How to Draw Up a Timetable for Your Kitchen Renovation
Follow this expert advice so you can schedule key dates and make your project as stress-free as possible
Sarah Alcroft
23 November 2020
Houzz UK Editorial Team
Planning to extend or revamp your kitchen, but not sure what you need to get in place ahead of time, how long a kitchen renovation might take, and where you’ll cook in the meantime? As part of our Kitchen Planning guide, three professionals suggest things to consider, so you’re prepared for what’s to come, understand what order to renovate your kitchen and can avoid major surprises.
Professional advice from: Kieran Hawkins of Cairn; Cat Hoad of Absolute Project Management; Simon Lennox of Adornas Kitchens & Interiors
Beginning your kitchen project? Read How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
Professional advice from: Kieran Hawkins of Cairn; Cat Hoad of Absolute Project Management; Simon Lennox of Adornas Kitchens & Interiors
Beginning your kitchen project? Read How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
Take the time to think about what you want in your kitchen
For the best chance of sticking to a timetable (and budget) for your kitchen renovation, make sure everything has been designed thoroughly before work starts on site, Kieran Hawkins advises. “Don’t rush to begin,” he says, as it costs a lot more, in both time and money, to change your mind after construction work has started.
Cat Hoad suggests you assess which items are must-haves and research all the options, so you’re ready with your choices. “There’s a huge range of appliances, so make sure you’ve listed exactly which are important to you,” she says. “If a steam oven is fundamental to how you cook, for instance, price for that, whereas if you rarely put anything into the oven, an expensive model probably isn’t needed.”
Also consider the huge range of styles, materials and prices for worktops, splashbacks, lighting and flooring, she adds.
For the best chance of sticking to a timetable (and budget) for your kitchen renovation, make sure everything has been designed thoroughly before work starts on site, Kieran Hawkins advises. “Don’t rush to begin,” he says, as it costs a lot more, in both time and money, to change your mind after construction work has started.
Cat Hoad suggests you assess which items are must-haves and research all the options, so you’re ready with your choices. “There’s a huge range of appliances, so make sure you’ve listed exactly which are important to you,” she says. “If a steam oven is fundamental to how you cook, for instance, price for that, whereas if you rarely put anything into the oven, an expensive model probably isn’t needed.”
Also consider the huge range of styles, materials and prices for worktops, splashbacks, lighting and flooring, she adds.
Decide how important a speedy result is to you
“Discuss the cost/time/quality triangle with your designer,” Kieran says. “You can usually have two of these, but not all three. So your project might be high-quality and fast, but it will be expensive. Or it might be fast and low-cost, but then it’s unlikely to be high-quality.”
More: How a Kitchen Designer Can Keep Your Project On Schedule and On Budget
“Discuss the cost/time/quality triangle with your designer,” Kieran says. “You can usually have two of these, but not all three. So your project might be high-quality and fast, but it will be expensive. Or it might be fast and low-cost, but then it’s unlikely to be high-quality.”
More: How a Kitchen Designer Can Keep Your Project On Schedule and On Budget
Establish how long the preparation work will take
“Bear in mind the time taken to actually fit the kitchen is separate to that of preparing the space for the units – making sure the electrics, plumbing and drainage are in exactly the right places and so on,” Cat says.
“Ask your professional to confirm, realistically, how long the planning phase will take, and any factors that may affect this,” she says. “That could include the lead time for kitchen cabinetry – bespoke kitchens often have lead times of eight to 12 weeks, more in particularly busy seasons.
“Be upfront with them about any key dates you need it done by, too,” she adds. “That said, be realistic yourself, and flexible – despite what the TV adverts might say, if you decide on 1 December that you want a new kitchen for Christmas, it’s not going to happen!”
“It’s important building contractors are tied down to a schedule of works, and you should always have a forecasted finish date in mind,” Simon Lennox says. “It’s almost inevitable there will be things that delay the project, but there shouldn’t be many massive surprises.”
“Bear in mind the time taken to actually fit the kitchen is separate to that of preparing the space for the units – making sure the electrics, plumbing and drainage are in exactly the right places and so on,” Cat says.
“Ask your professional to confirm, realistically, how long the planning phase will take, and any factors that may affect this,” she says. “That could include the lead time for kitchen cabinetry – bespoke kitchens often have lead times of eight to 12 weeks, more in particularly busy seasons.
“Be upfront with them about any key dates you need it done by, too,” she adds. “That said, be realistic yourself, and flexible – despite what the TV adverts might say, if you decide on 1 December that you want a new kitchen for Christmas, it’s not going to happen!”
“It’s important building contractors are tied down to a schedule of works, and you should always have a forecasted finish date in mind,” Simon Lennox says. “It’s almost inevitable there will be things that delay the project, but there shouldn’t be many massive surprises.”
Note by when you’ll need to have chosen the items your professional is buying
Typically, your professional will order most of the elements needed for the project, though you may decide to order some yourself (more on this below).
“[Noting these dates] is crucial, so that every single item is chosen (and costed) in advance,” Cat says, “and you aren’t trying to decide on door handles at 11pm the night before they’re needed on site, nor that you realise at the last minute the door handles you’ve chosen are £50 each and you need 18 of them…
“List all the things you’ll need to choose, from paint colours and tiles to the worktop and tap, but also details such as the pattern the splashback tiles are to be fitted in and the grout colour to be used.”
“Be clear from the start who is ordering what,” Kieran advises. “If the contractor orders items, it keeps the liability in one place, which is often extremely useful in future. They will put a management percentage on top of the cost, but this reduces risk a lot.
“Try to finalise all design decisions at least a month before work begins,” he continues. “Decide the flooring first, as it has a lot of knock-on implications, such as the depth of excavation and drainage. Paint colours can usually be decided last, but be clear which wall areas will be tiled, as the substrate construction may need to be different.
“Don’t underestimate how long it can take to decide on lighting and electrical plans,” he adds. “These often take several revisions and need to be finalised before the first fix.”
Typically, your professional will order most of the elements needed for the project, though you may decide to order some yourself (more on this below).
“[Noting these dates] is crucial, so that every single item is chosen (and costed) in advance,” Cat says, “and you aren’t trying to decide on door handles at 11pm the night before they’re needed on site, nor that you realise at the last minute the door handles you’ve chosen are £50 each and you need 18 of them…
“List all the things you’ll need to choose, from paint colours and tiles to the worktop and tap, but also details such as the pattern the splashback tiles are to be fitted in and the grout colour to be used.”
“Be clear from the start who is ordering what,” Kieran advises. “If the contractor orders items, it keeps the liability in one place, which is often extremely useful in future. They will put a management percentage on top of the cost, but this reduces risk a lot.
“Try to finalise all design decisions at least a month before work begins,” he continues. “Decide the flooring first, as it has a lot of knock-on implications, such as the depth of excavation and drainage. Paint colours can usually be decided last, but be clear which wall areas will be tiled, as the substrate construction may need to be different.
“Don’t underestimate how long it can take to decide on lighting and electrical plans,” he adds. “These often take several revisions and need to be finalised before the first fix.”
Ask when key products you may be ordering will need to arrive and draw up a schedule
“If you order items direct, make sure you’re very clear when they’re required,” Kieran says. “Allow for delays in delivery, because if a client-supply item is late and that delays the overall project, the contractor is entitled to claim for more money to cover the extra time. Draw up a timetable with your designer of when decisions and sign-offs are required.”
“[A timetable] is very important,” Cat agrees. “As a general rule, flooring will be required at an early stage, as often cabinetry sits ‘on’ it. On the other hand, delicate items, such as lighting, should come to site at the last minute to avoid accidental damage during storage.
“Usually, the contractor will have enough information to prepare [for lighting] if you give them the technical spec, including the size, weight (in case the ceiling needs to be reinforced), any particular cabling requirements, and details of the switching to be used (ie, whether there are any dimmers and, if so, ensuring the correct modules are fitted),” she says.
“If you order items direct, make sure you’re very clear when they’re required,” Kieran says. “Allow for delays in delivery, because if a client-supply item is late and that delays the overall project, the contractor is entitled to claim for more money to cover the extra time. Draw up a timetable with your designer of when decisions and sign-offs are required.”
“[A timetable] is very important,” Cat agrees. “As a general rule, flooring will be required at an early stage, as often cabinetry sits ‘on’ it. On the other hand, delicate items, such as lighting, should come to site at the last minute to avoid accidental damage during storage.
“Usually, the contractor will have enough information to prepare [for lighting] if you give them the technical spec, including the size, weight (in case the ceiling needs to be reinforced), any particular cabling requirements, and details of the switching to be used (ie, whether there are any dimmers and, if so, ensuring the correct modules are fitted),” she says.
Add ‘contingency time’ onto your schedule for any unforeseen issues
Over-run should be factored in, our experts agree. “[This applies] especially if it’s an older house or somewhere that hasn’t been renovated for a while,” Cat says. “Even the best-planned project can’t predict accurately what you’re going to find behind some old plaster or under an old floor. Sometimes, what you find can even be a good thing – a hidden fireplace, for instance.”
“Expect a month of over-run, to allow for unforeseen events,” Kieran agrees. In other words, “Don’t plan a big dinner party for the day after the projected completion date!”
Thinking of renovating? See projects and read reviews for home renovation professionals in your area on Houzz.
Over-run should be factored in, our experts agree. “[This applies] especially if it’s an older house or somewhere that hasn’t been renovated for a while,” Cat says. “Even the best-planned project can’t predict accurately what you’re going to find behind some old plaster or under an old floor. Sometimes, what you find can even be a good thing – a hidden fireplace, for instance.”
“Expect a month of over-run, to allow for unforeseen events,” Kieran agrees. In other words, “Don’t plan a big dinner party for the day after the projected completion date!”
Thinking of renovating? See projects and read reviews for home renovation professionals in your area on Houzz.
Allow one to two weeks for the actual fitting
Once the space is prepared, the actual fitting can be fairly quick. “Generally, kitchens are installed in less than a week, depending on the size, with an average-sized kitchen taking between three and four days,” Simon says.
“The kitchen can be fitted either before or after the flooring has gone down, but kitchen installers often prefer the flooring to be fitted first,” he continues. “This means you’ll use a little more flooring, but it also means you save time, as the flooring can be fitted while the kitchen is being manufactured.
“If you opt for quartz or granite work surfaces, you’ll need to allow at least another week for them to be templated and installed,” he adds, “as the fabricator can only visit when the base cabinets have been installed.”
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
Once the space is prepared, the actual fitting can be fairly quick. “Generally, kitchens are installed in less than a week, depending on the size, with an average-sized kitchen taking between three and four days,” Simon says.
“The kitchen can be fitted either before or after the flooring has gone down, but kitchen installers often prefer the flooring to be fitted first,” he continues. “This means you’ll use a little more flooring, but it also means you save time, as the flooring can be fitted while the kitchen is being manufactured.
“If you opt for quartz or granite work surfaces, you’ll need to allow at least another week for them to be templated and installed,” he adds, “as the fabricator can only visit when the base cabinets have been installed.”
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
Think about where you’ll cook while your kitchen is out of action
“One really important consideration is how long you’ll be without a useable kitchen,” Simon says. “Depending on the size of the project, this could be anything from a few days to many weeks.”
So work out early on where you’ll prepare food, whether that’s in a makeshift space or temporary accommodation.
“Moving out of the house can usually speed up the process considerably,” Kieran says. “The less time the contractor is on site, the cheaper it will be, so often the reduced construction cost will balance the cost of temporary accommodation. Moving out will also reduce the stress hugely, especially if you have children.
“If you can’t move out, though, then plan a temporary kitchen early in the process,” he advises. “The contractor might need to help you install power and plumbing.”
A kettle and a microwave might cut it, but if you want a slightly better set-up, consider a mini-kitchen. “Ikea does fairly inexpensive ones that consist of a sink, fridge and worksurface,” Cat says. “It just needs incoming water, somewhere to drain to, and an electrical supply – this plus a microwave will be enough for some people.”
“A temporary kitchen could also be made up of some of the original kitchen cabinets and appliances,” Simon adds.
“One really important consideration is how long you’ll be without a useable kitchen,” Simon says. “Depending on the size of the project, this could be anything from a few days to many weeks.”
So work out early on where you’ll prepare food, whether that’s in a makeshift space or temporary accommodation.
“Moving out of the house can usually speed up the process considerably,” Kieran says. “The less time the contractor is on site, the cheaper it will be, so often the reduced construction cost will balance the cost of temporary accommodation. Moving out will also reduce the stress hugely, especially if you have children.
“If you can’t move out, though, then plan a temporary kitchen early in the process,” he advises. “The contractor might need to help you install power and plumbing.”
A kettle and a microwave might cut it, but if you want a slightly better set-up, consider a mini-kitchen. “Ikea does fairly inexpensive ones that consist of a sink, fridge and worksurface,” Cat says. “It just needs incoming water, somewhere to drain to, and an electrical supply – this plus a microwave will be enough for some people.”
“A temporary kitchen could also be made up of some of the original kitchen cabinets and appliances,” Simon adds.
Get your finances in place
Discuss how the budget will be divided and what you’ll be expected to pay when, so that unexpected cashflow issues don’t slow the project down.
Simon sets out the general payment terms. “Most companies work on a 50/40/10% basis,” he says. “This is 50% deposit when the order is placed; 40% interim payment on the day/week of fit, and 10% payment when the project is completed.”
“Always keep 10% contingency budget aside,” Kieran adds. “Hopefully, this won’t be needed and can be used on a treat after the project is finished. Usually, though, it is needed. The budget should never be the most you can possibly afford to spend.”
Discuss how the budget will be divided and what you’ll be expected to pay when, so that unexpected cashflow issues don’t slow the project down.
Simon sets out the general payment terms. “Most companies work on a 50/40/10% basis,” he says. “This is 50% deposit when the order is placed; 40% interim payment on the day/week of fit, and 10% payment when the project is completed.”
“Always keep 10% contingency budget aside,” Kieran adds. “Hopefully, this won’t be needed and can be used on a treat after the project is finished. Usually, though, it is needed. The budget should never be the most you can possibly afford to spend.”
Schedule times to talk
It’s worth having key meetings marked on your calendar, so discuss how often you’re likely to need these with your professional. “During works, there will probably be formal site meetings weekly or fortnightly,” Kieran says. “It’s worth inspecting every day or two, though, and taking lots of photos, particularly of things that will be covered up, such as pipework.”
Cat adds, “The better planned the kitchen, the less you’ll need to be around, but it’s useful to be available at various points to confirm positions or if there are any unexpected site conditions discovered.”
This is where it can be helpful if your designer uses a management system, such as Houzz Pro, as they can easily schedule video meetings and share progress with you at any stage of the project.
It’s worth having key meetings marked on your calendar, so discuss how often you’re likely to need these with your professional. “During works, there will probably be formal site meetings weekly or fortnightly,” Kieran says. “It’s worth inspecting every day or two, though, and taking lots of photos, particularly of things that will be covered up, such as pipework.”
Cat adds, “The better planned the kitchen, the less you’ll need to be around, but it’s useful to be available at various points to confirm positions or if there are any unexpected site conditions discovered.”
This is where it can be helpful if your designer uses a management system, such as Houzz Pro, as they can easily schedule video meetings and share progress with you at any stage of the project.
Make sure you have the correct insurance in place
It pays to think carefully about the type of insurance you need ahead of time, to avoid any issues that could delay your renovation timeline. “Organise [your] insurance well in advance,” Kieran says. “Get a quote early and factor this cost into the overall budget.”
Your insurance needs will vary depending on whether you will still be living in the property and how major the work is. For instance, if you’re making structural changes, you will need home renovation insurance.
“Check you have the right home insurance in place to cover any hiccups,” Cat says. “Notify your insurers about the planned work to ensure it’s covered by your policy and you’ve supplied any additional info they need.”
“Organise [your] insurance well in advance,” Kieran says. “Get a quote early and factor this cost into the overall budget.”
Tell us…
Have you found this advice useful? If you’ve been through a renovation, do you have any tips for drawing up a timetable? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
It pays to think carefully about the type of insurance you need ahead of time, to avoid any issues that could delay your renovation timeline. “Organise [your] insurance well in advance,” Kieran says. “Get a quote early and factor this cost into the overall budget.”
Your insurance needs will vary depending on whether you will still be living in the property and how major the work is. For instance, if you’re making structural changes, you will need home renovation insurance.
“Check you have the right home insurance in place to cover any hiccups,” Cat says. “Notify your insurers about the planned work to ensure it’s covered by your policy and you’ve supplied any additional info they need.”
“Organise [your] insurance well in advance,” Kieran says. “Get a quote early and factor this cost into the overall budget.”
Tell us…
Have you found this advice useful? If you’ve been through a renovation, do you have any tips for drawing up a timetable? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Completely agree with the well worded advice around the quality, speed and cost aspects - they all reflect each other.
Also ensuring all decisions are made and stuck with makes for a good result.
Our advice:
I agree, very useful tips here. Also, apart from a microwave lots of people have a slow cooker, so that would present more options between kitchens and my mum lent me her halogen oven so that I could have bacon, sausages, chops or even a joint. Don't forget the barbecue outside - you don't need to sit in the freezing cold, just cook delicious food to eat indoors.
My kitchen doesn't have a sink yet, so I ensured the new cloakroom was spotless and deep clean, instructed folks that the bathroom is upstairs only, the cloakroom is a scullery only. I use a large plastic jug to fill a big floppy plastic container, used as a washing up bowl perched on the loo. A small table with oven tray on top is a draining board, the washing up water can be flushed down the loo. The tiny sink is used as a kitchen sink; filling kettle, etc. So far, so good.
I am planning my kitchen-diner renovation and from what I remember from my last kitchen re-fit, it's a good idea to eat through your store cupboard food in the weeks before you start. There are lots of things to pack up in a kitchen so packing tins, packets and jars of food will only add to the job. Empty the freezer too if you don't have a spare where you can keep pre-prepared foods that you can microwave during the works. I am also planning a cull of all of the extra utensils, baking trays and general detritus that I've gathered over the years and will get a new set of baking and roasting trays that fit inside each other so they take up less room in my new cupboards.