Planning the Fit Out of a New Kitchen

Are you starting the decade with a brand new kitchen? Are you planning to do it yourself, or work with a kitchen designer? Perhaps a combination of the two! One of your primary concerns is to organise schedules. So how long does it take to fit a kitchen? This is clearly a rather open question; of the ‘piece of string’ variety! It will depend on the size of the room and the complexity of the fittings. And if it is part of an extension then this changes timescales once again.  So how can you make sure that you’ve set aside a long enough time to fit a kitchen?

Preparation

Be prepared to live without a kitchen. When asking how long does it take to fit a kitchen, know that the answer will be affected by your own preparation. If the refit needs to take place in stages, it will take longer overall than if you seal off the kitchen area to be dedicated to the refit. If you are working with a contractor, they can provide guidance, and even arrange, alternative kitchen facilities. So your study, utility or garage can become a fully functioning temporary kitchen.

Budgeting

A budget should not be a masterclass in minimising spend. Of course, none of us wants to feel like we are paying over the odds for a product or service. However, if something will last through the years and sustain heavy use then it’s worth spending on. Clever budgeting means setting aside the right sums for the right things. So if the cost is a concern, consider how you could make savings by repurposing cabinet structures. This way, you can make the savings that will enable your dream marble worktop to become a reality.

Scheduling

By this, we’re not talking about the schedule of the project itself. Rather, the schedule of your home. If you want to minimise the time that it takes to fit a kitchen, make sure that you schedule it wisely. So plan around big family birthdays and school holidays. This will minimise stress levels during a kitchen refit. For some, a longer period of works that runs alongside daily activity is preferable. For others, it’s better to have a shorter project which is dovetailed with removing the family from the house on holiday.

Structure

Are you changing the structure of your existing kitchen? Kitchen extensions will clearly involve structural change, but similarly, you may find your existing kitchen layout entirely impractical. For larger spaces, you may be able to add a kitchen island. This feature really revolutionises a kitchen space and shows off granite or quartz worktops wonderfully. Just remember that the more structural change that you plan, the longer it will take. However, for a kitchen that suits your habits and lifestyle, every additional hour is worth it!

Materials

At the very early stages of kitchen planning, there will be design ideas on which you will not compromise. For kitchens, this often comes down to your choice of materials. Perhaps there is a very specific marble or granite that you have set your heart on. Check whether there is an unusual lead time on these materials. Remember that these stone slabs are naturally mined and so you need to ensure that they are ordered in time to be shipped and cut by your supplier. Take advice from your supplier to ensure that you don’t experience unnecessary delays to your refit timescales.

Suppliers

When it comes to suppliers, then, do your research. Select contractors and suppliers on reputation rather than price. Personal recommendations are great, but take a look at testimonials too. Request comparative quotes, and most importantly, communicate. The more open the lines of communication between you and your contractors and suppliers, the less likely you are to experience misunderstandings which cause time delays.

So when you ask how long does it take to fit a kitchen, the answer is really down to you! Here at Zenstone, we use our experience with kitchens of all shapes and sizes to plan successful and timely installations of stone worktops.