A DIY kitchen reno takes time and there’s no doubt considerable savings can be made doing it the DIY way. Some customers are confused or concerned about the actual timeline for their DIY kitchen renovation, some having never done this before. It can be a stressful time and knowing what is involved and how long this will take is important.
At Smart Kitchen we believe it is important to educate DIY customers from the beginning to assist them in their kitchen journey. The following is a general DIY Kitchen Reno timeline regarding your expected timeline with Smart Kitchen . You can choose to do as little or as much as you prefer for additional savings.
Research (1 week to 2 months)
This initial phase is key to gathering your likes and dislikes. Surf the internet, gather inspiration and write a list of why you are renovating your kitchen and what you need in the new kitchen space that is lacking in the old one.
Visit showrooms to feel the quality of the products on offer, this is time well spent. It is at this point that you will also gather the type of service on offer, the guarantees they offer on their products and whether they offer a free Kitchen Design and quote service. Also, check out their approximate pricing although this should be transparent from their website.
Next as part of the research phase set a budget that you can afford and then the kitchen renovation will stay on track. As part of this budget think about any areas you can do work to save costs this will allow you some extra should you wish to upgrade your cabinets or benchtop to a slightly more expensive alternative. Always remember there may be additional costs required along the way such as extra plumbing or electrical costs etc.
Narrow down all your ideas and have a clear goal of what you most want in your kitchen space, one or two colours at the most, the type of cabinets – matte or gloss, benchtops, handles, accessories, appliances – in fact everything that you require, the rest the professional designer will look after. The kitchen designer will also be able to guide you on colour selections etc. to help you in the design phase.
Kitchen Design and Quotation (1-2 weeks depending on demand)
Having completed the kitchen research, you now need to measure your kitchen space including measurements of all existing or new windows, architraves, doorways, appliances such as fridge, oven, hotplate, rangehood, microwave etc. and any other key elements that are important for the design of your kitchen. Draw up a sketch of your proposed kitchen analysing your kitchen space.
For more detailed information Download our Design Guide on “how to measure” and cabinet range.
Next book a free in-store design appointment with a professional kitchen designer or contact your nearest showroom to make an appointment. When you book an appointment online you will receive a complete Checklist of all items to measure and what to bring along to your Kitchen Design Appointment. A free of charge final check measure is provided after you place your kitchen order.
During the kitchen Design which will take about 2 hours, you will select your final kitchen layout and materials and colours to be used for your kitchen. Our professional Kitchen Designers are experts in product and design options and will assist you all the way with your decisions. The 3D World class software will display your kitchen in “real life” to help you visualise your new kitchen space.
Should you have any other quotes it would be worthwhile to bring along to the appointment remembering our Lowest Prices Guaranteed promise – we will beat any price for the same product and service by 5%. Once confirmed you are happy with the design and price and all confirmed with your deposit, your kitchen is then put into production with our Manufacturing plant.
This process from design to lodgement normally takes about 1 to 2 weeks depending on whether you require a check measure of your job and once again depending on demand.
Production commences (2 to 6 weeks depending on demand)
Following the kitchen design and lodgement, our manufacturing will be busy making your kitchen. It is at this point you can contact the provided recommended installer who you can enlist for your kitchen renovation. They will also be able to provide any sub trades such as plumber, electrician, tiler etc. It is at this point you can decide which areas you may do yourself although we do recommend using our installers for a quicker problem-free installation. They will schedule your job including sub-trades who you require during the kitchen renovation period.
This is the time that you may also want to consider whether your old kitchen is still in good enough condition to sell off – it may be worth the extra $s!
In-Home Kitchen Installation (1 – 2 weeks)
Here is a brief outline of the kitchen installation process. Pulling out and removal of the old kitchen: 1 to 2 Days
Before your kitchen cabinets are ready you will receive a delivery date so you can prepare to take delivery. This demolition stage is noisy, dusty and disruptive so be prepared. All old cabinets and benchtops will be removed, and you will have limited access to your kitchen during this process.
Cabinet Installation with laminate benchtops: 2 to 3 days
The kitchen cabinet installation will commence, and your installer will work hand in hand with the electrician during this time. You will finally start to see the beautiful kitchen design come together!
Electrical Layout: 1 to 2 Days
At the initial stage along with the installer, the electrical groundwork will be laid out – new lights, powerpoints etc. This is where you will work with the electrician to discuss your lighting needs in your new kitchen space. The Electrician is experienced in kitchen renovations, so they will be able to guide you with any questions you have. This will take approximately one day to complete before the Electrician returns when cabinets have been installed and completed the finishing details.
Benchtop template and Installation: 7 to 20 Days
A separate specialised benchtop company will create a template from your kitchen after the cabinets are installed. The fabrication of your benchtop will take approximately 7-20 days depending on the type of stone to complete before they return to fit your benchtop, which takes about half a day.
Plumbing and Appliance Installation: 1 to 2 Days
Once all have been installed, a plumber will take 1 or 2 days to connect any plumbing and install your appliances.
Splashback 2 to 3 weeks and Tiler: 2 to 3 Days
Depending on whether you choose a splashback or tiles will depend on this stage. A splashback will take around 2 weeks whereas a tiler will take up to a day to complete after the benchtops are installed.
The final finishing touches of paint and floor if required to make your kitchen look outstanding. The painting can be done prior to the kitchen cabinets being installed but we recommend after as there will be many tradespeople including plastering in most cases that you leave it until the end and the dust has settled.
You are now ready to enjoy your DIY Kitchen with family and friends!