A kitchen is the room your household uses most, so a renovation is a disruption as much as an upgrade. The best way to keep it manageable is to plan the sequence before the first cabinet comes out. This page explains how a kitchen renovation usually unfolds and what to look at when you are comparing contractors.
Refresh or rebuild
Some kitchens need a full rebuild: a new layout, new cabinets, new floors, new electrical and plumbing. Others only need a refresh, such as new counters and a backsplash on cabinets that are still good. The difference in cost and disruption is large, so it is worth deciding early which one you are doing. We have done both, including a counter and backsplash update that you can see in Our Work.
The order of the work
On a rebuild, the order matters. Demolition comes first, then any framing or structural changes, then the electrical and plumbing rough-in, then insulation and drywall, flooring and painting. Cabinets go in next, counters are measured only after the cabinets are set, and the backsplash, fixtures and final connections come last. Skipping ahead is where mistakes and delays come from, because each step depends on the one before it.
Plan for lead times
Cabinets, counters, appliances and special order tile can take weeks to arrive, and a stone or quartz counter cannot be cut until the cabinets are installed. Choosing materials early, and confirming delivery dates, protects the schedule more than anything the crew can do on site.
Electrical, plumbing and ventilation
Kitchens carry a lot of electrical load and often a lot of plumbing. New circuits, appliance hookups, gas lines and moving a sink all have to be done by qualified, licensed trades and inspected where required. A range hood should vent outdoors, and the duct route is worth planning at the start, because it can affect cabinet layout and ceilings. At Decked Out, qualified electricians, plumbers and engineers are brought in where a project needs them, and we manage the trades and the schedule.
Permits
Moving walls, changing plumbing or adding electrical circuits can require a permit in Ottawa. A swap of cabinets and counters usually does not. The City of Ottawa can confirm what your plan needs, and your contractor should tell you before you sign who is responsible for it.
Living through it
Expect dust, noise and a kitchen that does not work for a while. Many households set up a temporary kitchen with a microwave, a kettle and a small fridge in another room. A contractor who talks about this at the start tends to be one who plans the work well.
Questions to ask any contractor
What is in the written scope, and what is not? Who is doing the electrical and plumbing? Who orders the cabinets and counters, and who is responsible if something arrives wrong? How are changes priced? What is the schedule, and which parts could move it?
Ready to talk about your kitchen?
If you want a quick ballpark first, try the free online estimator, then request a detailed quote. If you would rather talk, call 613-868-3325 or send us a message. We reply within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. You can see recent jobs in Our Work, and there is a page on how homeowners usually finance a renovation.
You may also be interested in our basement and bathroom work, or the full list of services.