If you're a homeowner in Bognor Regis, Chichester, Arundel, or anywhere across West Sussex, you've probably wondered what actually goes into a full kitchen renovation. It's one of the most common questions we hear: and for good reason. A kitchen isn't just another room; it's the heart of your home, where families gather, meals are shared, and memories are made.
Understanding exactly what's included helps you plan properly, budget accurately, and avoid those unwelcome surprises that can derail even the most exciting home improvement project. Whether you're updating a tired galley kitchen in Felpham or transforming a dated space in Aldwick into a stunning open-plan design, here's everything you can expect from a comprehensive kitchen renovation with Swanbourne Construction.
Stage 1: Design Consultation and Planning
Every successful kitchen renovation starts long before anyone picks up a tool. The design and planning phase is where your vision takes shape: and where potential problems get solved on paper rather than mid-project.
What this includes:
- Initial consultation to discuss your requirements, lifestyle, and budget
- Professional measurements and site survey of your existing kitchen
- Detailed floor plans and layout options
- 3D visualisations so you can see your new kitchen before work begins
- Material and finish selections (units, worktops, splashbacks, flooring)
- Timeline planning and scheduling
For West Sussex properties: particularly older homes in areas like Arundel or period cottages around Yapton: this stage often involves assessing structural considerations and identifying any potential complications early.
Stage 2: Stripping Out the Old Kitchen
Once the design is finalised and you've given the go-ahead, the physical work begins. The strip-out phase involves carefully removing your existing kitchen to prepare for the new installation.
What this includes:
- Disconnection of all appliances, plumbing, and electrics
- Removal of existing units, worktops, and splashbacks
- Taking up old flooring if required
- Disposing of waste responsibly (we handle all rubbish removal)
- Preparing walls and floors for the new installation
This stage typically takes one to two days depending on the size and complexity of your existing kitchen. We always protect surrounding areas of your home to minimise dust and disruption: something particularly important in the family homes we work on across Pagham, Middleton-on-Sea, and Littlehampton.
Stage 3: Structural Work and Alterations
Not every kitchen renovation requires structural changes, but many do. If you're knocking through to create an open-plan kitchen-diner, removing a supporting wall, or reconfiguring the layout significantly, this is where that work happens.
What this might include:
- Removing internal walls (with appropriate structural support)
- Installing steel beams or RSJs where load-bearing walls are affected
- Creating new openings for windows or doors
- Relocating doorways
- Lowering or raising floor levels
Any structural alterations in West Sussex must comply with Building Regulations, and depending on the scope, you may need Building Control approval. At Swanbourne Construction, we handle all regulatory requirements and liaise with local authorities on your behalf: whether that's West Sussex County Council or your local district planning department.
For more information on UK building regulations, the Planning Portal offers helpful guidance for homeowners.
Stage 4: First Fix – Plumbing and Electrical Rough-In
Before your beautiful new units go in, the essential services need to be in place. The first fix stage involves running all the pipes, cables, and connections that will be hidden behind your finished kitchen.
What this includes:
- Plumbing: Hot and cold water supply pipes, waste pipes for sink and appliances, gas supply relocation if needed
- Electrical: New circuits for appliances, socket positioning, lighting cables, extractor fan wiring
- Heating: Radiator repositioning or underfloor heating installation
All electrical work must meet Part P Building Regulations, and any gas work requires a Gas Safe registered engineer: both standards we adhere to on every project. This protects you legally and ensures your kitchen is safe for your family.
Stage 5: Plastering, Flooring, and Wall Preparation
With the first fix complete, your kitchen space gets prepared for the final finishes. This stage creates the blank canvas your new kitchen will be installed onto.
What this includes:
- Plastering walls and ceilings where required
- Laying new flooring (tiles, vinyl, engineered wood, or other materials)
- Preparing walls for splashbacks or tiling
- Any necessary damp-proofing or remedial work
In many West Sussex homes: especially older properties around Barnham, Eastergate, and Westergate: this stage might reveal unexpected issues like old plaster that needs replacing or uneven floors that require levelling. An experienced local builder knows what to look for and how to address these challenges without derailing your project.
Stage 6: Kitchen Unit Installation
This is the stage where your kitchen really starts to take shape. Unit installation is skilled work that requires precision: millimetres matter when you want doors to align perfectly and drawers to glide smoothly.
What this includes:
- Installing base units with precise levelling
- Fitting wall units securely (especially important on older walls)
- Installing tall units, larder cupboards, and pantry storage
- Fitting end panels, plinths, and decorative features
- Hanging doors and adjusting hinges for perfect alignment
- Installing drawer boxes and runners
Whether you've chosen a sleek handleless design for a contemporary Chichester townhouse or a classic shaker style for a cottage in the South Downs, proper installation is what transforms flat-pack or bespoke units into a cohesive, functional kitchen.
Stage 7: Worktop Installation
Your worktops are one of the most visible and hardworking elements of your new kitchen. Professional worktop installation ensures a perfect fit, proper support, and seamless joins.
What this includes:
- Templating (for stone worktops, this happens after units are fitted)
- Cutting and fitting worktops to exact dimensions
- Creating cut-outs for sinks, hobs, and pop-up sockets
- Joining sections with invisible or near-invisible seams
- Fitting upstands or splashbacks
- Sealing edges and joints
Popular worktop choices for West Sussex kitchens include quartz (durable and low-maintenance), granite (natural beauty), solid wood (warmth and character), and high-quality laminate (budget-friendly without compromising on style).
Stage 8: Second Fix – Final Plumbing and Electrical
With units and worktops in place, your kitchen is ready for the second fix: connecting everything up and making it functional.
What this includes:
- Installing and connecting the sink and taps
- Fitting the hob and connecting to gas or electric supply
- Installing the oven, microwave, and other built-in appliances
- Connecting the dishwasher, washing machine, and fridge/freezer
- Fitting sockets, switches, and USB charging points
- Installing kitchen lighting (under-cabinet, pendant, downlights)
- Fitting and connecting the extractor fan or cooker hood
Stage 9: Splashbacks, Tiling, and Finishing Touches
The final visual elements bring everything together. This stage adds the finishing touches that make your kitchen feel complete and polished.
What this includes:
- Tiling splashback areas (ceramic, porcelain, metro tiles, or mosaics)
- Installing glass or stone splashbacks
- Fitting handles and knobs
- Siliconing around sinks, worktops, and edges
- Touch-up painting and decorating
- Final adjustments to doors, drawers, and hinges
Stage 10: Final Inspection and Handover
A professional kitchen renovation doesn't end when the last tile is grouted. The final stage ensures everything meets our standards: and yours.
What this includes:
- Thorough quality inspection of all work
- Testing all appliances and connections
- Demonstrating features and operation
- Professional deep clean
- Removing all waste and packaging
- Handover of warranties, certificates, and documentation
- Aftercare support and any snagging work
Why Choose a Full-Service Kitchen Renovation?
Attempting a kitchen renovation piecemeal: hiring separate trades for plumbing, electrics, tiling, and installation: often leads to coordination headaches, finger-pointing when things go wrong, and a project that drags on far longer than necessary.
A full-service renovation with a trusted local builder means one point of contact, one team responsible for the entire project, and one company ensuring everything comes together on time and on budget.
At Swanbourne Construction, we've been transforming kitchens across Bognor Regis, Chichester, Arundel, and West Sussex for over 20 years. We understand the unique challenges of local properties: from Victorian terraces to modern estates: and we bring the expertise to handle every aspect of your renovation.
Ready to discuss your kitchen project? View examples of our work on our previous projects page, or get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us on 07470 078236 or visit our Bognor Regis page to learn more about how we work with local homeowners just like you.