Your Kitchen Renovation Starts Earlier Than You Think

Many of you will be breaking ground in the New Year — starting renovations and extensions with the promise of build projects that can truly enhance and transform your life.

While the end game may feel like it’s six months away, trust me — that time will fly by. Now is the moment to start planning and setting realistic budgets for your kitchen project.

At this stage, working from architect’s plans is the norm, and these will be taken into consideration by your kitchen designer right from the very beginning of the planning process.

So, where do you start? What help do you need? What support is actually out there? And what can you realistically commit to?

We all have lives outside of design and project management — particularly if this isn’t your main business. Having someone to lean on who understands the ups and downs of kitchen and build projects has real value. Knowing where to source products, how to maximise your budget, and how to deliver within a schedule of works can be a game changer. Selecting products, choosing colour schemes, and putting mood boards together is just the tip of the iceberg.

Being prepared helps you set budgets, establish contingency plans, and stay within them. Your kitchen is one of the final stages of most build projects. Quite often, when unforeseen expenses arise earlier in the build, it’s the kitchen budget that takes the hit. Being prepared means having a “just in case” strategy — knowing where changes can be made with minimal disruption if needed.

Open communication with your builder and fellow trades is key. If you haven’t invested in a dedicated project manager, maintaining clear communication between your builder and kitchen designer is vital. Keeping your builder updated with any design changes — and your designer informed of any dimensional or structural changes on site — is essential. Pre-fit meetings, information sharing, and working in partnership can make all the difference. This applies just as much to simple kitchen replacements as it does to full renovations. Teamwork really does make the dream work — and being available and accessible matters.

Your builder will have a schedule of works and a rough kitchen installation date. This date is fluid and dependent on many factors. You need to be ready to place orders while accounting for lead times and potential delays. Decisions must be made well in advance of order placement. Depending on your chosen manufacturer, lead times can vary significantly — from as little as one week to as much as twelve. Preparation without compromise is key.

Remember, your builder is running a business and has their own timelines to manage. They will be booking projects beyond yours and need to move on site efficiently. A strong working relationship from the outset — and doing your part to keep the project moving — can mean the difference between success and stress, delays, and additional costs.

These decisions should never be rushed. Builders often request electrical and plumbing plans earlier than expected, which means appliance choices and plumbing locations must be decided in advance. Underfloor heating is another consideration — your manifold will need a home, often within the kitchen or utility, and this must be planned early. There are many technical aspects that shape the layout, flow, and functionality of your kitchen. Be ready.

This is one of the single biggest investments you’ll make in your home. Take the time to get it right. Be prepared to flex and pivot when required, stay calm, and avoid living with regret.

Too often, I see people unknowingly leaving critical decisions until the last minute because they underestimate the complexity of kitchen design. This leads to unnecessary pressure and rushed choices. Something will always crop up on a build — being organised and ready to act is the key to managing it successfully.

There are only benefits to being prepared — even positioning yourself to take advantage of sale periods while deferring delivery has its merits.

The payoff?
The satisfaction of living in your dream space, knowing that you — supported by a coordinated and committed team — brought it all together, ideally on time and on budget.

Happy renovating!