Kitchen renovation

Layout changes, cabinets, counters, plumbing and electrical, done in a planned order.

A kitchen renovation starts with the layout. Keeping the sink, range and fridge where they are keeps the cost down. Moving them means new plumbing, new circuits and often a permit.

Removing a wall to open the kitchen to the dining room is common in Nepean and Orléans houses. If the wall is load-bearing, a beam is sized by an engineer or a qualified designer and a building permit is needed before the wall comes out.

The work runs in order: demolition, rough plumbing and electrical, inspections, drywall, flooring, cabinets, templating and installing counters, then the backsplash and fixtures. Expect six to ten weeks for a full kitchen once work starts, with the counters taking one to two weeks from template to install.

Plan where you will cook while the kitchen is out. A temporary sink and a plug-in cooktop in the basement or dining room makes the weeks easier.