Kitchens are the heart of a modern home, but when the time comes to replace them, it can be a costly project. Although you can pick up good quality flat pack kitchens for a reasonable price from most good DIY retail outlets, the cost of labor is often prohibitive. It can easily cost upwards of $10,000 to have a new kitchen fitted, and the larger the room, the more it will cost.
If you want a new kitchen but the cost is stopping you from splashing out, you can save a chunk of money by designing and fitting the kitchen yourself. Contact Kennards Hire to hire tools you needed. Here is a quick guide to help you get started.
Design The Kitchen
Measure your room accurately and draw a 2-D plan on a sheet of paper. Mark out where the main features are, including electrics, plumbing, gas pipes, windows, doors, etc. Use this as your starting point. Most kitchen units are in standard sizes. With a flat pack kitchen, you buy the carcasses and choose doors to suit your budget.
Freestanding kitchen units are more expensive, but they look great in quirky homes and can be handy in a small kitchen.
Use your old kitchen for inspiration. Work out how many units you can fit into the available space. Play around with the configuration and see what a difference using alternate size units makes to the overall look. If you don’t feel confident designing a kitchen, take your measurements to a kitchen retailer and ask them to produce a design. Most will do this for free and you are not obligated to buy the kitchen from them.
Strip Out The Old Kitchen
Strip out the old kitchen and dispose of it responsibly. If the units are in decent condition, you might be able to sell it as a job lot. Now is the time to have the electrics sorted out or new plumbing fitted. It is also a good time to lay floor tiles or add underfloor heating.
Fitting New Cupboards
Flat pack units must be assembled before they are fixed to the wall. Begin with the wall cupboards. Using a spirit level, make sure your first unit is level or it will throw out the rest. When the wall carcasses are in place, make a start on the base units. Use the fixings provided so your cupboards are securely attached to the wall. Make adjustments to the height of the units if the floor is not level.
Once all the carcasses are in place, it is time to get to grips with the countertop. This is where you may need some assistance, as joints can be tricky to do well.
Plumbing in a sink is fairly straightforward, but if you are not sure how to fix faucets and other plumbing, watch some YouTube videos. For electrics, it is best to hire a qualified electrician.
Finishing Touches
Trim baseboards and fix cupboard doors. Add the handles and you are almost done. The last task is to decide on decorative features, such as a splash back.
Hopefully your kitchen installation has gone without a hitch, but if you don’t feel confident, always hire a professional to do the job.
