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BC-06, building service

Kitchen Renovations: Cupboards, Tops and Full Remodels

Kitchen renovations from new cupboards and tops to full remodels with plumbing and electrical. Send one free request and local contractors quote you directly.

Service
Kitchen Renovations
Quotes from
Building contractors
Area
All nine provinces
Cost to you
Free, with no obligation
A kitchen being renovated with new cupboards and stone tops in a South African home
A kitchen being renovated with new cupboards and stone tops in a South African home

Kitchen renovations range from new doors and countertops on existing carcasses to a full remodel with a new layout, plumbing, electrical points, tiles and appliances. BuildingContractors.co.za helps you find people to do it. Tell us what you have in mind and where you live, and we pass your request to independent kitchen renovation contractors and kitchen installers in your area, who contact you and quote directly. We don't build kitchens ourselves, the request is free and there is no obligation to accept a quote.

What kitchen renovations can include

  • Cupboards: new carcasses and doors, or new doors on sound existing units
  • Countertops: laminate, solid wood, granite, quartz or other engineered stone
  • Building work: removing walls, moving doors and windows, new ceilings and floors
  • Services: plumbing for sinks, dishwashers and fridges; new plug points, lights and a stove circuit
  • Finishes: splashback tiles, paint, lighting and hardware

Layout, plans and compliance

Keeping the sink, stove and fridge in roughly the same positions is the simplest way to control cost. Moving them means new plumbing, drainage and electrical runs. Removing a wall to create an open-plan kitchen may need an engineer to size a beam, and structural changes usually need municipal plan approval under SANS 10400. New electrical points must be installed by a registered electrician who issues a COC, and plumbing work should be done by a registered plumber. A gas hob needs a registered gas installer and its own certificate of conformity.

Choosing kitchen renovation contractors

Some firms make and install cupboards only, while general renovation contractors handle the building, plumbing, electrical and tiling and bring in a cupboard maker. Ask who manages the whole job and who you call if something goes wrong. Look at finished kitchens: check that doors line up, edges are sealed and tops are level with neat joints. Ask about the board and hinge quality, the warranty on cupboards and how long countertops take to template and install.

Budget and timeline

Cupboards and countertops usually take the largest share of the budget, followed by appliances and building work. Natural and engineered stone tops cost more than laminate but last longer. A typical kitchen renovation takes three to six weeks, as tops are measured only once cupboards are installed. Plan how you will cook during the work. Get itemised quotes on the same layout, pay a reasonable deposit and further amounts in stages, and keep a final payment until snags are sorted.

Comparing quotes for kitchen renovations

The lowest price is not always the best value. When your quotes arrive, check:

  • Scope: what is included item by item, and which materials the contractor supplies.
  • Payment: a deposit and payments in stages as work is completed, never most of it upfront.
  • Time: the start date, how long the work will take and what happens if it runs late.
  • Compliance and guarantee: approvals and certificates needed for the job, and the guarantee on workmanship.

What to include in your request

  • Kitchen size and a sketch or photos of the current layout
  • Whether the sink, stove or walls will move
  • Cupboard and countertop finishes you prefer
  • Appliances to be built in or allowed for
  • Budget range and when you want work to start

Frequently asked questions

Do you install kitchens?
No. BuildingContractors.co.za is a free quote-request service. We pass your request to independent kitchen renovation contractors and installers near you, who contact you and quote directly. There is no fee for the request and no obligation to accept any quote.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A typical kitchen takes three to six weeks from strip-out to finish. Cupboards may take a few weeks to manufacture first, and stone countertops are measured once the cupboards are in, then cut and fitted. Building work such as moving walls or windows adds time.
Can I keep my existing cupboards?
If the carcasses are solid and dry, replacing only the doors, handles and countertops can cost much less than a new kitchen. Water-damaged or swollen carcasses, usually under the sink, should be replaced. A contractor can inspect them and quote for both options.
Do I need a COC for a kitchen renovation?
Any new or altered electrical work, such as extra plug points, a stove circuit or new lights, must be done by a registered electrician who issues a Certificate of Compliance. Plumbing should be done by a registered plumber, and gas appliances need a registered gas installer.

Kitchen Renovations by province

Kitchen Renovations by city and town

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