Your kitchen project - what you need to know before you start

Essential guidance for a smooth and successful project and a fabulous kitchen that will last a lifetime

Whether your kitchen is part of a larger build or a standalone project, it represents a significant investment of time, money, and energy. Most of our clients are juggling busy lives whilst worrying about costs, disruption, design decisions, and project management.

Our free guide shares some of the critical lessons that I’ve learned over 14 years to help ensure a smooth project and give you a fabulous kitchen that works for years to come - here’s a sample of what’s in it:

✓ Know what you need to budget for before you commit to anything - both for the kitchen itself and any building works.

✓ Understand why you need to start the kitchen conversation early so you can get to the best outcome and avoid those “I only wish we’d….” thoughts after you’ve finished.

✓ See my top tips to get the layout right with practical guidance and some key dimensions to make sure it really works for you and your family and friends.

Scroll down to read our essential advice on budgeting for a taste of what’s in it, or fill out the form below for the full free guide.

With my best wishes for your project,

Jo

PS if you’ve any questions or would like to ask our advice, please do get in touch.

Our Essential Guide to What You Need to Budget For

Every project has a budget – this guide walks you through the main elements you’ll need to budget for and provides advice on where to spend and where you can save.

The Kitchen Itself

·       Design: make sure you engage a professional designer who you trust, who understands how kitchens work and the practicalities of construction/fitting them.

·       Cabinetry: what is it made of? Solid wood vs MDF vs chipboard matters enormously.

·       Worktops: quartz, granite or porcelain each bring different trade-offs.

·       Appliances: quality and longevity, which features do you actually need?

·       Fitting: always use a professional — poor fitting can really undermine an otherwise excellent kitchen.

·       Handles, ancillaries and lighting: these can really make a design work and provide the finishing touches.

‍ ‍‍Where to Spend and Where to Save

‍Things worth spending money on:

·       Quality cabinetry, that’s optimised for what you really need.

·       Drawers (better than cupboards!).

·       Built-in appliances.

·       Lighting.

·       Professional fitting.

Where you might choose to save money:

·       Quartz (good value, lower-cost options exist, but seek advice).

·       Freestanding appliances, which can easily be replaced later.

·       Swapping wall cabinets for open shelves.

·       Utility rooms, where you might choose a cheaper cabinetry range.

‍ ‍‍ ‍Building Works

‍ ‍‍ ‍Don’t forget the other works that may be needed:

·       Taking out the old kitchen.

·       New flooring.

·       Any structural work e.g. steels.

·       New plumbing and electrics (if it’s an old house, you may be advised to rewire).

·       New doors, windows and other woodwork.

·       Plastering.

·       Painting and decorating.

·       Rubbish removal.

‍ ‍‍Mind The Gap!

‍ ‍‍Finally, there is almost always a gap between what the builder quotes for and what the kitchen company quotes for. Common items that fall into this gap: 

·       Extraction ducting — often assumed to be someone else's responsibility. 

·       Plywood lining to walls (required for solid fixing of wall cabinets).

·       Additional studwork (unless on architect's drawings): walk-in pantries, mantels, niches for cabinetry. 

·       Boiling tap fitting — builders’ quotes often only allow for a standard tap. 

·       Second-fix electrics and plumbing — final connections after cabinetry is in. 

·       Floor protection during fitting — your new floor needs protecting. 

·       Rubbish removal — packaging and waste from a full kitchen fit is bulky. 

Our advice - walk through both quotes line by line and identify who is responsible for every item.

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‍ ‍If you’ve found this helpful, why not download our full guide, which also includes our advice on the essential things you need to know about getting the design right and things to keep an eye on during the building works, including:

‍·       Why you need to start the kitchen conversation early

·       How to get the layout right

·       Colours and finishes

·       Getting the lighting right

·       Timescales

·       The importance of getting the site properly prepared

‍ ‍Just fill in the form above to download it.

If you’d like to get in touch to discuss your project, just click here to book a no-obligation discovery call.

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© 2026 Chisholm Design. All rights reserved. The information in this guide is provided for educational purposes based on professional experience. It does not constitute professional advice specific to your circumstances. Consult qualified professionals before making decisions about your project. Chisholm Design accepts no liability for decisions made based on this content.