Reno Insights: Don't Rush It! Why Kitchen Planning Takes so Long
Preparing to renovate can take up to four times as long as building, but it's crucial for a good result – here's why
Considering a new kitchen? It might pay to give yourself a little more time than you’d anticipated. According to the 2021 Houzz & Home Survey, it takes an average of 11.1 months to plan a new kitchen. In comparison, constructing a new home takes between just 2.4 and 5.7 months, the survey reveals.
So why does fine-tuning a kitchen design take such a huge length of time – and is it really worth it? We spoke to three kitchen design professionals to find out.
So why does fine-tuning a kitchen design take such a huge length of time – and is it really worth it? We spoke to three kitchen design professionals to find out.
“The kitchen is the hub of the home for many of our clients and there are many factors to consider to ensure the final product suits the context of the home, has an efficient and practical layout, and maximises available storage,” says Caroline Embling, interior designer at smarter BATHROOMS+.
“We also guide clients to focus on quality, long-lasting elements while staying within their budget, and of course focus on a beautiful design that rounds off all the practical requirements.
“All of that takes time – with some clients it’s a quicker process and others need time to digest each phase of the process until construction starts,” she says.
“We also guide clients to focus on quality, long-lasting elements while staying within their budget, and of course focus on a beautiful design that rounds off all the practical requirements.
“All of that takes time – with some clients it’s a quicker process and others need time to digest each phase of the process until construction starts,” she says.
Does it often come as a surprise to people?
“Yes, some clients come into the process only having watched The Block and are surprised at how long it takes for a considered renovation,” says Embling. “However, once the kitchen is built, they often look back on the process with a greater understanding of the journey they’ve been on, and understand why allowing time to move through each phase was pivotal to obtain the final outcome.”
Hoping to renovate your kitchen? Find a local kitchen designer to speak to about your project
“Yes, some clients come into the process only having watched The Block and are surprised at how long it takes for a considered renovation,” says Embling. “However, once the kitchen is built, they often look back on the process with a greater understanding of the journey they’ve been on, and understand why allowing time to move through each phase was pivotal to obtain the final outcome.”
Hoping to renovate your kitchen? Find a local kitchen designer to speak to about your project
How important is the planning stage?“It is crucial to ensure a smooth process on-site, and that the outcome is fully considered,” says Embling. “Every decision made, detail finalised and product selected and ordered prior to the start is one potential issue that results on-site.
“We aim to address as much as possible up-front so the only surprises that arise are if demolition reveals something we could not have predicted.”
“We aim to address as much as possible up-front so the only surprises that arise are if demolition reveals something we could not have predicted.”
Is it important not to rush the planning stage for a kitchen renovation?
“Absolutely,” says Gemma Haddock, a designer at Collaroy Kitchen Centre. “It is crucial to get the kitchen design perfect and to consider all options during the planning stage. It’s far easier to change ideas, design and layouts on paper than once the kitchen goes into production. It will also be very costly if changes are made once cabinetry is already built and installed.”
Embling concurs, adding, “Our aim is to provide a kitchen that meets both current and future needs, and is exactly what clients envisaged – only better. This takes time,” she says.
“Some clients already have a good idea of what they want, others need more direction. Either way, it’s important to take as much time as needed to get the right outcome, as once it’s built you can’t go back.”
“Absolutely,” says Gemma Haddock, a designer at Collaroy Kitchen Centre. “It is crucial to get the kitchen design perfect and to consider all options during the planning stage. It’s far easier to change ideas, design and layouts on paper than once the kitchen goes into production. It will also be very costly if changes are made once cabinetry is already built and installed.”
Embling concurs, adding, “Our aim is to provide a kitchen that meets both current and future needs, and is exactly what clients envisaged – only better. This takes time,” she says.
“Some clients already have a good idea of what they want, others need more direction. Either way, it’s important to take as much time as needed to get the right outcome, as once it’s built you can’t go back.”
How long does a kitchen renovation and installation take?
“Once a design has been completely finalised and is into production, you are looking at two to three weeks from the strip-out of your old kitchen to the installation and connection of your new one,” says Haddock.
“But the exact timeframe really depends on how much other work is required; for example, any structural building work, new floors, windows or doors,” she says.
Browse more inspiring images of kitchens here
“Once a design has been completely finalised and is into production, you are looking at two to three weeks from the strip-out of your old kitchen to the installation and connection of your new one,” says Haddock.
“But the exact timeframe really depends on how much other work is required; for example, any structural building work, new floors, windows or doors,” she says.
Browse more inspiring images of kitchens here
Kitchen design by Graeme Metcalf at Dan Kitchens Australia.
What are the first steps to renovating and designing a kitchen?
“First, the kitchen designer needs to take a design brief,” says Metcalf. “This is essentially a conversation with the homeowner about what style of kitchen they like, how they entertain, the appliances they’re considering, and who will be using the kitchen – all the information needed for the designer to create a design concept.
“The kitchen space is then measured and documented by the kitchen designer. The design concept is presented and, hopefully, approved by the homeowners.”
What are the first steps to renovating and designing a kitchen?
“First, the kitchen designer needs to take a design brief,” says Metcalf. “This is essentially a conversation with the homeowner about what style of kitchen they like, how they entertain, the appliances they’re considering, and who will be using the kitchen – all the information needed for the designer to create a design concept.
“The kitchen space is then measured and documented by the kitchen designer. The design concept is presented and, hopefully, approved by the homeowners.”
“I always encourage my clients to really think about what works and doesn’t work in their current space,” says Haddock. “What do they like and not like? What’s important to them? Do they want a certain number of seats to accommodate guests or family members at the island bench? Do appliances need to be on show or hidden away? What are their everyday essentials?
“I will also work through materials and inspirational kitchen designs to understand my clients’ tastes and use them as a visual tool to discuss options with them,” she says.
“I will also work through materials and inspirational kitchen designs to understand my clients’ tastes and use them as a visual tool to discuss options with them,” she says.
“Once approved, the kitchen design moves to the production phase, with the homeowners selecting and signing off on the materials, appliances and options in order for the kitchen to be manufactured and installed,” says Metcalf.
“This is the bare planning minimum that has to happen and each kitchen company will do this process differently. Some charge for their design service, others will generate a design on the spot for zero fee.”
“This is the bare planning minimum that has to happen and each kitchen company will do this process differently. Some charge for their design service, others will generate a design on the spot for zero fee.”
What can slow down a kitchen renovation?
Metcalf says:
Metcalf says:
- Making multiple revisions to the kitchen design: Each time alterations to the design are requested, 3D images, plans and costings need to be revised. This exploration obviously takes time. However, doing your research and providing a thorough brief at the start with your kitchen designer can help, as does finding a kitchen company with a design service that is flexible enough to cater to these explorations.
- Delays in signing off on the final design: For a kitchen design to proceed to the manufacturing stage, customers need to select and sign off on their appliances, hardware and materials. Sometimes these decisions can be hard to make or there are external delaying factors that affect the ability to proceed.
- Building works that are outside the scope of the kitchen renovator: In this scenario we’d need to enlist the help of a builder. The builder may be working on other projects and have to schedule the kitchen project at a later date, when they are available. If the building works are significant, like an extension, it could take months for the builder to finalise the kitchen space until it’s ready for the kitchen company to take over.
- A global pandemic!
About the Houzz & Home Survey
The annual Houzz & Home Survey is the largest survey of residential renovation, building and decorating activity published. The survey covers a wide range of renovation projects in 2020, from interior renovations and additions to home systems, exterior upgrades and outdoor projects.
Data gathered includes historical and planned spends, professional involvement, motivations and challenges behind building, renovation and decorating projects, as well as planned activities for 2021. The 2021 study includes 2,471 respondents in Australia alone, providing insights into the home improvement activity of the millions of users of the Houzz site and mobile apps.
The annual Houzz & Home Survey is the largest survey of residential renovation, building and decorating activity published. The survey covers a wide range of renovation projects in 2020, from interior renovations and additions to home systems, exterior upgrades and outdoor projects.
Data gathered includes historical and planned spends, professional involvement, motivations and challenges behind building, renovation and decorating projects, as well as planned activities for 2021. The 2021 study includes 2,471 respondents in Australia alone, providing insights into the home improvement activity of the millions of users of the Houzz site and mobile apps.
Your turn
Were you surprised by how long the planning stage took for your own kitchen design? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Read more about the survey here. See more stories about this year’s results with Reno Insights: Are You One of the Crowd Reworking Their Garden?
Were you surprised by how long the planning stage took for your own kitchen design? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Read more about the survey here. See more stories about this year’s results with Reno Insights: Are You One of the Crowd Reworking Their Garden?
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Why does planning a kitchen design take so long?
“A straightforward kitchen renovation can take eight to 12 weeks, including planning. Unfortunately, not all kitchens are straightforward,” says Graeme Metcalf, a multi-disciplinary designer at Dan Kitchens Australia.
“Planning more complex kitchens takes time, particularly when you factor in things such as the time it can take for a homeowner to research kitchen designs online, if the kitchen is in a building extension that needs approval by council, and if there are any bespoke kitchen features that need to be researched and tested by the kitchen company.”