The idea of transforming your kitchen into a beautiful and inviting space has never been more sought after than now. That’s because the end result of a kitchen remodel is more than just aesthetics and functionality, it also increases your property’s saleability.
But that said, homeowners like yourself might also find redoing a kitchen daunting. That’s because you don’t know where to start and which kitchen remodel steps to follow.
Nevertheless, follow the right order of kitchen remodel and you’ll find it much easier than you thought.
And that’s exactly why I’ve created this step by step kitchen remodel guide, walking you through every renovation step along with my own insights as a professional remodeling contractor.
So, read on and know how you can go about a stress-free kitchen renovation.
Step by step kitchen remodel: Here’s what it involves

A full-scale cooking and dining area renovation is more than just hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor. So much so that you’ve factor everything from choosing a new design to demolishing old structures to installing new fixtures and a lot more.
Moreover, each of these stages are critical for a cohesive and functional re-design.
Simply put, you can’t ignore any of the steps involved in kitchen renovation. And to that end, here are 8 steps to remodel a kitchen from start to finish:
Your Journey to Kitchen Transformation Begins Here
Get a foolproof remodeling strategy for every stage of kitchen renovation, eliminate guesswork, and turn your dream kitchen into a reality.
Step 1: Plan your remodel to the smallest detail
Before you step forth with anything kitchen remodel, it’s essential you’ve a detailed plan of how you’ll go about it. You can start off by creating a layout with precise measurements of your kitchen space.
Here, you’ll identify where elements like sink, stove, and refrigerator will be placed. Also called the work triangle, this is critical to your kitchen’s functionality, and thus, should reflect your cooking habits and storage needs.
Thereafter, you need to decide on the overall style of your kitchen. For instance, whether you want modern, farmhouse, traditional, or transitional kitchen makeovers is something you’ll have to figure out.
Finally, once you have a design handy, make a checklist of everything you’ll need from appliances to fixtures and finishes.
Step 2: Demolish your old kitchen
The first physical step in a kitchen remodel, demolition will require you to remove old cabinets, countertops, flooring, and even walls if needed. And if it involves making alterations to your home’s structural systems, you’ll also need a permit to remodel your kitchen.
Now, once you’ve obtained the required demolition permits, you can start by turning off water, gas, and electricity, and then proceed to remove fixtures and appliances.
Also, while you’re going ahead with demolition, I suggest you rent a dumpster or hire a waste removal service to manage the debris efficiently. That’s because although it looks small to start with, debris can pile up in no time and affect your kitchen remodel timeline.
Similarly, if you’re a DIYer tackling the demolition yourself, it’s essential you have safety gear like gloves, goggles, and dust masks.
Step 3: Overhaul plumbing and electrical systems
With the old kitchen components and structures demolished to accommodate the new design, you can now upgrade the plumbing and electrical systems.
To start with, plumbing updates will involve relocating pipes for new sinks and dishwashers or running a plumbing line for the new refrigerator.
At the same time, electrical work is all about adding new outlets, upgrading circuits to handle new appliances, or installing under-the-cabinet lighting, among others.
Now, this is one of those kitchen remodel steps where it’s essential to hire professionals. After all, not only do you have to comply with building codes but also ensure safety.
Step 4: Install drywall and apply fresh paint
Drywall and paint work should always follow electrical and plumbing work in a step by step kitchen remodel. That’s because these tasks can become quite complicated once you’ve installed cabinets or flooring.
You can begin with repairing or replacing the drywall. Here, you’ll either remove or patch the damaged sections of the drywall or replace it entirely.
This will be followed by applying a primer to seal the drywall surface and creating an even base for paint.
Talking about painting, I suggest you go for a durable and washable paint finish that can withstand your kitchen’s high-traffic and last you for years. Also, depending on which kitchen cabinet colors you opt for, you can choose between neutral tones or bold accents, among others.
Step 5: Lay out flooring
You’ll agree when I say that flooring sets the stage for the overall kitchen aesthetics. So, it is essential you choose the right flooring material.
Flooring options popular among households include kitchen laminate flooring, hardwood, tile, and vinyl to name a few.
Now, before you install flooring, I suggest you check if the subfloor is even and clean. Also, complete the installation before cabinetry work to avoid problems with kitchen cabinet dimensions.
Step 6: Install cabinets and countertops
Cabinets go beyond providing essential storage and define your kitchen’s looks and style. Think of them as the backbone of functionality and visual appeal.
Speaking of cabinetry installation, I suggest you start by installing upper cabinets first. And while doing so, you should ensure they are level and securely attached to the walls.
You can follow this with lower cabinetry installation where your focus should be on creating a solid base for countertops.
Next up comes countertop installation which should be measured and fabricated for precision. You can choose between popular countertop materials like quartz, granite, and laminate, among other opinions.
Step 7: Add appliances and fixtures
Now that cabinets and countertops are in place, you can go ahead and install appliances like the refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. Herein, you’ll need to connect each appliance to appropriate plumbing and electrical systems.
Also, this is the stage where you’ll install lighting fixtures. This will include pendant lights, under-cabinet LEDs, and ceiling fixtures.
Pro tip: Pay attention to details like faucet location and water pressure while installing the sink.
Step 8: Final touches
The final stage in a step by step kitchen remodel is all about adding the finishing touches. The idea is to bring your kitchen to life and make it ready to use.
And to that end, you need to do small upgrades like adding backsplashes to protect walls, installing cabinet hardware like handles to improve functionality, etc.
Lastly, review the completed work to ensure everything meets your plans and functions optimally.
DIY vs professional kitchen remodel: What should you go for?

When remodeling a kitchen, homeowners find themselves puzzled about whether they should hire a professional contractor or undertake a DIY project.
Now, the answer isn’t straightforward as although some steps in kitchen remodel can be easily DIYed, others need professional expertise.
Meaning, while you can DIY a few steps to remodel a kitchen, you’ll definitely need to hire a professional at some stage.
Overall, here’s when you can DIY and when you can-not:
When to DIY
If you’re a DIY enthusiast, projects like painting walls, replacing cabinet hardware, and assembling ready-to-install cabinets are something you can undertake.
Also, if you feel comfortable with tools, you might well handle demolition or install basic flooring.
However, I suggest you be realistic about your skill levels and the time commitment.
When to hire a professional
Not all things are meant for DIYers and specialized tasks like plumbing, electrical work, and structural changes are best left for experts.
That’s because these tasks require compliance with local building codes and expertise to ensure safety.
You see, not only do professionals bring knowledge and efficiency but they also complete tasks faster and with higher quality.
FAQs about steps to remodel a kitchen
When remodeling a kitchen what comes first?
A lot of homeowners ask me where to start when remodeling a kitchen.
And my advice is this: Always plan out the remodel before proceeding with anything that involves physical wear and tear. This will include having a complete layout in place and planning everything to the last detail.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
On average, a kitchen remodel can take between 6-12 weeks, depending on the type of renovation.
Also, larger remodels with custom components and luxury finishes can take even longer.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets and countertops will take up the largest portion of the budget accounting for up-to 30 percent of the cost. And this will be followed by the cost of appliances and labor.
Do you need a permit for a kitchen remodel?
Yes, you might.
Permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and structural changes, among others. So, I suggest you check your local building codes beforehand.
Your Journey to Kitchen Transformation Begins Here
Get a foolproof remodeling strategy for every stage of kitchen renovation, eliminate guesswork, and turn your dream kitchen into a reality.
Conclusion
As you can see, a step by step kitchen renovation is simpler than it seems. In fact, follow the steps above and you can complete your project easily and with confidence.
Got more questions about kitchen remodel steps or need professional assistance for your project?
You can get in touch with us!
At Creative Design Ceramic Tile & Bath, we are seasoned kitchen remodeling experts with 38+ years of experience. And we’ve got all your kitchen renovation needs covered on a budget.