FAQs: Kitchen renovation projects

What should I expect during a kitchen renovation?

An inoperable kitchen

Firstly, you should expect that you won’t be able to use your kitchen whilst it is being renovated. This may sound obvious, but the best way to prepare is to ensure that you take out everything that you’re going to need from the kitchen.  For example, if your plan is to stay in the house and rely on takeaway food and microwave meals, make sure that you don’t pack the microwave away.  Another option is to stay with a friend or family member, stay at a hotel or even set up a tent in the garden.

A construction site

Whilst your kitchen won’t literally look like a construction site, it will most definitely display features of one.  With copious amounts of dust and the sounds of drilling, banging and in the case of knocking walls down – crashing – you will find that it’s easy to compare time spent at home to being on a building site during your kitchen renovation.

Where should I start with a kitchen renovation?

The most important place to start is with a list of exactly what you want and if you’re not sure about whether you’re choosing the right options, then make a highlighted version of the list which defines the questions you need to ask a professional about.  At this stage, it is also important to incorporate any structural changes like the moving of walls or the installation of double doors

Once you know what you want, it’s time to get in touch with a specialist kitchen renovations builder.  Firms like ours can help with anything from designing the kitchen space to your specific requirements to all aspects of project management – from sourcing the cupboards you would like at the best price to plumbing in any white goods.

What is the best order to approach a kitchen renovation?

After speaking to a specialist kitchen renovation builder about your ideal plans, you should be able to come up with an accurate budget for the kitchen renovation.  If this works out to be more than you wanted to spend, you can discuss ways to lower the price by changing materials or altering plans.

Before starting work, check whether there’s anything about the existing walls that seems insecure.  For example, is there a problem with the foundations or with mould?  If you’re planning on adding walls or attaching heavy kitchen cabinets to a wall, you will want to make sure that cracks don’t start appearing after a month or two.  Another thing to check for is asbestos, which is toxic.  It can still be found in the walls of some houses and removing it can add time and money onto your kitchen renovation project.

Once you’re prepared – with a specialist builder and project manager (this could be a building company or yourself) you will need to create a timeline with the rest of the team.  This should show what will happen and when, working towards the date that you would like the kitchen renovation to be realistically finished by.  Then, once the materials have been sourced, the kitchen renovation can get started!

How should I prepare my kitchen to be renovated?

In most instances a kitchen renovation will include the entire room being changed.  However, if there is anything in your kitchen that you wish to remain in place throughout the renovation and afterwards, it’s best to make sure that it’s well covered so that it doesn’t get damaged or covered in dust.  Everything else in your kitchen should be removed and stored elsewhere.  This includes everything from recipe books to your fridge.

How long should a kitchen renovation take?

The answer to this question will always depend on what is involved in your individual kitchen renovation.  If you’re replacing the tiles, the kitchen furniture and then painting, it could be done within a week.  If you’re also adding or removing a wall or window, making a kitchen open plan, incorporating additional structures or laying new flooring it can take anything from 2-6 weeks depending on the amount of work involved.

What is the typical return on investment for kitchen renovations?

According to co-presenter of Location, Location, Location Phil Spencer, “If you are only going to improve one room, make it the kitchen.”  There are lots of statistics around how much return on investment you can expect but a good ballpark is to anticipate a 4-6% increase to the value of your house with a stylish and well-constructed kitchen renovation. As Phil Spencer says in an article for The Telegraph: “There is no point putting a £25,000 kitchen in a £250,000 house; you won’t see your money back.”

Specialist kitchen renovation builders in Loughborough

At Abell Building Services we specialise in kitchen renovations, refurbishments and renovations.  We have a great deal of experience in project managing everything from the start to finish of a kitchen renovation project and have excellent feedback as a result of our efficiency and professionalism.

Kitchen renovation project client testimonial:

“I had Abell Building Services Ltd fit my new kitchen and windows throughout the whole house. Ryan, along with his team are very knowledgeable, professional and polite. I am extremely happy with my finished kitchen. It has been completed to a very high standard and the advice they provided about the fitting was spot on.” 

Contact Abell Building Services in Loughborough

As a Loughborough-based company, we are well positioned to deliver kitchen renovation projects at homes across Leicestershire and the East Midlands.  To contact a specialist about your kitchen renovation project today send us a message and we’ll email or call you back.