Kitchen refurbishment featuring gloss grey cabinetry, under-counter laundry appliances and natural light from a ceiling rooflight. This progress photograph shows the cabinet and appliance layout before the remaining finishes are completed.
About this type of work
The notes below explain this kind of work in general terms. Every home is different, so the details of a particular job depend on the property, the ground and what the owner wants.
The order a kitchen refurbishment follows
- The old kitchen is removed and any repairs to walls, floors and ceilings are made.
- First-fix work is done before anything is covered: pipework, drainage, electrical cables and any extraction.
- Walls and ceilings are finished, and the floor is laid or prepared.
- Cabinets are fitted and levelled, followed by worktops, the sink and appliances. This is the stage shown in the photograph, with the units and the integrated appliances in place and the finishes still to come.
- Second-fix work connects the taps, sockets, lights and appliances, and the room is decorated.
Points that are easy to miss
- Electrics. New circuits and some other kitchen electrical work must meet the Building Regulations and be done and certified by a competent electrician.
- Gas. Any gas pipework or appliance must be fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Ventilation. A kitchen needs a way to remove steam and cooking smells, and the work can trigger Building Regulations requirements for it.
- Light. A rooflight, as in this kitchen, brings daylight into the middle of a room. In a house, a roof window within the usual limits is often permitted development.
If the kitchen refurbishment involves removing a wall, see our guide to removing a wall: structural alterations, or read about our refurbishment service.