Kitchen remodels don’t blow budgets because of one bad choice. They fall apart because several small decisions happen in the wrong order. Finishes get locked before layouts are final. Cabinets arrive before the electrical is checked. Budget buffers get skipped. Then walls reopen, timelines stretch, and costs climb.
That is why we have written this step by step kitchen remodel guide. Here, you will learn to plan a kitchen remodel in eleven practical steps, showing what to tackle first, what follows, and what’s better left alone until later. Let’s start with step one.
Quick Answer
A step by step kitchen remodel works when you follow the right order. Start by identifying what isn’t working, then decide your budget with a little margin. Layout and infrastructure come next, followed by early cabinet orders. Flooring, appliances, and finishes come at the end.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Think About Why You Are Remodelling
Where to begin your kitchen remodel? Right here. Think about what isn’t working right now?
Maybe your storage is a mess. The lighting may make the space feel dark even during the day. Or maybe the layout forces you to walk ten steps just to make coffee. Reddit users consistently mention one regret. Rushing into design decisions before understanding daily pain points.
Write down what frustrates you during normal use. Not what looks outdated, but what slows you down. This step alone prevents expensive layout mistakes later.
At George’s Living, our remodelling recommendations are based on years of hands-on experience working with homeowners who need kitchens that function well, not just photograph nicely.
We often see homeowners skip this step and jump straight into design boards. Months later, they realise the kitchen still feels awkward to use, just newer. That regret is hard to fix once cabinets and plumbing are already in place.
Step 2: Set a Real Budget With a Reality Buffer
“How much does a new kitchen cost?” is one of the most common questions. There’s no magic number for a kitchen remodel.
The average kitchen remodel cost sits near $26,000 on paper, but real-life remodels don’t always behave that way. Scroll through homeowner discussions, and you’ll find plenty of kitchens hitting $75,000 once walls move or premium finishes get added.
In some cities, even six-figure totals are common. Budgeting early and leaving some space for unexpected expenses can help you complete a remodel without any problems. Here is the rule professionals actually use:
- Decide your max budget
- Subtract 20% immediately for surprises
- Work with what’s left
That 20% buffer covers remodels when old wiring, plumbing issues, or underfloor damage is discovered mid-project. People who ignore this buffer usually end up making rushed compromises later: cheaper hardware, delayed appliances, or unfinished details they planned to “fix someday.
Step 3: Assess Your Current Kitchen
You must have a complete picture of what you are dealing with before you consider the cabinets or flooring. Most of the DIY kitchen remodels get derailed here.
Take exact measurements of:
- Wall lengths
- Ceiling height
- Window and door placement
- Appliance clearances
Assess what you can retain as well. Plumbing and gas line relocations are a common hidden cost in kitchen remodels. We have seen a lot of homeowners learning this the hard way.
Step 4: Choose a Layout According to Your Lifestyle
Layout isn’t about trends. It’s about movement. During a complete kitchen remodelling, the layout determines whether your kitchen feels smooth or constantly in the way.
Common layouts include:
- U-shaped kitchens support serious cooking and maximum storage
- L-shaped kitchens keep things adaptable and help maintain an open flow
- Galley kitchens make sense in compact homes where every step counts
When planning for an island, don’t underestimate spacing. Tight walkways are one of the issues homeowners mention most after remodelling is finished.
Step 5: Buy Kitchen Cabinets Early
Ordering cabinets early is key to timely kitchen remodel completion. It is especially important for custom cabinets, because they have a longer production time.
Late orders can delay the remodel and increase overall expenses. It can also influence storage, movement, and the overall feel of the kitchen.
Many homeowners later regret choosing cabinets based only on appearance. Storage depth, door swing, and drawer configuration become daily frustrations once the kitchen is actually used.
For homeowners looking at reliable options, George Living kitchen cabinets are built for daily use, not just showrooms. What feels optional during planning often becomes essential once the kitchen is lived in.
Step 6: Design Electric and Lighting Before Wall Enclosures
Planning electrical and lighting changes in a kitchen remodel is crucial before the wall enclosure. Here is what it includes:
- Task lighting under cabinets
- Dedicated circuits for appliances
- Outlet placement for small appliances
- Ventilation and hood requirements
Once drywall goes up, changes become expensive. Don’t choose lights based on looks alone—make sure they actually illuminate your work surfaces where you spend the most time.
Step 7: Get the Flooring Timing Right
A kitchen floor remodel sounds straightforward, but timing often trips up many homeowners. Install it too early, and it gets damaged. Install it too late, and the appliances don’t fit properly.
Here’s the practical order most pros follow:
- Subfloor inspection and repair
- Cabinets installed first
- Flooring installed after cabinets but before appliances
Reddit users repeatedly reported regretting the poor sequencing of scratched floors and chipped tiles. Some materials wear quickly, others don’t. Porcelain tile and luxury vinyl plank are better than softer options.
These are suitable for waterproof floors and do not require careful handling. It’s one room where accidents happen regularly.
Step 8: Hire the Contractor Or Manage It Yourself
One of the biggest decision points in a complete kitchen remodelling project is whether you’re acting as your own general contractor or hiring one.
It can be cheaper to do it yourself, but it was made very clear to homeowners on Reddit. You will be organising plumbers, electricians, inspectors, the layout of cabinets and delivery instructions. One missed connection can push timelines by weeks.
When hiring a contractor, vet them. Ask:
- How many kitchen remodels have they done in the recent past?
- How are delays handled?
- What will happen when something unforeseen appears?
Watch out for large initial payments or unclear schedules. Frustration can be avoided by communicating clearly at the outset.
If you want a broader understanding of how kitchen remodelling fits into a full renovation plan, this guide from George Living renovation contractor explains the process clearly and realistically.
We work alongside renovation professionals who understand sequencing, coordination, and the real-world challenges that come up during kitchen projects.
Step 9: Plan For Delays
A common theme in remodel stories is time. People plan for a few months and end up living around construction far longer than they thought.
A delayed cabinet order here, a postponed inspection there, and suddenly the calendar looks very different. What seemed like a short project often grows into something much longer. Some say it took most of the year for everything to feel complete. Living in the house while this unfolds adds another layer to the experience.
If you’re living in the home during the remodel:
- Set up a temporary kitchen with a microwave and fridge
- Use disposable dishes to avoid washing in bathrooms
- Cook in batches or plan for takeout during peak disruption
Step 10: Appliances Come Last
Many homeowners don’t realise how rough the middle of a remodel can be. There’s dust in places you didn’t know existed, paint in the air, and constant movement. Installing appliances too early puts them at risk. Bringing them in near the end of your step by step kitchen remodel keeps them safe.
This part of the remodel feels different. The major work is complete, and now the focus is on how the kitchen will function. You don’t notice how unnecessary some appliance features are until you’re using the kitchen daily. Choosing with your habits in mind avoids that regret.
Step 11: Final Inspection
Check everything before you sign off on the project.
Open every cabinet. Turn on every light. Run water in the sink. Check outlets. Check on uneven doors, gaps and incomplete finishes.
Homeowners who did not take this step usually noticed problems weeks later and found that contractors had disappeared. This final walkthrough cushions your investment and provides leverage to address issues in real time.
Thorough final inspections are a standard professional practice to ensure quality, safety, and long-term satisfaction.
Common Kitchen Remodel Mistakes and Their Cost
Mistakes in kitchen remodels can increase overall costs and affect the functionality. The following are some of the common mistakes we have noticed after hundreds of remodels. Avoid these:
- Finalising design before understanding daily use: Results in impractical layouts that cause problems during use.
- Poor budget planning: Leads to rushed decisions, downgraded finishes, or unfinished work when costs rise.
- Ordering cabinets too late: Extends timelines by weeks or months and increases labour costs.
- Ignoring electrical and lighting planning early: Forces wall rework, adds electrician fees, and visible patch repairs.
- Installing flooring at the wrong time: Causes scratches, cracks, or appliance fit issues that require replacement.
- Trying to do everything on your own: Takes more time, risks costly mistakes, and leads to functionality issues
FAQs
What is a Realistic Budget for a Kitchen Remodel?
A realistic budget for a kitchen remodel is 10–15 per cent of the home’s value. However, the choices you make can greatly increase or decrease it.
What is the Most Expensive Part of a Kitchen Remodel?
The majority of the funds during the remodel are used for cabinets. These cost approximately 30% to 40% of the total budget, or more in some cases.
What is the Cheapest Way to Remodel a Kitchen?
The cheapest way to remodel a kitchen is to work with the existing layout. Complete the easy tasks yourself and replace only the necessary hardware.
Final Thoughts
Successful kitchen remodels follow logic, not trends. A step by step kitchen remodel keeps everything in order, including planning, ordering, and installation. It prevents problems from surfacing later.
The best next step is to pause before purchasing and confirm that all planning decisions are final. That clarity sets the tone for the entire remodel.
