How to prepare for a kitchen renovation
Living without a kitchen during your kitchen renovation can be a daunting thought. Ideally, some people prefer to move out during the renovation as we all know that they can be a dusty and noisy mess. But this isn’t a realistic option for everyone. Maybe you have a young family to feed or maybe you’re on a tight budget and eating out every meal is seriously expensive. Here’s our tips for surviving your kitchen renovation.
1. Ask your cabinet maker or builder how long you’ll be a working without a kitchen
For a kitchen renovation, the general rule of thumb is to expect to be without a working kitchen for approximately 3-4 weeks, depending on the size and scope of the work. The demolition and removal stage of your old kitchen takes about 1 day, while the install of the new kitchen is usually 2-3 days. After this is complete, the stone mason will be able to accurately template your new benchtops. What people don’t usually know is that the turnaround time for your benchtop to be cut is around 2 weeks. Once stone is installed then your plumber and electrician will be able to reconnect your tap, dishwasher and oven etc. Keep in mind that the more trades you require in your renovation the longer it will take (e.g. plasterer for the removal of walls etc).
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2. Plan and prepare your meals
You can never be too organised when it comes to planning and preparing your meals during your kitchen renovation. So, make the most of your kitchen while you can! Have a cooking day and prepare freezer-friendly meals that you can simply reheat for your family, perfect for dinner time. From spaghetti bolognaise to chilli con-carne, curries, cottage pie or soup, there’s plenty of options! Once your freezer is stocked up, you can start planning other easy dinner ideas that don’t require a stove or oven. Think simple meals like a store bought roast chicken with salad, wraps, sushi bowls with canned tuna or baked beans on toast. You’ll be surprised how many recipes are out there.
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3. Prepare a temporary kitchen station
A temporary kitchen isn’t ideal, but it’s definitely better than no kitchen at all. We recommend using your laundry as your makeshift kitchen as you’ll have access to power points, a sink and running water, as well as some bench space to prepare food. If this isn’t an option for you then a garage, undercover outdoor area or spare room with a foldout table will also do the trick. Once your fridge and freezer is all set up, appliances like an air fryer, toaster, barbecue, electric frying pan and microwave are all handy to have close by. And most importantly, if you’ve got a coffee machine, set that up too. All you need now is a bin, chopping board and cutlery. If you don’t have access to a sink to wash your dishes and cutlery, perhaps stocking up on paper plates and wooden cutlery is an alternative option.
