🏠 Buying & Renovating
The Right Order of Work for a Kitchen Renovation
Doing kitchen jobs in the wrong order means tearing out finished work. This is the sequence most contractors follow.
Marcus Ibe · Oct 15, 2026 · 4 min read · 6 steps
A kitchen renovation involves more trades than almost any other room: demolition, plumbing, electrics, plastering, cabinetry, worktops, tiling, and decorating. Get the sequence wrong and you can end up paying twice.
Whether you are managing the project yourself or checking a contractor's schedule, this order keeps rework to a minimum.
1. Plan and order long-lead items
Finalise the layout and order cabinets and appliances before demolition starts. Cabinet delivery times can run to several weeks, and having appliance dimensions confirmed lets the electrician and plumber place connections precisely.
2. Strip out
Remove units, worktops, appliances, and any flooring or wall coverings that are being replaced. This is the moment hidden problems appear, such as rot, old wiring, or damaged pipework, so keep a contingency in the budget.
3. First fix: services in the walls
Plumbers, electricians, and gas engineers run new pipes and cables while walls are open. This is also when ventilation ducting goes in for the extractor hood.
4. Walls, ceiling, and floor
- Plaster or board walls and ceilings
- Lay the floor before the cabinets if it runs under them, or protect it carefully
- Apply a mist coat of paint while there is easy access
5. Fit cabinets and templates
Base units go in first, then wall units. Stone and quartz worktops are usually templated after the base units are fixed, then fabricated, which can take a week or two.
6. Second fix and finishes
Worktops go on, then the plumber connects the sink and taps, the electrician fits sockets and lights, and appliances are installed. Tiling the splashback, final decoration, and sealing come last.
This is general home-maintenance information, not professional advice. Building codes, permits, and safe practices vary by location — consult a licensed contractor, electrician, or plumber for work beyond your experience.