A kitchen remodel starts well before the cabinets come out. The decisions made before demolition determine whether the room can move steadily from rough work to cabinets, countertops and final connections. Here are eight things to settle with your contractor before you clear the kitchen.
1. Approve the layout you will actually build
Decide where the refrigerator, range, dishwasher, sink and storage will go. Identify any wall removal or changes to electrical and plumbing locations. An inspiration photo is a starting point; the approved layout needs dimensions and clear responsibilities. If the layout changes after cabinets have been ordered, the cost and schedule may change too.
2. Provide appliance model numbers
“Standard size” is not enough for cabinet planning. Share the model numbers and installation specifications for each owner-supplied appliance before the order is released. The team needs to check openings, ventilation, door clearances and utility connections. Include the range hood and microwave, not just the refrigerator and oven.
3. Choose the details that affect the cabinet order
Confirm cabinet style, colors, upper-cabinet height and the arrangement of drawers, shelves and pullouts. Consider how you cook: where will spices, trash, trays and everyday dishes go? Review the sample finish and final measurements together. A two-tone kitchen needs a clear record of which cabinets receive each color.
4. Finalize sink, faucet and countertop selections
The sink model affects the cabinet and countertop cutout. Faucet holes, accessories, edge details and backsplash material also need decisions. If the countertop and backsplash use the same quartz, confirm the extent of that work in the proposal. Countertop templating happens after the base cabinets are installed and ready; fabrication and installation then follow.
5. Separate approvals from installation time
For a straightforward kitchen installation, FQB uses an approximate planning window of 14–21 days once the project is ready for construction. That is not the time from the first phone call to a finished kitchen. Design approvals, ordering, deliveries, permits and building approvals come first. Inspections, concealed repairs or changes can extend the construction schedule.
A useful schedule identifies these stages separately:
- Before construction: measurements, approved selections, required approvals and materials ready.
- Opening the room: demolition, condition review and agreed repairs.
- Installation: electrical and plumbing work, cabinets, countertop templating, fabrication and installation.
- Closeout: final connections, required inspections, adjustments and walkthrough.
6. Confirm what the price includes
Read the proposal room by room. Mark what FQB supplies, what you purchase, and who installs each item. Ask about appliances, finish hardware, painting beyond the affected kitchen, permit fees and association charges. These should be expressly included or excluded, so you can compare the full project budget rather than just the cabinet price.
7. Prepare for daily life during the work
Agree on access, protection of adjacent areas, material storage and debris removal. Set up a temporary place for food preparation and clear the construction area. In a condo, collect the building’s renovation requirements early, including work hours, elevator reservations and delivery rules. Confirm the applicable municipal permit requirements separately.
8. Decide how changes will be handled
Opening walls or removing flooring can reveal conditions that were not visible at the first visit. Any additional scope should be documented with its cost and schedule impact before proceeding. Keep the approved layout, selections and change orders together, and use the final walkthrough to record remaining completion items.
Ready to Plan Your Kitchen?
Bring your ideas, project location and priorities. Florida Quality Builders Corp. will help you turn them into a defined scope and practical next steps. Explore our kitchen remodeling service, read our remodeling FAQs, or request a free consultation.
