Guides and tools
Planning your kitchen
Layout, budget, order of work and how long a refit takes.
- Kitchen renovation: the order of work
The right order for a kitchen refit: measuring, ordering, strip-out, first fix, plastering, units, worktops, second fix and finishing, and why order matters.
- How to plan a kitchen layout
How to plan a kitchen layout: galley, L-shape, U-shape and island kitchens, the work triangle, zones, storage and the clearances that make a kitchen easy to use.
- How to set a kitchen budget
How to set a realistic kitchen renovation budget: every cost to include, what drives the price up or down, where to save and a contingency for surprises.
- Small kitchen ideas that work
Small kitchen ideas: smart layouts, tall and deep storage, slimline appliances, lighter colours, lighting and how to get more worktop in a small room.
Choosing units, worktops and appliances
What each option is, where it suits and what to check before you buy.
- Flat-pack vs rigid vs bespoke kitchens
Flat-pack, rigid (pre-assembled) and bespoke kitchen units compared: how they are built, who fits them, where each suits and what to check before ordering.
- Kitchen worktops compared
Kitchen worktop materials compared: laminate, solid wood, quartz, granite, solid surface and compact laminate, with care, heat and scratch notes and what to ask suppliers.
- Kitchen appliances: integrated vs freestanding
Integrated versus freestanding kitchen appliances: how they differ, sizes to check, energy labels, delivery and installation, and what the fitter needs to know.
- Kitchen lighting ideas
Kitchen lighting ideas: general, task and accent lighting, under-cabinet lights, colour temperature, dimmers and planning sockets and circuits before the plaster goes on.
- Kitchen splashbacks and tiles
Kitchen splashback options: tiles, glass, acrylic and stone, how to measure, how much extra to order, adhesive and grout choices, and what to do around the hob.
Hiring and regulations
Comparing fitter quotes, who must be qualified and what needs approval.
- How to compare kitchen fitter quotes
How to compare kitchen fitter quotes fairly: what to include in the brief, what a good itemised quote lists, payment terms, red flags and questions to ask.
- Kitchen regulations: gas, electrics and building control
What rules apply to a kitchen refit in England: Gas Safe for gas work, electrical safety and Part P, when building control and planning apply, and who to ask.
Free tools
- Kitchen budget planner
Free kitchen budget planner: enter the quotes for units, worktops, appliances, fitting and finishing, and add a contingency to see your real total.
- Worktop and splashback calculator
Free calculator: enter your worktop run lengths and depth to get the area in square metres, and add a splashback height to see how much tile or panel you need.
- Kitchen renovation checklist
A tick-off kitchen renovation checklist in the right order: plan, measure, order, strip out, first fix, units, worktops, second fix and finishing. Print it.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A straightforward like-for-like refit often takes one to two weeks once the units are on site, but moving services, plastering or flooring adds time.
Do I need planning permission for a new kitchen?
Replacing units inside a house rarely does. Structural changes need building control, and gas and electrical work has its own rules. See our regulations guide.
How do I compare kitchen fitter quotes?
Give every fitter the same written brief and ask for an itemised quote, so you compare like for like.
Some links here are affiliate links: we may earn a small fee if you buy, at no extra cost to you. We have not fitted or tested the products we mention ourselves, and prices change, so check each supplier.