How easy is it to replace tiles and worktops without messing up kitchen?

[theobear]

Our kitchen is a little dated but the kitchen cabinets are inoffensive and solid so I'd like to keep them. I would like to change the tiles and worktops, and maybe upgrade the built-in oven and hob at the same time. Would this be a big job? I could redo the kitchen completely but I'd probably choose the same sort of cabinets again so I was wondering whether retaining them would enable us to update the kitchen sooner than we would otherwise be able to do. Do I make enquiries for a kitchen fitter - or do I need separate tradespeople if I don't want to rip it out and start again? Thank you!

the worktop and tiles are usually fitted after the units are done, so (apart from the dust) it should not be a big job.

You'll be changing the sink, so consider if the plumbing needs to be modified - much easier when the worktop is off as you have access.

I had a chippy in to do my kitchen, and he happens to be good at tiling too. You can't really expect one person to be good at everything.

Laminate worktop can be very modestly priced. The square-edge seems to be coming back into fashion, it's much easier to make neat joints than the moulded edges.

Thank you, PigletJohn. Good point about the sink - I like ours. Do I need to scrap it and buy a new one? It's a Blanco one and made from something that's not stainless steel, but I don't know what that something is. Not the end of the world to replace though.

If you're getting a new worktop you should be able to use the same sink you've already got.
I got a carpenter in to do my new sink, tiles, worktop and hob, and he did the tiling too (I kept my old cabinets).

The carpenter called in a plumber mate of his to connect the sink, and a sparky to move one of the mains plugs.

yes, I think there a lot to be said for having a sparky do the sparks and a plumber do the plums.

You don't want amateurish work hidden away behind the units.

You can certainly keep the old sink, but consider having a bright new waste and tap (especially if your existing tap has ceramic valves and a joysick, as repair parts can be hard to find unless it is a big brand). The seals on an old waste harden over time and may not go back very successfully.

You may like to have the pipework tidied, especially if connections for dishwasher, washer or boiler were added after the pipes were first done.