Things to consider when installing your own kitchen

The term “kitchen renovation” conjures up images of summer projects and fun for some, whilst instilling fear and loathing in others. The kitchen may just be the one room that you can’t afford to get wrong, in which case, if you don’t have professional training, can you really trust yourself to install a new one personally? If you’re considering a DIY kitchen installation, read on for some things to take into account.

DIY kitchen installation: Handle with care

Almost everything comes in a flat pack these days, with detailed instructions for novices who fancy having a go - but tread carefully. Highly functional rooms like kitchens are often best left to the experts, as you need them to work perfectly and can’t afford costly (or dangerous) little mistakes. The key considerations in the DIY debate are expertise, layout and time – let’s look at these one by one.

Kitchen installations: Saving time

DIY jobs are not as simple as they may seem - you might set out to install your kitchen in a day or weekend, and be scratching your head a week later with various parts and pieces still scattered around the floor. If time is a factor, it’s best to hire a professional - they can get the job done fast and you’ll know that the job is done properly (so long as you choose a kitchen renovations expert who works to industry standards and specifications).

If you do have plenty of time to spare, you could always give the kitchen installation a go yourself to begin with, and then call in the experts if the job gets too much for you to handle on your own, or to complete the more complex actions.

Kitchen layout

If you’re installing a kitchen yourself, you’ll certainly need to be well-prepared. Plenty of hardware stores across the country offer DIY project planners and measurement guides for the renovation expert within us all.

Make sure you pay particular attention to all the materials you will need to complete the job, and ensure that you’re well stocked before you start. Most importantly, don’t forget to measure the space you have available. It may sound obvious, but it’s not something you want to forget before you buy your new kitchen and start up the power tools.

Kitchen renovation: Get a helping hand

It’s all very well to say you’re going to install a new kitchen by yourself, but do you actually need to do each little task personally? It’s probably a very good idea to have at least one renovation buddy to give you a hand, particularly if you’re new to the world of DIY kitchen installation. Kitchen materials can be heavy and hard to manoeuvre on your own - you definitely don’t want to add injury to insult (should you accidentally mess up the kitchen installation too).

Employing a friend or family member to help with the kitchen installation can also be worthwhile as they may have ideas about the installation that you may not have previously considered (two minds are better than one, and all that).

Considering the kitchen installation experts

If you’re not a qualified tradesperson, there are some things that you shouldn’t try yourself. In terms of safety, kitchens must be installed to meet industry guidelines and standards – don’t forget the impact on your home’s re-sale value too. When it comes to installing power points, and sinks and tap work that are hooked up to the plumbing, you’ll definitely need to call in the experts if you’re not qualified yourself. If you are a DIY veteran, a pre-packed kitchen set of cupboards and cabinets can be installed without too much difficulty, but unless you know exactly what you’re doing, it’s best to avoid the electrical and plumbing work.

If you’re confident of your DIY abilities, home furniture and appliance installation is perfectly viable without the assistance of a professional, but be smart, be careful and stick to industry regulations. After all, safety is the first rule in the do it yourself code.