Before you enquire
Two things make the first conversation much more useful: photos of your kitchen from a few angles, and a rough idea of whether you want to keep the layout or change it. Everything else can be worked out at the measure.
Where to read more
Money. Guide bands, the four decisions that carry the cost, and what else belongs in the budget — kitchen renovation cost.
Timing. Every stage with realistic durations — how a renovation runs.
Layout. Clearances, zones and the layouts that suit local housing — layout and design.
Units. By-laws, approvals, access and extraction limits — apartment and strata kitchens.
Two kitchens. What a back kitchen needs and where it can go — second and wok kitchens.
Materials. Benchtops and splashbacks, cabinet door finishes and kitchen lighting in layers.
Still not answered?
Ask. Call 02 4404 0245 or send your kitchen details through and we will answer it properly rather than generically.
Questions people ask before they commit
Do I need council approval to replace my kitchen?
In a house, replacing a kitchen without changing the structure is generally exempt development in NSW, so no approval is needed. Removing a load-bearing wall, altering the roof or increasing the floor area is a different matter and needs approval. In a unit, the owners corporation generally has to approve the work regardless of council.
How much deposit can a builder ask for?
Under NSW home building law the maximum deposit is 10 per cent of the contract price. Progress payments should follow completed stages, and you should never be asked to pay for work that has not been done.
Why can't I get engineered stone?
It was banned across Australia from 1 July 2024 because cutting, grinding and polishing it exposes workers to respirable crystalline silica, which causes silicosis. The ban applies to manufacture, supply and installation, so no legitimate builder can offer it.
What can I have instead?
Porcelain and sintered slabs are the closest visual match and are extremely hard-wearing. Natural granite and marble, solid surface acrylic, high-pressure laminate, stainless steel and timber are all available, and each behaves differently around heat, acid and moisture.
How long will we be without a kitchen?
Usually two to four weeks on site. Cabinetry is manufactured before the old kitchen comes out, so the time without a kitchen is the install period rather than the whole project.
What is the longest wait in the job?
The benchtop. It cannot be templated until the cabinets are installed, and then it has to be fabricated and returned — commonly three to ten working days depending on the material.
Can you keep the existing layout?
Yes, and it is the best-value scope available. Leaving the sink, cooktop and dishwasher in place avoids relocating plumbing, gas and electrical, and puts the budget into cabinetry, hardware and lighting instead of trade visits.
Can the wall between the kitchen and dining room come out?
Often, but whether it carries load is established first. Where it does, a structural engineer designs a beam and approval may be required. Where it does not, an opening is straightforward. A wide doorway or a bench-height servery are cheaper alternatives that suit a lot of homes here.
What about asbestos?
Homes built or renovated before about 1990 may contain asbestos in wall sheeting, floor coverings, vinyl backing or the old splashback. Anything suspect is tested before it is disturbed, and removal is carried out by a separately licensed asbestos removalist, quoted separately.
Can I add a second kitchen for wok cooking?
Yes, and it is a common brief in this area. The essentials are extraction ducted to outside, a properly sized gas line or electrical circuit, heat-tolerant surfaces, and licensed plumbing and electrical work. Where it goes depends on the house.
What does an itemised quote include?
Cabinetry, benchtop, splashback, plumbing, gas, electrical, appliance installation, sink and tapware, patching, flooring, painting, making good, waste removal and cleaning, each on its own line, plus any engineering or hazardous-materials work identified.
Do you charge for the design consultation?
No. The on-site measure and design consultation are free, and the drawings come with your quote.
Who carries out the work?
Kitchen renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on your discovery call, or whenever you ask.
Do you have reviews?
This is a new site, so there are none to show. We would rather say that plainly than invent them.