Planning your kitchen

To help you measure your present kitchen and the location of its plumbing and electric outlets, use the Planning guide Renovate the kitchen in PDF format. For viewing and printing, you will need Acrobat Reader software.

If you want to experiment yourself with new designs for your new kitchen, print it several times so you will have several sheets on which to work. Note, too, any adjacent rooms or areas where you think you may be able to steal space to incorporate into your new kitchen.
Guide PDF (240K)
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How to prepare for your kitchen renovation project
Information about kitchen renovations
Work schedule
Information you need to gather

How to prepare for your kitchen renovation project

Budgeting
The cost of your kitchen renovation should be calculated as a ratio of the value of your house. Generally, between 6% and 10% of your house's declared value represents a reasonable cost for the purchase and installation of new kitchen cabinets. With this formula, you can recapture an amount varying from 94% to 100% of your investment at resale.

When planning your project, you should also consider the cost of buying appliances, plumbing and electrical accessories, lighting, materials, doors and windows, flooring, paint, decoration, etc (see cost breakdown).

What is the best time to plan renovations?
To avoid the busy period of May, June and July, the best period for maximum availability of contractors is during the fall or winter. By planning your renovations in the fall or winter, you’ll avoid scheduling problems, as contractors aren’t as busy, as well as kitchen designers, for whom planning deadlines will be shorter.

How much time should you take to shop and plan your kitchen project?
Preferably, you should begin 2 months before the starting date of the renovations, especially when you consider that manufacturers require from 3 to 6 weeks to manufacture the cabinets and that you’ll surely need to shop for items like appliances, floor coverings, lights, etc.

Choose the style that you want in your kitchen
Read decoration magazines to learn about the trends and material types that you would like. Also, visit our showroom to see the materials offered and the different arrangements that are possible. Take time to write down your needs and special requirements, as well as the positive and negative sides of your present kitchen. All this will help the kitchen designer, who will have the basic information needed to guide you through your renovation project.

Information about kitchen renovations

Cost breakdown

EXAMPLE OF COST BREAKDOWN:

House value - $150,000: The cost of kitchen cabinets should be between $9,000 (6%) and $15,000 (10%).
Based on total global renovation costs including wall insulation and relocation of electricity and plumbing, all work done by professional contractors.
DescriptionCost% of the total investment
Cabinet purchase and installation$9000.0030%
Counter and backsplash$2700.005%
Plumbing$1500.005%
Lighting$600.002%
Flooring$1200.004%
Appliances$3000.0010%
Various materials$4500.0015%
Various contractors$7500.0025%
Total investment:$30000.00100%

Work schedule

All renovations require a working schedule for the contractors. In the case of kitchen cabinets, you can have other work done while waiting for the production of your cabinets, which should take about 3 to 6 weeks.

Working order
  • Plumbing: cut water supply to kitchen sink, dishwasher and other appliances.
  • Electricity: unplug the appliances.
  • Demolish actual kitchen.
  • Rebuild walls if necessary.
  • Plumbing: relocate plumbing if necessary.
  • Electricity: relocate plugs for appliances if necessary, plan for new plugs and wiring for lighting.
  • Drywall installation - joints - paint.
  • Cabinets and counter installation.
  • Flooring
  • Plumbing: fittings for all fixtures (sink, dishwasher...).
  • Electricity: wiring, outlets, etc.

A good planning schedule is the key to a succesful kitchen renovation project.

Information you need to gather

  • Draw a rough sketch of your kitchen.
  • Measure one entire wall, beginning at the left corner and measure to the far right corner. Write the total measurement on your rough sketch in inches.
  • Measure from the left corner to the edge of any opening (window or door).
  • Measure across the opening from trim edge to trim edge.
  • Measure from the trim edge to the far wall. Compare the total inches of steps 3, 4 and 5 with the measurement in step 2. The measurements should be the same.
  • Mark the exact location of the sink, water drain, gas lines, electric outlets and switches on the drawing.
  • Measure from floor to windowsill. Note this.
  • Measure from the windowsill to the top of the window. Mark as described in step 7.
  • Measure from the top of the window to the ceiling. Mark as above.
  • Measure from floor to ceiling. Compare the total inches of steps 7, 8 and 9 with the measurement in step 10. The measurements should be the same.
  • Measure the width of the door from trim edge to trim edge. Indicate the position of the door swing.
  • Measure the remaining three walls, following steps 2 through 11.
  • Measure the stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and sink. List type and size of all appliances, using the guide.
  • Double-check all measurements.
  • Measure the distance from the floor to the bottom of any bulkheads; it should be at least 84 in. Note the depth of the bulkhead; 13 in. is normal. Mark this at the edge of your drawing.
  • Call your nearest merchant to book an appointment with an expert in the Kitchen Design department. Take in your measurements and your wish list.
The experts will take these measurements and design your new dream kitchen.
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