Kitchen renovation order: the step-by-step sequence

A kitchen renovation involves many trades in a small space. Get the order wrong and you end up with a plumber waiting on a builder, a benchtop that doesn’t fit, or a splashback that has to come off again. This guide sets out a sensible sequence and what to check at each stage.

Stage one: plan and order early

Most kitchen delays come from things ordered too late.

• Confirm the final layout and every appliance model before anything is built
• Get the appliance installation specs. Ovens, cooktops and dishwashers each have size, power and ventilation needs
• Order cabinetry early. Made-to-measure cabinets can take weeks
• Agree who supplies what: client, builder or kitchen company
• Book your trades in order, with some slack between them

For pricing the job, see how to price a kitchen renovation.

Stage two: strip out and demolition

• Disconnect power, water and gas through the right licensed trades first
• Remove the old cabinets, benchtops and appliances
• Check the walls, floor and framing once they are exposed
• Look for water damage, rot or old wiring, and talk to the client about any extra work before carrying on

If the house is older, check for asbestos before you cut or sand anything. See asbestos awareness for renovators.

Stage three: rough-in

This is the work that ends up hidden inside the walls and floor.

• Builder makes any changes to walls, openings or framing, and adds dwangs or nogs where cabinets and appliances will be fixed
• Plumber runs water and waste to the new positions
• Electrician runs circuits for the oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher, lights and power points
• Gas fitter runs gas lines if needed
• Ducting goes in for the rangehood

Mark everything on the wall or take photos with measurements before the linings go on. You will thank yourself later.

Stage four: linings and floor

• Line the walls and ceiling, then stop and sand them
• Prime and give the walls their first coats of paint where cabinets will go
• Lay the floor now if it will run under the cabinets, or protect it if it is already in

Painting before the cabinets go in is much faster than cutting in around them afterwards.

Stage five: cabinets and benchtops

• Install and level the base cabinets first, then wall and tall cabinets
• Fix everything securely into framing or dwangs
• Once the base cabinets are in, the benchtop company measures for the benchtop. Stone and some other tops are templated on site, so allow time for making
• Install the benchtop, then cut in the sink and cooktop to the manufacturer’s templates

Don’t let the benchtop be measured before the cabinets are fixed and level. A small change can mean a top that doesn’t fit.

Stage six: splashback and fit-off

• Tile or fit the splashback after the benchtop is in
• Plumber fits the sink, tapware and dishwasher
• Electrician fits the oven, cooktop, rangehood, lights and power points
• Fit handles, kickboards and end panels
• Seal around the benchtop, sink and splashback

Stage seven: finish and hand over

• Final paint touch-ups
• Clean everything thoroughly
• Test every appliance, tap and drawer
• Hand over manuals, warranties and any certificates for the electrical, plumbing and gas work

See the job handover checklist.

Keeping the trades on track

Put the sequence into a simple schedule with dates and who is doing what. Share it with every trade and the client, and update it when things move. A scheduling app like TradeFlow can hold the bookings and send reminders, so nobody turns up on the wrong day.

Quick checklist

• Layout and appliances confirmed, cabinets ordered early
• Services disconnected safely before strip-out
• Rough-in for plumbing, electrical, gas and ducting
• Photos of everything before linings go on
• Linings, stopping and first paint before cabinets
• Cabinets level and fixed before the benchtop is measured
• Splashback after the benchtop
• Fit-off, test, clean and hand over