So you’re thinking about getting your kitchen modified? Good. Let me tell you what’s actually involved – no fluff, just the real deal.
Look, I’ve seen enough kitchen disasters to know that going in blind is… well, it’s not smart. Whether you’re in Melbourne or anywhere else really, the process is pretty much the same. And trust me, knowing what’s coming makes everything smoother.
## **First Things First – The Initial Chat**
This is where it all starts. You pick up the phone (or shoot an email) and have that first conversation. Here’s what happens:
– Someone comes out to look at your kitchen
– They measure stuff. Lots of measuring
– You talk about what drives you crazy about your current setup
– They throw ideas at you – some good, some… interesting
– You get a quote that either makes you smile or reach for a stiff drink
The good companies? They listen more than they talk. If they’re pushing their ideas without hearing yours first, red flag.
## **Planning Stage (AKA Where Dreams Meet Reality)**
Okay so you’ve decided to go ahead. Now what?
This is where things get real. You’ll be looking at:
**Design layouts** – where everything goes. And I mean everything. That corner cabinet you hate? Now’s the time to fix it
**Material selection** – benchtops, splashbacks, cabinet finishes. Pro tip: don’t just look at samples in the showroom. Ask to see them in different lighting
**Timeline discussions** – they’ll tell you 2-3 weeks. Add a week. Trust me on this one
**Budget finalisation** – this is where you discover that gorgeous stone benchtop costs HOW MUCH?!
## **The Prep Work Nobody Talks About**
Before anyone swings a hammer, you’ve got homework:
– Clear out your kitchen. Yes, everything
– Set up a temporary kitchen somewhere (microwave in the dining room, anyone?)
– Warn the neighbours. Seriously. Do it
– Stock up on takeaway menus
– Maybe plan a holiday for the really noisy days?
## **Demo Day and Beyond**
This is where it gets… dusty. Really dusty.
**Week 1:** They rip out the old stuff. It’s loud. It’s messy. Your house looks like a construction zone because, well, it is
**Week 2-3:** New stuff goes in. Cabinets first, then benchtops, then all the finishing touches
**Final days:** Splashbacks, handles, soft-close mechanisms (if you’re fancy), and cleanup
## **What Can Go Wrong (Because Let’s Be Real)**
I’m not trying to scare you but…
– Hidden water damage behind cabinets
– Electrical wiring that’s not up to code
– Walls that aren’t straight (spoiler: they never are)
– That perfect benchtop? On backorder for 6 weeks
– Budget creep. It’s real and it’s hungry
## **The Final Walkthrough**
This is important. Really important.
Check everything:
– Do all the drawers open smoothly?
– Are the benchtops level? (bring a marble, roll it around)
– Is everything sealed properly?
– Do the soft-close hinges actually… you know… soft close?
Don’t feel bad about being picky. This is your kitchen. You’ll be living with it for years.
## **The Part They Don’t Put in Brochures**
Here’s the thing – a good kitchen modification team makes all the difference. They show up when they say they will. They clean up after themselves. They don’t disappear for days without explanation.
And when something goes wrong (because something always does), they fix it without making you feel like you’re being difficult.
## **So What’s It Really Like?**
Honestly? It’s a bit of a rollercoaster. One day you’re excited about your new stone benchtops, the next day you’re eating cereal standing over the bathroom sink wondering what you’ve done.
But then it’s finished. And suddenly you’ve got this kitchen that actually works. Where you can open the dishwasher AND the pantry at the same time. Where there’s actual storage for all your stuff.
Worth it? Absolutely.
Just… maybe book that holiday for week two.
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*Remember, every kitchen modification is different. What worked for your neighbour might not work for you. Get multiple quotes, ask lots of questions, and don’t let anyone pressure you into decisions you’re not comfortable with. Your kitchen, your rules.*