A kitchen is the most complex room most homeowners will ever renovate — multiple trades, long material lead times, and a strict order of operations where one misstep (like ordering countertops before cabinets are in) can cost weeks. This guide lays out how to plan the project and the sequence the work should follow.
Plan the scope and layout
- Decide whether you're refreshing (paint, hardware, backsplash) or doing a full layout change. Moving plumbing, gas, or walls is a much bigger project and usually needs permits.
- Keep the work triangle (sink, stove, fridge) efficient when planning a new layout.
- Order long-lead items early — cabinets and countertops can take weeks, and appliances can be backordered.
- Set a realistic budget with contingency, and decide which steps you'll DIY versus hire out.
Order of work
- Design & measure. Finalise the layout, cabinets, counters, and appliances on paper before anything is demolished.
- Demolition. Remove old cabinets, counters, appliances, and flooring as needed.
- Rough-in. Plumbing, gas, and electrical changes happen now, while walls are open — with inspections if required.
- Drywall & paint prep. Patch and prime walls; doing most painting before cabinets go in is easier.
- Flooring. Install continuous floors (tile, hardwood) now; floating floors often go in after cabinets — check the manufacturer's guidance. Estimate with the Flooring Calculator or Tile Calculator.
- Cabinets. Install and level the boxes — everything above depends on these being right.
- Countertops. Templated to the installed cabinets, then fabricated and installed (the built-in wait).
- Backsplash. Tile the backsplash once counters are in. Get tile, thinset and grout from the Tile Calculator.
- Appliances & fixtures. Hook up the sink, faucet, dishwasher, range, and hood.
- Finishing. Final paint touch-ups, cabinet hardware, trim, and lighting.
Materials to line up
- Backsplash & floor tile — plus thinset, grout, and spacers (the Tile Calculator includes them).
- Flooring — boxes plus underlayment and transitions.
- Paint & primer — see how to paint a room for technique and the Paint Calculator for quantities.
- Cabinets, countertops, appliances, sink, faucet, lighting, and hardware.
Stay on schedule
With this many dependencies, a board beats a to-do list. Use the free kanban board — the "Kitchen Renovation" template pre-fills these tasks so you can track each trade from Planning through Quoted, In Progress, and Done.