurate measurements prevent expensive mistakes when cabinets arrive.
Step 3: Layout
Choose a layout that suits the room, and keep the sink, hob and fridge close in a work triangle. See kitchen counter design for shapes. Check the clearance for doors and drawers.
Step 4: Services
Plan plumbing, gas, electrical points and the exhaust route before finishes. Move services now, not after tiling. Fixed plumbing and gas work should be done by a licensed plumber or gas fitter. A licensed electrician should plan socket heights and circuits.
Step 5: Cabinets, counters and appliances
Choose cabinets by board, finish and hardware, the counter by use and budget and appliances by size and fit. Give your cabinet maker the exact appliance models. See cabinet sheets, slabs and hobs.
Step 6: Lighting and finishes
Plan ceiling lights, under-cabinet lights and a feature light. Choose paint, backsplash and handles last, using samples in your light. See kitchen colour combination for palettes.
Budget checklist
These indicative shares are a guide for a mid-range kitchen.
| Item | Typical share |
|---|---|
| Cabinets and hardware | 40 - 50 percent |
| Counter and sink | 10 - 15 percent |
| Appliances and hood | 15 - 25 percent |
| Tiles, paint and lighting | 8 - 12 percent |
| Plumbing and electrical work | 5 - 10 percent |
| Buffer | 10 percent |
Prices move with brand, model, size and stock. Use these ranges to judge a quote, then compare the exact model and what is included.
Typical timeline
Allow two to four weeks for design and approvals, three to six weeks for cabinet making, a week for counters and a week for finishing. Services and tiling come before cabinets, and counters are measured after cabinets are fitted.
Before you start
Visit two or three completed kitchens, ask for written quotes with drawings and compare line by line. Agree payment in stages linked to progress, and keep every drawing and message. A well run project costs less and finishes sooner than a rushed one. Keep a project folder with the drawings, quotes, samples and receipts, and take photos before walls are closed so you know where pipes and wires run. This helps with later repairs and with future upgrades, and makes it easy to compare progress with the plan. Finally, review progress weekly with a short checklist: materials delivered, work completed, issues found and decisions needed, so small problems are caught before they become costly. Share the checklist with everyone involved. Keep the household informed of noisy or dusty days. Thank the workers and pay on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brief and budget, measure and survey, layout, services, cabinets counters and appliances, lighting and finishes. Follow them in order. Ask for the specification in writing so you can compare quotes on the same basis. Check the warranty terms and who honours them before you pay.
As a guide, 40 to 50 percent for cabinets and hardware, 10 to 15 percent for counter and sink, 15 to 25 percent for appliances and the rest for finishes, services and a buffer. Check the warranty terms and who honours them before you pay.
Typically eight to twelve weeks from design to finish, depending on the maker and complexity. Measure carefully and confirm sizes with the seller before ordering. Rates and stock change, so confirm the current position before you commit. If you are unsure, send a photo and the measurements and we will advise.
Before finishes. Move water, gas, power and exhaust points before tiling, not after. Rates and stock change, so confirm the current position before you commit. If you are unsure, send a photo and the measurements and we will advise. Ask for the specification in writing so you can compare quotes on the same basis.
Visit finished kitchens, ask for written quotes with drawings, compare line by line and pay in stages linked to progress. If you are unsure, send a photo and the measurements and we will advise. Ask for the specification in writing so you can compare quotes on the same basis.
Message us on WhatsApp with what you need and where it will be used. We check what we can supply and send a written rate showing the model, quantity, warranty and delivery, so you can judge it against other offers. Rates and stock change, so confirm the current position before you commit.