How to Map Out Your Kitchen Renovation’s Scope of Work
Prevent budget and 'scope creep' by determining the extent of your project and find the right pros for your kitchen reno
When you’re planning a kitchen renovation, an important early step is to determine your project’s scope of work. Here, you can find out what a scope of work is and how you can decide what yours will be, then find the right pros for your project.
Consider the details of your kitchen renovation
- Are you revamping your kitchen within the existing footprint, adding square metreage or moving its location in your home entirely?
- Do you want to relocate the sink, dishwasher or stove, which would mean moving the plumbing or, potentially, gas lines?
- Are you planning on opening up the kitchen to another room? If this affects a load-bearing wall, it might require structural work and additional costs.
- With new construction, you might have heard prices referred to as the cost per square metre, but this formula does not always work with renovating. Every home has unique conditions due to age, construction type and layout.
- Getting detailed pricing information upfront will help you meet your budget.
Determine your scope of work
1. Set a rough budget for the project
Consider if the work will involve related projects, such as new windows or painting the whole house.
2. Write a wish list of everything you want
Include new appliances, cabinets, benchtops, tiles or splashbacks, flooring, lighting and so on. The more detailed you are, the better off you’ll be when talking to professionals. Do you want professional-grade appliances, for instance, or is the next level down sufficient?
3. Create Ideabooks showing your vision
This can help a professional get an idea of the level of expectation and finish detail required in your project. It’s challenging to communicate needs clearly, especially about visual elements such as finishes. Showing professionals photos of kitchen designs you like can help them to see your preferred aesthetic and prompt them to ask the right questions.
1. Set a rough budget for the project
Consider if the work will involve related projects, such as new windows or painting the whole house.
2. Write a wish list of everything you want
Include new appliances, cabinets, benchtops, tiles or splashbacks, flooring, lighting and so on. The more detailed you are, the better off you’ll be when talking to professionals. Do you want professional-grade appliances, for instance, or is the next level down sufficient?
3. Create Ideabooks showing your vision
This can help a professional get an idea of the level of expectation and finish detail required in your project. It’s challenging to communicate needs clearly, especially about visual elements such as finishes. Showing professionals photos of kitchen designs you like can help them to see your preferred aesthetic and prompt them to ask the right questions.
Find professionals for your project
1. Research the right pros for your project
Look at Houzz profiles of the different types of professionals you want for your job. You may need an architect, a kitchen designer, a building designer, a cabinetmaker or joiner, or an interior designer.
See how they describe their work and look at their projects to see if their aesthetic matches your own. Read the reviews on their profiles to see what past clients say about their work. Next, contact pros you like, set up phone interviews and see if they’ll meet in person. Ask if you can visit job sites or other projects too; this will help you see the quality of their work.
1. Research the right pros for your project
Look at Houzz profiles of the different types of professionals you want for your job. You may need an architect, a kitchen designer, a building designer, a cabinetmaker or joiner, or an interior designer.
See how they describe their work and look at their projects to see if their aesthetic matches your own. Read the reviews on their profiles to see what past clients say about their work. Next, contact pros you like, set up phone interviews and see if they’ll meet in person. Ask if you can visit job sites or other projects too; this will help you see the quality of their work.
2. Check references and ask about fees
Some homeowners start by hiring a builder, and others start with a designer or architect and use the trades and sub-contractors referred by him or her. Others hire building design firms that cover everything in-house. You are not comparing like for like here, so it will take some time to figure out who is the right fit for your kitchen renovation.
Browse more beautifully designed Australian kitchens
Some homeowners start by hiring a builder, and others start with a designer or architect and use the trades and sub-contractors referred by him or her. Others hire building design firms that cover everything in-house. You are not comparing like for like here, so it will take some time to figure out who is the right fit for your kitchen renovation.
Browse more beautifully designed Australian kitchens
3. Meet the pros at your home or virtually
Start seeing who you like, who asks the right questions, who is willing to give you some rough numbers, and what he or she needs in order to do so. Some firms or individuals don’t work this way – they might have showrooms and want you to meet them on their turf.
Pros who offer video consultations through Houzz may list this service on their Houzz profile, in which case you can schedule a meeting with them directly from their Houzz profile or directory listing.
Start seeing who you like, who asks the right questions, who is willing to give you some rough numbers, and what he or she needs in order to do so. Some firms or individuals don’t work this way – they might have showrooms and want you to meet them on their turf.
Pros who offer video consultations through Houzz may list this service on their Houzz profile, in which case you can schedule a meeting with them directly from their Houzz profile or directory listing.
Many builders want a full drawing set before they’ll bid on a job. Others will be willing to do a walk-through and give you some rough numbers, nothing line-itemed or detailed. I recommend doing this with an experienced builder; a novice may underestimate or overshoot the budget by a wide range. Ideally, having some basic space, electrical, mechanical and lighting plans will help a builder get you a more accurate estimate.
This is only the first phase of pricing. You’ll want to re-estimate based on detailed, finished plans before signing a contract. Otherwise, you run the risk of having to get variations or change orders down the road, which can be pricey.
This is only the first phase of pricing. You’ll want to re-estimate based on detailed, finished plans before signing a contract. Otherwise, you run the risk of having to get variations or change orders down the road, which can be pricey.
Your turn
How did you go about finding the right team of pros to design and renovate your kitchen? Share your tips in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the renovation conversation.
More
Need more practical advice on kitchen renovations? We’ve got you covered with this Renovating Timeline: When to Choose Kitchen Fixtures and Finishes
How did you go about finding the right team of pros to design and renovate your kitchen? Share your tips in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the renovation conversation.
More
Need more practical advice on kitchen renovations? We’ve got you covered with this Renovating Timeline: When to Choose Kitchen Fixtures and Finishes
Scope of work is the term used to describe the basic parameters of a project. You decide the scope of work based on your budget and wish list, among other things.
A designer, architect or builder you like and trust can help you develop your scope of work and be realistic about what you can achieve within your budget. Keep in mind that, usually, there isn’t just one right answer, so getting a few opinions is a good idea.
Ready to revamp your kitchen? Find local kitchen designers on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients