Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations: How to Plan Your Project
How to plan a kitchen, bathroom or full renovation: scope room by room, the right order of works, what drives cost and how to compare quotes.
Most renovation problems start before anyone picks up a tool. An unclear scope leads to surprise costs, delays and arguments about what was included. Whether you are refitting a bathroom, installing a new kitchen or refurbishing a whole property, a clear plan is what keeps the job on time and on budget.
The quick answer
- Write the scope room by room, listing what stays, what is replaced and what moves
- Layout changes and hidden problems affect cost far more than tiles or taps
- Gas, electrical and some plumbing work must be done by qualified or registered trades
- Agree who supplies each item, and when, before booking a start date
- Keep a contingency of around 10 to 15 percent for problems found once walls and floors are opened
Bathroom refurbishment: what the scope can include
- Strip-out and disposal of the old suite and tiles
- Plumbing alterations and new supply and waste positions
- Wall preparation, boarding and waterproofing, especially around showers
- Tiling or wall panels
- Sanitaryware, taps, shower and screen
- Ventilation, which is essential to prevent condensation and mould
- Lighting and electrics, by a qualified electrician
- Flooring, boxing-in, sealing and decoration
Send photos, rough dimensions, what you want to keep or replace and any layout changes.
Kitchen installation: what the scope can include
- Removal of the old kitchen and making good
- Units, worktops, upstands and splashbacks
- Sink, tap and appliance connections
- Gas hob or cooker connection, by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- New sockets, lighting and circuits, by a qualified electrician
- Flooring, tiling and decoration
If you are supplying the kitchen, send the supplier's plan and item list, and check the delivery is complete before fitting is booked.
Full property refurbishment
List each room separately, then list shared work such as rewiring, plumbing upgrades, doors, skirting, flooring and decoration. This avoids gaps where each person assumed someone else was handling something.
The right order of works
- Survey, scope and agreed quotation
- Strip-out and any structural or building work
- First fix: pipes, cables and boxing before walls are closed
- Plastering and boarding
- Second fix: kitchen units, sanitaryware, sockets and switches
- Tiling and flooring
- Decoration
- Snagging and final clean
Doing things out of order, such as decorating before second-fix electrics, means work gets damaged and repeated.
What really drives the cost
| Factor | Lower cost | Higher cost |
| Layout | Same positions | Moving sink, toilet, shower or hob |
| Walls and floors | Sound and level | Damaged, uneven or rotten |
| Finishes | Standard tiles and panels | Large-format or complex tiling |
| Services | Existing supplies adequate | New circuits, pipe runs or boiler work |
| Supply | Contractor sources trade items | Late or incomplete customer deliveries |
Regulated work
Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and notifiable electrical work by a qualified electrician who can certify it. Some bathroom and kitchen changes also fall under building regulations, for example new ventilation or drainage. Make sure your quote says who is responsible for these and what certificates you will receive.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Exactly what is included and excluded?
- Who supplies each item, and who checks deliveries?
- What happens if hidden problems are found?
- How will changes be priced and agreed?
- What are the payment stages?
- Who is your contact on site?
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bathroom refit take?
A straightforward bathroom refit often takes one to two weeks. Layout changes, tiling complexity and waiting for specialist trades can extend that.
How long does a kitchen installation take?
A typical kitchen takes one to three weeks, depending on size, worktops, electrics and whether templated stone worktops are involved.
Can I supply my own kitchen or bathroom suite?
Yes. Agree in advance who checks the delivery, and what happens if items are missing or damaged.
Do I need planning permission for a new kitchen or bathroom?
Usually not for internal work in a house, but building regulations may apply, and flats or listed buildings can have extra rules. See our planning permission guide.
Can I stay in the house during the work?
Often, yes. Plan for a period without a working kitchen or bathroom and agree how essential facilities will be kept available.
Plan your project with us
The Local Handyman London Ltd fits kitchens and bathrooms and carries out full refurbishments for homeowners, landlords and commercial clients across Ealing, Greenford, Acton, Hanwell and West London. Send your postcode, photos, rough dimensions, any plans and your target timing.
Related guides
- Painting and decorating guide
- Carpet, LVT or laminate?
- All our property services
- How to reseal a bath or shower
- How to fix a dripping tap
- Bathroom renovation costs
- Replacing kitchen worktops
Prefer to talk? Call 07444 262522.