1. Freeze the decisions that affect dimensions
Before demolition, confirm the kitchen layout, cabinet plan, appliance model numbers, sink and faucet, hood or ventilation approach, lighting concept, flooring transitions, major electrical and plumbing locations, and the intended counter material. “Standard size” is not a reliable specification. Keep current installation documents beside every product decision.
Walk the room with the cabinet plan. Check doors, drawers, appliance swings, fillers, finished panels, clearances, outlet locations, and the delivery route. If walls or openings may change, confirm structural and permit requirements before cabinet production.
2. Build a procurement schedule, not just a shopping list
Record who is buying each item, the approved model or finish, order date, expected delivery, inspection responsibility, storage location, and return deadline. Cabinets, counters, appliances, specialty fixtures, and some flooring products can control the schedule. Avoid delivering vulnerable products too early to an active site unless protected storage is available.
Use the appliance measurement checklist and delivery inspection checklist. A product should not be treated as ready merely because a shipping notice exists.
3. Prepare, protect, and open the work area
Agree access routes, dust protection, shutoffs, waste handling, salvage items, and adjacent-room protection before demolition. Remove only what is in the approved scope. Once surfaces are open, document concealed conditions and decide whether any correction changes the scope, price, or sequence before proceeding.
For a condominium or managed property, building rules can affect work hours, elevators, deliveries, plumbing shutdowns, parking, noise, and disposal. Put those conditions into the construction schedule.
4. Coordinate framing and rough-ins from one approved plan
Framing, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, and other services should be coordinated against cabinet elevations and exact appliance requirements. Confirm required municipal or trade inspections before covering work. Photograph approved rough-ins with room and wall labels so the closeout record remains useful.
Do not locate outlets, water lines, drains, or hood connections from memory. A small location error can interfere with drawers, cabinet backs, appliance depth, backsplash layouts, or service access.
5. Sequence surfaces, cabinets, counters, and finishes
The exact order depends on the materials and installation methods, but the team should decide it before work begins. Wall preparation, priming, flooring, cabinet installation, counter templating, backsplash, finish painting, trim, and appliance placement affect one another. Protect completed work as later trades enter.
Counter templating normally depends on secure, level cabinets and confirmed sink or appliance details. Custom glass, stone, or specialty fabrication may introduce a second measurement-and-production period. Mark those points on the schedule rather than assuming every item arrives together.
6. Commission the kitchen before calling it complete
- Open every door and drawer and check adjacent collisions.
- Confirm appliances are installed, level, connected by the appropriate people, and operating as intended.
- Check sinks, faucets, drains, shutoffs, sealants, lighting, outlets, ventilation, and access panels.
- Review cabinet adjustment, counter joints, backsplash, flooring transitions, paint, trim, and touch-ups under normal lighting.
- Collect manuals, care instructions, warranty information, spare materials, permits or inspection records, and the final deficiency list.
Turn the sequence into a project plan
Use JT’s kitchen planning checklist to organize decisions and the timeline guide to identify schedule drivers. For coordinated kitchen renovations in Richmond Hill and the GTA, request a walkthrough with the layout, appliance list, and desired finish level available.