Your top tips for embarking on a kitchen refurb

[Liltzero]

My current kitchen units, worktop, tiles, sink etc are now showing their age (20+ years). I've just started thinking about getting a new kitchen. Where do I start? What are your top tips for choosing and installing a kitchen. Thanks

Got the list of what's wrong with the current kitchen (knackered, too much open shelving). Did you go for supply and fit, or get your own fitter? National company or a local?? Thanks

We went to a couple of independents with just the measurements and asked them for ideas, telling them what we didn't want e.g I don't like islands. In the end we went with the one that listened to us and came up with suggestions. I also used an online planner to map out my own ideas. We ended up with a handmade kitchen with granite worktops that I never thought we could have on our budget. The whole process took around 9 months but its the last kitchen we'll fit in this house. Last one was 20 years old!

Nine months? Why did it take so long? Is that usual? We are just in the early planning stages of a downstairs renovation which will include a new kitchen but I didn't imagine just that element could take nine months. Although I accept I could be being completely naive.

9 months sounds like a long time. I did a full refurb (right back to the plaster) in 3.

I started with the "big ticket" items. I knew I wanted a huge cooker and a big American style fridge freezer. Working out the placement of these first and then planning around that.

Then I listed out my other wants - lots of prep space, pan draws, integrated bins, cooks cupboard for my gadgets where they were easily accessible but tidy.

Make sure you think about things like electrical sockets - how many and the placement.

I went to a local firm who makes bespoke units. The finalised the design based on my "wants".

I bought my appliances online to get the best deal. Generally speaking I threw money at things that could be seen, but bought less pricy brands for integrated items like my dishwasher draws.