Kitchen Refurbishment in Manchester & Greater Manchester
Transform your kitchen with a complete refurbishment from Renovate. Whether you're updating a dated galley kitchen in a Victorian terrace or creating a modern open-plan kitchen-diner, we design and install kitchens that work for your home and how you live. Full project management, all trades included, and no hidden costs.
Kitchen Refurbishment Services in Greater Manchester
The kitchen is the heart of any home—where families gather, meals are prepared, and daily life happens. If your kitchen no longer works for you, a refurbishment can transform it into a space you'll love using every day.
At Renovate, we provide complete kitchen refurbishment services across Greater Manchester. From compact galley kitchens in Manchester's Victorian terraces to spacious kitchen-diners in Trafford's family homes, we design and install kitchens suited to UK homes and how British families actually use them.
Unlike kitchen showrooms that only supply units, we manage your entire refurbishment. This includes design, all building work, electrics, plumbing, gas, plastering, tiling, flooring, and decoration. One company, one project manager, one invoice—no juggling multiple tradespeople.
What Does a Kitchen Refurbishment Include?
A kitchen refurbishment can range from replacing units and worktops to a complete remodel involving structural changes. Depending on your requirements, your refurbishment might include:
Kitchen Units and Storage
- Base units and wall units: Full range of standard UK sizes (300mm, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, 800mm, 1000mm widths) to maximise your space
- Tall units: Larder cupboards, integrated fridge/freezer housings, and full-height storage
- Corner solutions: Carousel units, magic corners, or L-shaped drawers to use awkward corner spaces
- Drawer systems: Soft-close drawers, pan drawers, internal organisers, and cutlery inserts
- Door styles: Shaker, slab, handleless, traditional raised panel, or high gloss—in painted, vinyl wrapped, or real wood finishes
Worktops
- Laminate: Budget-friendly, huge range of colours and patterns including realistic stone and wood effects. Durable and easy to maintain
- Solid wood: Oak, walnut, or beech block worktops. Warm and natural but requires regular oiling
- Quartz: Engineered stone combining durability with consistent colour. Popular brands include Silestone, Caesarstone, and Compac
- Granite: Natural stone, each piece unique. Heat resistant and extremely hard wearing
- Corian and solid surface: Seamless joints, integrated sinks, repairable scratches
- Dekton and porcelain: Ultra-thin, extremely durable, heat and scratch resistant
Appliances
- Ovens: Single or double ovens, built-in or built-under, conventional, fan, steam, or combination
- Hobs: Gas, ceramic, induction, or domino configurations. Gas hobs require Gas Safe registered installation
- Extraction: Cooker hoods (chimney, canopy, downdraft, or integrated), ducted to outside or recirculating
- Refrigeration: Integrated fridge freezers, American-style, wine coolers, under-counter units
- Dishwashers: Full-size (600mm), slimline (450mm), or integrated drawer style
- Washing machines and dryers: Integrated options to keep laundry hidden in the kitchen
Sinks and Taps
- Sink styles: Undermount, inset, Belfast/butler sinks, single or 1.5 bowl configurations
- Materials: Stainless steel, composite (granite/quartz), ceramic, or copper
- Taps: Mixer taps, separate hot/cold, pull-out spray, boiling water taps (Quooker, Grohe Red, Franke)
Building Works
- Wall removal: Knocking through to dining rooms to create open plan kitchen diners (structural engineer and Building Regs required)
- Layout changes: Moving sinks, relocating cookers, repositioning doors
- Plastering: Making good walls, removing old tiles, creating smooth finishes
- Flooring: LVT, ceramic/porcelain tiles, engineered wood, or laminate
- Tiling: Splashbacks, full wall tiling, or feature areas
- Decoration: Painting walls and ceilings to complete the transformation
Gas Safe and Part P Certified
All gas work (hobs, cookers, boilers) is completed by Gas Safe registered engineers. All electrical work meets Part P Building Regulations and is certified. You receive all necessary certificates on completion.
Kitchen Layouts for UK Homes
British homes vary enormously, from compact Victorian terraces to modern new builds. We design kitchens that work within your space:
Galley Kitchens
Common in Victorian and Edwardian terraces across Manchester, galley kitchens have units on two parallel walls. Whilst compact, a well designed galley kitchen can be highly efficient. We maximise storage with full height units, use light colours and good lighting to prevent the space feeling cramped, and ensure the workflow between sink, hob, and fridge works properly.
L-Shaped Kitchens
Found in many semi-detached homes and newer properties, L-shaped layouts use two adjacent walls. This leaves floor space for a dining table or island. Corner units can be tricky—we use carousel systems or magic corners to ensure no space is wasted.
U-Shaped Kitchens
Three walls of units provide maximum storage and worktop space. Common in larger kitchens or where the kitchen occupies its own room. Requires careful planning to avoid feeling enclosed—we balance wall units with open shelving or glazed cabinets.
Open-Plan Kitchen-Diners
The most requested layout in recent years. Knocking through from kitchen to dining room creates a sociable space for modern family life. Often includes an island or peninsula providing additional workspace, storage, and casual seating. Requires careful consideration of extraction, sight lines, and defining zones within the open space.
Kitchen Islands
Islands work in larger kitchens, typically requiring at least 1000mm clearance around all sides for comfortable movement. Islands can incorporate sinks, hobs, storage, wine coolers, or breakfast bars. Services (water, waste, electrics, gas) need routing through the floor—something we plan carefully during the design phase.
The Kitchen Refurbishment Process
A kitchen refurbishment involves multiple trades working in sequence. Here's how we manage your project:
Design Consultation
We visit your home to measure your kitchen, discuss how you use the space, understand your requirements, and talk through options and budget. You'll see initial layout ideas and discuss unit styles, worktops, and appliances.
Detailed Design
We produce detailed kitchen plans showing unit layouts, elevations, and 3D renders so you can visualise your new kitchen. We refine the design based on your feedback and finalise specifications for units, worktops, appliances, and finishes.
Quotation
You receive a comprehensive quotation covering everything—kitchen units, worktops, appliances, and all installation works including electrics, plumbing, gas, plastering, tiling, flooring, and decoration. No hidden extras.
Strip Out
We carefully remove your existing kitchen, disposing of old units responsibly. We protect flooring and adjacent rooms. Any underlying issues (damp, damaged plaster, old wiring) are identified and addressed.
First Fix
Electrical wiring is installed for new socket positions, lighting, and appliances. Plumbing is roughed in for sink and appliance locations. Gas pipework is installed if repositioning the hob. Any structural work (wall removal, steels) is completed.
Plastering
Walls are plastered or made good to provide perfect surfaces for tiling and painting. Ceilings are repaired or re skimmed if needed. We allow proper drying time before decoration.
Kitchen Fitting
Units are installed level and plumb, starting with base units, then tall units, then wall units. Worktops are templated and fitted (stone worktops require a separate templating visit). Doors are adjusted for perfect alignment.
Second Fix
Sinks and taps are connected. Appliances are installed and connected Gas Safe engineer for gas appliances. Electrician completes socket and switch fitting. Lighting is connected and tested.
Finishing
Splashback tiling is completed. Flooring is laid (or protected existing flooring is revealed). Walls and ceilings are decorated. Handles are fitted. Silicone sealing around sinks, worktops, and splashbacks is completed.
Handover
We demonstrate appliances, hand over manuals and warranties, complete final snagging, and ensure you're completely happy with your new kitchen. You receive Gas Safe and electrical certificates.
Electrical Requirements for Kitchens
Modern kitchens have significant electrical demands. Your refurbishment may require electrical upgrades:
- Circuits: Electric ovens and hobs typically require dedicated circuits. Induction hobs often need 32A supplies
- Socket outlets: Building Regulations recommend socket outlets above worktops are positioned at least 300mm from the hob
- Consumer unit: Older properties may need consumer unit upgrades to accommodate additional circuits and RCD protection
- Lighting: Under-cabinet lighting, plinth lighting, pendant lights over islands, and dimmable ceiling spots are common upgrades
- USB sockets: Integrated USB charging points are increasingly popular for charging devices
All electrical work in kitchens must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. Our electricians are registered with a competent persons scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA) and provide certificates for all work.
Kitchen Ventilation and Extraction
Proper ventilation is essential in kitchens to remove cooking odours, steam, and grease. Building Regulations Part F requires kitchens to have either:
- An openable window (or windows) with opening area at least 1/20th of the floor area, OR
- Mechanical extraction capable of extracting at least 60 litres per second (intermittent) or 13 litres per second (continuous)
Cooker hoods ducted to the outside are most effective, removing moisture and grease from the building entirely. Recirculating hoods with carbon filters are an alternative where ducting isn't possible, though they don't remove moisture. We advise on the best solution for your kitchen during the design phase.
Kitchen Refurbishments Across Greater Manchester
We refurbish kitchens throughout Greater Manchester, working with all property types found across the region:
Victorian terraces in Chorlton and Didsbury often have compact rear kitchens we're experienced at maximising these spaces or creating rear extensions for larger kitchen diners. 1930s semis in Trafford and Stockport frequently have separate kitchens and dining rooms that work brilliantly when opened up. We understand the challenges and opportunities of Greater Manchester's housing stock.
Free Kitchen Design Consultation
Not sure what's possible in your kitchen? We offer free home consultations to measure your space, discuss your requirements, and show you what we can achieve. No obligation, no hard sell just honest advice. Contact us to arrange your visit.
Why Choose Renovate for Your Kitchen Refurbishment?
- Complete service: Design, supply, and full installation including all building work, electrics, plumbing, gas, tiling, flooring, and decoration
- One point of contact: Your project manager coordinates everything—no chasing multiple tradespeople
- Fixed-price quotations: Detailed quotes with no hidden costs. The price we quote is the price you pay
- Quality units: We supply quality units with soft-close hinges and drawers as standard, not budget flat-pack
- Expert fitting: Experienced kitchen fitters who take pride in perfect installation
- All certifications: Gas Safe certificates, Part P electrical certificates, warranties—all paperwork provided
- Minimal disruption: We plan carefully to minimise the time you're without a kitchen, typically providing temporary cooking facilities
- 12-month warranty: All installation work guaranteed for 12 months, plus manufacturer warranties on units and appliances
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Refurbishment
How long does a kitchen refurbishment take?
+A straightforward kitchen replacement with no layout changes typically takes 2-3 weeks. Kitchen refurbishments involving layout changes, new electrics, and plastering usually take 3-4 weeks. If we're knocking through walls or creating an extension, allow 6-12 weeks depending on scope. We provide a detailed programme at quotation stage and arrange temporary cooking facilities to minimise disruption.
Do I need Building Regulations approval for a new kitchen?
+A like-for-like kitchen replacement generally doesn't require Building Regulations approval. However, approval is required if you're knocking through walls, making structural changes, or significantly altering electrical or gas installations. All electrical work must comply with Part P and be certified. Gas work must be completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. We handle all necessary approvals and provide certificates.
Can you knock through my kitchen and dining room?
+Yes, creating open-plan kitchen-diners is one of our most popular requests. If the wall is load-bearing (most internal walls between kitchen and dining room in Victorian and Edwardian houses are), we'll need a structural engineer to design steelwork and Building Regulations approval. We manage the entire process including Party Wall notices if required. The result transforms how you use your home.
What worktop material should I choose?
+It depends on your budget and priorities. Laminate offers excellent value with huge choice. Solid wood is warm and can be sanded/refinished but needs regular oiling. Quartz is extremely durable, low maintenance, and available in consistent colours. Granite is natural and unique but requires sealing. We'll discuss options during your design consultation and help you choose based on how you'll use your kitchen.
Can I have a gas hob with an induction hob socket?
+Gas and electric hobs have completely different requirements. Gas hobs need a gas supply and Gas Safe installation; induction hobs need a high-amperage electrical supply (usually 32A). If you're switching from one to the other, additional work is required. If you're undecided, we can install both gas and electric supplies during the refurbishment so you can choose later or change in future.
Do I need to move out during the refurbishment?
+Most customers stay in their homes during kitchen refurbishment. We'll set up temporary cooking facilities usually a microwave, kettle, and temporary hob in another room—so you can prepare basic meals. You'll have limited kitchen access during installation, typically 2-4 weeks. If you prefer to stay elsewhere, that can speed up the work slightly, but it's not essential.
Should I buy my own kitchen units or get them from you?
+We recommend supplying and fitting as a package. This means one point of responsibility if anything is wrong with units, we sort it. If you supply your own kitchen, we can fit it, but we can't be responsible for quality issues, missing parts, or damage. DIY kitchens from Howdens, Wren, or Magnet can work well, but ensure the design is correct before ordering—mistakes are costly.
Will my kitchen look dated quickly?
+Classic designs age better than trendy ones. Shaker style doors, neutral colours, and quality materials stand the test of time. Bold colours and very contemporary styles can date faster. We advise choosing timeless base designs and adding personality through easily-changed elements like wall colour, accessories, and handles. A well-designed kitchen should look good for 15-20 years.
What's included in your kitchen quotes?
+Our quotes cover everything: design, kitchen units, worktops, handles, appliances (if required), sink and taps, plus all installation including strip-out, electrics, plumbing, gas, plastering, tiling, flooring, and decoration. We itemise everything so you can see exactly what's included. There are no hidden costs—what we quote is what you pay.
How do I get a quote for my kitchen?
+Contact us to arrange a free home design consultation. We'll visit at a time convenient for you, measure your kitchen, discuss your requirements and budget, and show you design options. Following the visit, we'll prepare detailed designs and a comprehensive quotation, usually within a week. There's no obligation and no pressure take your time to decide.
Ready for Your Dream Kitchen?
Let's discuss your kitchen refurbishment project. Get a free home consultation and detailed quote with no obligation.