Renovating a kitchen yourself (a DIY kitchen remodel) is a big job, but it’s absolutely doable with planning, patience, and the right tools. If you’re asking, “Can I remodel my own kitchen?” the answer is yes, I did this DIY kitchen renovation using research, YouTube, and a few new tools. This guide shows how to renovate a kitchen yourself step-by-step, including what I did DIY and when to call a professional.
How to Renovate a Kitchen Yourself (Step-by-Step Overview)
Here’s a quick breakdown of the process behind a kitchen reno project.
- Plan & measure
- Design layout
- Order units/worktops
- Strip out old kitchen
- Fit base units
- Fit wall units
- Worktops, sink, tap, plumbing
- Appliances & doors
- Tiling/finishing
- Snagging & final checks
Planning and Designing Your New Kitchen
My kitchen renovation didn’t involve any major reshaping or construction works. It was a simple refresh of the cabinets, adding in some additional worktops, replacing some old appliances, sinks and taps, whilst also updating the tiles and lighting under the wall cabinets.
The sink, boiler, oven and hob all remained in the same location, so there was no need for professional intervention to move gas pipes or complete any major plumbing works. Likewise, the need for an electrician was not required as all the sockets and switches would remain in the same place. This saved us a fortune. Hiring professional plumbers and electricians can be costly, but essential when dealing with gas and electricity. So consider these costs when moving or replacing any appliances like boilers, gas ovens and hobs.
Designing Your Kitchen
The first job of any DIY kitchen reno project is to measure your existing kitchen and draw a plan. You can do this on a piece of paper or utilise 3D rendering software. Either way is fine, but I’d still always start with a piece of paper to write down the dimensions of the room. Mark out where doors, windows and current appliances and sinks are located. Be precise with your measurements.
Top Tip: If you’re replacing your sink during a DIY kitchen remodel, choose the sink before ordering the base unit so the cabinet width and waste kit match.
You can now start designing your kitchen. Have a think about how to make your new kitchen more functional. Have a look on some kitchen websites to get an idea of the types of cabinets and drawers available. Think about what works in your current kitchen and what doesn’t work. We liked the idea of having more drawers than cupboards so we designed this into our new kitchen. Deep drawers are more functional and easier to access than cupboards but are a little more expensive.
The design you select for your DIY kitchen renovation determines whether it will be practical and functional, ensuring you get value for your money. If you have a complex kitchen renovation design that involves major construction work or requires specialised skills, ensure you have qualified builders on board to avoid compromising the structural integrity of your home.
Ordering Your New Kitchen Units
With our room measured and a plan created, it was time to place an order. We decided to buy our kitchen through an online retailer, DIY Kitchens. Their planning software made it easy to configure the kitchen, and their pricing was competitive. Lead times were about 4 weeks, which fit nicely with our schedule, and all the units were delivered pre-built, meaning there was no additional time required once delivered.
Some manufacturers offer a pre-built or flat pack service. You can save more money with a flat pack service, but it can be very time consuming having to build each unit once delivered.
Consider storage space for when the new kitchen arrives. We had to clear out our dining room to keep all the units safe whilst I started the build process.
DIY Kitchen Renovation Cost, Time & Tools
- Time: 7 days (your real number)
- Cost: £5,680 (your real number)
- Saved vs pro install: ~£3,500
- Tools: drill/driver, spirit level/laser level, circular saw, jigsaw, clamps, pipe cutter, etc.
How Long Does it Take to Fit a Kitchen
It took me roughly 7 full days to completely renovate our kitchen from start to finish. This included replacing all the cabinets, fitting the white goods, tiling, extending the worktop and fitting shelving.
When taking on a kitchen renovation project, be prepared to be without a functioning kitchen for a certain period of time. When we completed our renovation, I always tried to ensure we had access to essentials. We set up a temporary fridge/freezer in another room. I kept the sink and tap functional at all times, except when I replaced them, and I ensured the oven and hobs were accessible for evening meals.
How Much Did This DIY Kitchen Renovation Cost?
Here’s a quick breakdown of our costs for this kitchen renovation project.
- Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers – £3000
- White Goods (Dishwasher, Fridge & two freezers) – £1300
- Sink and Tap – £300
- Extractor Hood – £200
- Worktop Extension – £250
- Tiling – £250
- Shelving – £120
- Paint and Misc – £60
TOTAL – £5680
Because I fitted everything myself we saved in the region of £3500.
Removing the Old Kitchen
The first task was to remove the old units. As we decided to keep the existing worktops, I had to work out whether I wanted to remove the worktops and reinstall them or simply fit the cabinets with the worktops in place.
Because I had recently re-tiled the kitchen, I decided the best course was to leave the worktops in place and install the new cabinets under the worktop. To do this, I had to ensure there was suitable support whilst I swapped them out. I simply did this one by one. Remove one or two units at a time and install the new ones in their place.
There was a fair bit of plumbing work involved in this project, also. The kitchen sink and taps were to be replaced, and I had to install a new dishwasher. It’s important to switch off the mains water when completing any work of this nature.
Fitting the New Kitchen
When completing a kitchen renovation like this, it’s essential to ensure each of the cabinets is perfectly aligned. Each one has to be millimetre-perfect.
Our pre-built units simply needed the feet fitting and pushing into place under the worktops. The feet simply push on and can then be adjusted by twisting. Starting on the lowest setting, I could slide the unit under the worktop and screw it up onto the worktop. It’s important to ensure all the legs are extended to the same height, ensure the unit is level and straight. Measure the distance between the front of the unit and the front of the worktop. There should be roughly a 20mm overhang. This overhang should be consistent all the way around the kitchen.
I didn’t fix any unit to the worktop until everything had been aligned. It was a time-consuming process but very important. To complete the under-counter cabinets, I ensured everything was in place and fine-adjusted some units to ensure everything was aligned perfectly. To secure everything in place, I used the joining pins that were provided in the accessories set and secured the units to the worktop with the provided brackets.
Replacing Kitchen Wall Units
For the wall unit, it was a simple swap. As the tiling had already been completed, I had to ensure the new cupboards fit exactly where the old ones were. The key difference with our new units was the height. We purchased a 900mm tall unit, whereas the old units were only 600mm. We did this to increase storage space and remove the unsightly gap at the top of the cabinets.
I also decided to upgrade the wall mounting by adding some more support braces. We were worried the additional weight of the larger units would be too much for the standard fixings. It was important to think about how to protect kitchen countertops during the installation process to avoid any damage from heavy equipment or sharp tools.
Fitting the Sink and Cabinet
The most difficult part of the cabinet replacements was the sink unit and the unit next to the dishwasher, which had plumbing inside. I didn’t want to remove all the pipework so the units can be cut around the pipes and slid in around them. The off-cuts were then placed back into the unit to ensure a solid floor.
Plumbing for the new sink and tap was very straightforward. I purchased a kitchen waste pipe kit from Screwfix and adjusted each section as required. This required a little sawing and some fine-tuning for the perfect fit.
The sink was lowered into place and sealed around all edges. Retaining clips attached and the waste traps and pipework fitted. The final job here was to fit the taps, which were an easy replacement using the provided flexi pipes.
Fine Adjusting Doors and Drawers
It’s super easy to fine-tune the doors and drawers on these kitchen units. With a simple screwdriver, you can adjust the doors in 2 dimensions to align each cabinet front perfectly. This way, you can ensure all spacing is set evenly, which makes for the perfect finish.
Here’s an example of the instructions provided by DIY Kitchens
Fitting Appliance Doors
Probably one of my least favourite jobs was fitting these appliance doors. You just need to be so careful and accurate when completing this job. Any mistakes can lead to a replacement door. Most appliances like this will come with a template that can be laid on the door and mark out the drill hole locations.
Ensure you take your time and measure 2 or 3 times before committing to a drill hole. You will need the top of the door to align perfectly with the top of the doors on either side. Each appliance has a slightly different door installation method, so it’s important to check each one carefully.
Fitting the Kitchen Plinth
The plinth boards are simple and easy to install. In most cases, you can simply cut each piece to the correct length, install the retaining clips and push them into place. If the height of the worktops and unit as set correctly, this should be the case. In some instances, the plinth boards may need to be ripped down to the correct height. Measure and check to ensure the correct height is set.
Cutting a plinth to the correct height can be achieved with a circular saw or table saw.
Corners and Fillers
Finishing corners is an important part of a kitchen installation. In many cases, you might need to make custom corner fillers. Sometimes you may be able to fit a standard-size corner filler. These fillers can be secured to timbers located behind or on the side of the corner units.
Boiler Cabinets
The boiler unit was the most difficult piece to install due to the need to remove the back panel, which provides the structural integrity of the cupboard. I had to remove the back panel, and special timber mounts had to be created to ensure the cabinet was secured around the boiler whilst still allowing access to the front and bottom panels.
Final Thoughts
Renovating a kitchen yourself is definitely an ambitious project, but a DIY kitchen reno is absolutely achievable with the right planning, tools, and attention to detail. This project took patience and time, but the satisfaction of seeing everything come together made it worthwhile. As an added bonus, completing the work yourself can save a significant amount of money compared to paying for professional installation.
The biggest takeaways from my renovation are to begin with a clear design and accurate measurements, take your time aligning and levelling units, and move carefully through the more challenging tasks, such as plumbing and fitting appliance doors. It is the small, fine adjustments that make the difference between a DIY job and a professional-looking finish. Most importantly, know when to call in qualified help, especially for gas and electrical work. Whether you are tackling a full kitchen renovation or simply replacing cabinets, taking it step by step will help you renovate a kitchen yourself with confidence and achieve a result you can be proud of.
Quick Tip: Incorporating a recessed access door design for cabinet doors can create a sleek and timeless look, enhancing the overall aesthetic without extensive renovation. For detailed information on when you do need permits for kitchen changes, especially those involving plumbing, electrical, or structural work, check out this helpful guide on kitchen remodelling permit requirements. It offers practical advice to help you plan your renovation with confidence.
DIY Kitchen Renovation FAQs
Can I remodel my own kitchen?
Yes — many parts of a DIY kitchen remodel are achievable if you plan well and work carefully. Tasks like replacing cabinets, worktops, sinks, taps, tiling, and fitting appliance doors can often be done DIY. Bring in qualified professionals for gas work, major electrical changes, or structural alterations.
Can I renovate my own kitchen without hiring a professional?
In many cases, yes. If you keep the sink, oven/hob, boiler, and electrics in the same positions, you can often avoid major plumbing and electrical work. If you need to move gas pipes, rewire circuits, or change plumbing runs, it’s safer (and often required) to hire a certified professional.
How do you renovate a kitchen yourself?
A simple way to approach a DIY kitchen renovation is:
- Measure and plan your layout
- Design cabinets/storage and choose appliances
- Order units, worktops, sink/tap, and accessories
- Remove old units (safely isolate water/electrics as needed)
- Fit base units and level everything
- Fit wall units and align doors/drawers
- Fit sink, tap, waste kit, and appliances
- Finish: plinths, fillers, tiles, lighting, and snagging
How long does a DIY kitchen renovation take?
It depends on the size and complexity of the job. For this DIY kitchen reno, the full renovation took around 7 days, including cabinets, appliances, tiling, a worktop extension, and shelving. Moving plumbing, electrics, or walls will usually add time.
How much does a DIY kitchen renovation cost?
Costs vary depending on units, worktops, appliances, and finishes. In this project, the DIY kitchen renovation cost was £5,680 all-in. Doing the work DIY saved around £3,500 compared to paying for installation.
What’s the hardest part of renovating a kitchen yourself?
Many DIYers find the sink cabinet (working around existing pipework), getting cabinets perfectly level, and fitting appliance doors the most challenging. Take your time, measure carefully, and don’t fix units permanently until everything lines up.
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