Our NEFF Guide to Starting a Kitchen Renovation
Doing a kitchen renovation can be incredibly rewarding, but also quite daunting. That’s why we’ve got the ultimate kitchen remodel checklist to help you get the ball rolling.
Work out your kitchen renovation budget
Before you start planning your dream kitchen, you need to budget for it first. There are elements of a kitchen renovation that you’ll need to budget for, including:
– Big ticket items, which includes project management and appliances
– Medium ticket items, which includes cabinetry and flooring
– Small ticket items, which includes fixtures and decor
– An emergency buffer, just in case there’s a hiccup or blow-out
And don’t forget to document your spending and expenses. This can help you can stay accountable and on track to not go over budget. It also allows you to tweak your budget in real-time.
The early stages are a good time to shop around for quotes, investigate insurance and finalise your scope of work. Think about ways you can save extra cash too. For example, can you sell current appliances to cover the cost of new ones? They might not go for much but every dollar counts.
Plan, plan and plan
After determining what you can or can’t afford, it’s time to plan. Spending a good amount of time planning and designing is a great piece of advice from one of our NEFF customers, and it’s something that we wholeheartedly agree with.
To make this step easier, check out our easy-to-use Kitchen Renovation Checklist to plan your kitchen based on your needs. Whether it’s ticking all the appliances you want or sitting down with your builder to figure out the finer details, this checklist can help you keep track of the many moving parts of a kitchen renovation.
Lock in your trades early
A common mistake people make in a kitchen renovation is not securing tradespeople early process. Tradies are busy people , which is why you need to seek out quotes as soon as you can.
Give them your plans and budget and work out how just realistic they are. They might even optimise your designs with new ideas, such as adding toe-kick storage or solutions for corner cupboards.
It’s also important that your contractors are licensed. Most states require licensing for renovations over $5,000 and you can look up tradies to see if they’re licensed on government sites. Victoria’s, for instance, is the Victorian Building Authority. Also beware of contractors who want you to sign on as an ‘owner builder’ when you aren’t doing any DIY work, as it may pass on unneeded liability.
Measure everything and create your floor plan
Work with your tradies to measure up your space. This includes everything from heights and widths of benches, appliances, splashbacks, walkways – the whole lot. can help you narrow down your cabinetry and appliance options, so you don’t accidentally order an oven that’s too small for your kitchen.
Use these measurements to sketch up a floor plan and start plotting it out. Think of things like your ‘work triangle’, which is the three points that you’ll use most and want to flow freely between. For many, this is the countertop, oven/stovetop, and sink. Pro-tip: scan and print out your scaled floor plan so you can do multiple drafts.
Research your kitchen appliances
Do you research so you can find appliances that revolutionise the space – they will take a big chunk out of your budget, after all. Luckily the sleek designs of NEFF appliances can suit most kitchen styles, with unique features designed to help you make the most of this important room. A NEFF Slide & Hide® oven can be a great solution for tight areas while looking sleek and stylish, and a double-stacked oven is perfect for those home cooks who .
And with NEFF’s new Design Flex range, you can customise the handles and trimmings of your appliances to have a kitchen with a harmonious design. Going for an industrial look? Then the brushed bronze trims will elevate your space. Want something bolder instead? Then consider the deep black option instead. Your design possibilities are truly endless!
Book in a product demonstration or phone consultation and our NEFF experts can help guide you. Take in your floor plan and measurements and they’ll give professional advice that can be foundational to your renovation.
Research and be inspired
Start looking at everything you can think of to find inspiration for your kitchen’s look and feel. This will help you develop a taste for what you like and what you wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole.
Settling on a style for your kitchen will help you finalise the hard decisions you might’ve made – from paint colours through to lighting types. If you’re struggling to find some inspiration, check out some of our favourite sources of inspiration:
– Ultimate Kitchens and Bathrooms
Make a schedule and get to work
Knowing the order of operations can go a long way and help everyone stay on top of the renovation. For example, you might start with demolition and plumbing, followed by doing the doors and windows. This will be different for everyone, but once you’ve mapped it all out, it’s time to get to work.
When getting into the swing of things, keep track of your budgeting daily to ensure you’re not overspending. Consider having a mudroom (or mud area) to store tools and work clothes to protect other areas of the house.
It’s also handy to keep a daily diary of the work and costs. You’ll likely go through this process again and having a reference for what worked and what didn’t will make a world of difference for round two.
Planning to upgrade your kitchen appliances or replace an old oven? Book a free demonstration with a NEFF Cooking expert to learn more about the right appliance for you.
About NEFF
NEFF is a German-engineered kitchen appliance brand, with a product range that includes ovens, cooktops, rangehoods, coffee machines and dishwashers designed to make life in the kitchen a daily pleasure. For people who love to cook, NEFF gives you the tools to create meaningful connections, express your creativity and make memories. Because real life happens in the kitchen.
