Installing a new kitchen is not just putting down a piece of furniture; it is a small renovation project. When you are busy with the planning, you often run into the familiar "chicken-and-egg" problems.
Should I have the plasterer come before the kitchen is standing, or exactly after? And the floor, should it run under the cabinets or not?
In this article, we provide the perfect, most logical order (planning) for a complete kitchen renovation, to prevent delays and double costs.
The Ideal Order for Kitchen Renovation
| Step | Task | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dismantle the old kitchen | Clean slate, remove tiles |
| 2 | Pipework (installation work) | Position sockets, drain, water exactly |
| 3 | Plastering and drying | Must be completely dry (1mm/day) |
| 4 | Painting walls and ceiling | Easier without cabinets in the way |
| 5 | Laying the floor | Runs under the kitchen |
| 6 | Kitchen assembly | On finished floor, against painted wall |
| 7 | Back wall (tiles or glass) | After assembly, sealed to worktop |
1. Dismantling the old kitchen
Start with a clean slate. Take the old cabinets out, remove appliances, and chip off any wall tiles.
2. Pipework (Installation work)
Now that the walls are bare and accessible, the plumber and electrician arrive.
- Sockets are moved to the correct position (milling slots in the wall).
- Extra groups in the meter cupboard (e.g., for induction or dishwasher) are pulled.
- The drain and water pipes are positioned exactly according to the IKEA installation drawing.
3. Plastering and drying
The walls (with the concealed pipes) are smoothed by the plasterer.
[!IMPORTANT] Drying time: Plasterwork must be completely dry before the kitchen cabinets are installed. Wood/chipboard attracts moisture; with walls that are too wet, your kitchen will warp and mold can develop. Count on approx. 1 millimeter of drying time per day. With a thick layer, this takes more than a week!
4. Painting (Walls and Ceiling)
Are the walls dry? Then apply the paint. It is much easier (and cleaner) to paint the entire wall when there are no kitchen cabinets hanging in the way yet.
5. Laying the Floor
This is a point of discussion. We recommend laying hard floors (such as PVC, tiles, parquet) or laminate in the entire room, before the kitchen is assembled.
- Advantage: The floor runs under the (legs of the) kitchen. This protects the subfloor in case of leakage from, for example, the dishwasher. In addition, you can change the kitchen layout more easily in the future without having a 'hole' in the floor.
- However, make sure that the floor is well protected with thick floor protector during the kitchen assembly to prevent scratches.
6. Kitchen Assembly (The Moment of Truth)
Now it's the turn of the kitchen fitters from Montage Vandaag! The base cabinets are placed and leveled on the finished floor. The wall cabinets are hung tightly against the plastered, painted wall. The appliances are connected to the perfectly prepared pipes.
7. The Back Wall (Tiles or Glass)
The 'splashback' between the countertop and the wall cabinets is finished after the kitchen assembly. Only when the worktop is laid does the tiler know exactly where to start and can it be beautifully sealed between the top and the tiles (or glass back wall).
Planning Mistakes to Avoid
- Having the kitchen delivered too early: Only have the IKEA boxes delivered in step 5 (after painting). If the boxes are in the dust during plastering, they will be damaged.
- Too tight planning: Never schedule the plasterer, floor layer, and kitchen fitter on three consecutive days. Plasterwork must dry and jobs sometimes overrun. Keep margins of a few days or weeks (for drying) between the major steps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should the floor run under the kitchen cabinets?
Yes, we recommend laying hard floors (such as PVC, tiles, parquet) or laminate in the entire room before the kitchen is assembled. The floor then runs under the kitchen, which protects the subfloor in case of leakage and makes it easier to change the kitchen layout in the future.
How long must plasterwork dry before the kitchen is installed?
Plasterwork must be completely dry before the kitchen cabinets are installed, because wood and chipboard attract moisture. Count on approximately 1 millimeter of drying time per day; with a thick layer this takes more than a week.
When should the IKEA boxes be delivered?
Only have the IKEA boxes delivered after painting (step 5). If the boxes are in the dust during plastering, they will be damaged.
Plan the assembly well?
Do you want to be sure that the kitchen is installed perfectly at the right time, without unexpected costs or delays because something doesn't seem to fit? Contact Montage Vandaag in time for a quote. We are happy to advise you on the preparation, so that the assembly itself becomes a party.