Planning a kitchen renovation is exciting — but it’s also one of the most complex home improvement projects you’ll ever undertake. Get the planning right and the build will go smoothly. Skip steps and you risk costly mistakes, delays, and going significantly over budget. This guide walks you through the full process, step by step.

Step 1: Set a Realistic Budget

Before anything else, decide how much you can realistically spend — not how much you’d like to spend. A good rule of thumb is that your kitchen should cost no more than 5–10% of your home’s value. For a £350,000 home, that’s £17,500–£35,000 for a well-specified kitchen that will add value.

Always hold back a 10–15% contingency fund. Kitchen renovations almost always throw up surprises — old pipe work, asbestos floor tiles, structural issues — and having contingency means you won’t need to stop the job midway through.

Step 2: Decide What You’re Keeping and What’s Going

Not every renovation needs to be a full strip-out. Consider:

• Full replacement: Everything goes — units, worktops, appliances, flooring, sometimes walls
• Partial renovation: Keep the carcasses, replace just the doors and worktops (can save 40–60% on costs)
• Refresh: New worktops, new handles, a fresh coat of paint — ideal if the layout and units are still in good condition

If your existing units are solid and well-positioned, a door swap and new worktop can transform the room for £2,000–£5,000 instead of £15,000+.

Step 3: Measure Up Accurately

Measure your kitchen at least twice before doing anything else. You’ll need:

• Overall room dimensions (width × length × height)
• Position and size of all windows and doors
• Location of existing plumbing points (sink, washing machine, dishwasher)
• Location of existing gas supply and boiler
• Position of existing electrical sockets and fuse board
• Any alcoves, chimney breasts, or uneven walls

Most kitchen retailers offer a free planning and measuring service. Use at least two — different designers will spot different things. IKEA, Howdens, Wren, Magnet, and Benchmarx all offer this.

Step 4: Think About the Layout

The layout is the single most important decision in a kitchen renovation. The main options are:

The Work Triangle

The classic design principle — keep the sink, hob, and fridge within easy reach of each other. In a well-designed kitchen, you shouldn’t need to walk more than a few steps between these three key points. Don’t let a designer put your hob at one end and the sink at the other.

Common Kitchen Layouts

• Galley: Two parallel runs of units — highly efficient, great for narrow rooms
• L-shape: Units on two adjacent walls — flexible and works in most room sizes
• U-shape: Three walls of units — maximum storage, ideal for larger kitchens
• Island: A central unit adding prep space, storage, and often seating — requires at least 3.5m width with island in place
• Peninsula: Like an island but attached at one end — works in slightly smaller spaces

Step 5: Choose Your Kitchen Supplier

This is where budget plays a big role. The main tiers in the UK market:

• Budget (under £5,000 supply): IKEA, B&Q, Wickes, Homebase
• Mid-range (£5,000–£15,000 supply): Howdens, Wren, Magnet, Benchmarx, Kutchenhaus
• Premium (£15,000–£30,000 supply): Masterclass, John Lewis, Schuller, Nolte
• Luxury/Bespoke (£30,000+ supply): Smallbone, Tom Howley, Plain English, local bespoke makers

Note that Howdens is trade-only — you’ll need your fitter to order through them, which keeps their prices competitive. Many experienced fitters work primarily with Howdens for this reason.

Step 6: Find a Good Fitter

Your fitter will make or break the job. A poor fitter can ruin even the most expensive kitchen; a great fitter can make a budget kitchen look premium. Here’s how to find a good one:

• Ask friends, family, and neighbours for personal recommendations
• Post in local Facebook groups or our Kitchen Design Ideas UK group to find recommendations from people nearby
• Check reviews on Checkatrade, Rated People, or TrustMark
• Always ask to see photos of previous installations
• Get at least three written quotes before deciding

Step 7: Plan the Timeline

A typical kitchen installation runs like this:

• Week 1: Strip out old kitchen, first fix electrics and plumbing
• Week 2: Unit installation, worktop template
• Week 3: Worktop delivery and fit, appliance installation, tiling
• Week 4: Second fix electrics and plumbing, snagging, decoration

Plan for at least 4 weeks without a fully functioning kitchen, possibly 6–8 weeks if there’s structural work involved. Set up a temporary kitchen with a microwave, kettle, and toaster in another room — it makes the process significantly more bearable.

Step 8: Don’t Forget Building Regulations

Most kitchen renovations don’t require planning permission unless you’re changing the external appearance of the property. However, certain works do require building regulations approval:

• Any electrical work beyond like-for-like replacement (Part P — your electrician should certify this)
• Gas work (must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer)
• Structural changes such as removing walls

Always ask your fitter and trades to provide relevant certificates on completion. You’ll need them if you ever sell the property.

Planning your kitchen and want a second opinion on your layout or design? Share your plans in our Facebook community — our members are full of practical advice.