Frequently Asked Questions

Allow roughly 6 to 12 weeks from contract signing to handover for a mid-range full renovation. Cabinetry and stone fabrication take around 4 to 6 weeks as a lead-in, on-site work runs 2 to 4 weeks, and finishing adds 1 to 2 weeks. Lead times on cabinets, stone and appliances drive the front half of the project.

Most homeowners do. A renovator will usually set up a temporary kitchen station with a microwave, fridge and kettle and seal off the work zone with dust barriers. Discuss the dust-control and access plan with the provider before work starts so you know what to expect.

Renovators in our network can supply and install new appliances, often at trade pricing, or fit appliances you have purchased yourself. Confirm the appliance scope, brands and warranties in writing as part of the quote.

Warranty terms vary by provider, product and contract. Cabinetry and installation workmanship warranties are commonly 5 years or more, while appliance and tapware warranties pass through from the manufacturer (typically 2 to 5 years). Ask for all warranty terms in writing before work starts.

Many Melbourne renovators include a 3D design or render at the quote stage so you can see the kitchen before any cabinet is made. Confirm whether design and renders are included or charged separately when you compare providers.

In Victoria, domestic building work carried out as a paid contractor requires registration with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) in the relevant class. Check the registration of any renovator you engage at vba.vic.gov.au before approving work. Information here is general and not a substitute for the regulator's live record.

A written major domestic building contract is mandatory for domestic building work valued over $10,000 under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (confirm the current figure at vba.vic.gov.au or cav.vic.gov.au). The contract should set out scope, price, start and end dates, payment stages, the variations process and warranty terms.

Consumer Affairs Victoria provides a 5-business-day cooling-off period on major domestic building contracts in most circumstances. The exact start point and any exceptions depend on how and where the contract was signed - confirm with the renovator and check cav.vic.gov.au before you sign.

Apartment kitchen work often needs written owners corporation approval before it starts. Ask your owners corporation manager what documents they require, then confirm those requirements with the renovator we match you with before any work begins.

Common choices are porcelain and sintered stone, natural granite or marble, solid timber, stainless steel, laminate, and low-silica engineered stone (under 1% crystalline silica). High-silica engineered stone has been banned nationally for manufacture, supply and installation since 1 July 2024, so new benchtops use the alternatives above.

Engineered stone containing 1% or more crystalline silica was banned for manufacture, supply, processing and installation across Australia from 1 July 2024 under the model WHS Regulations administered by Safe Work Australia. Low-silica products under 1% remain legal. Existing benchtops installed before the ban are grandfathered and do not need replacing.

A butler's pantry is a secondary prep and storage room behind the main kitchen, often with a second sink and bench. It keeps the main kitchen clear for entertaining and is one of the most-requested features on larger Melbourne renovations. Whether it suits depends on your floor plan and budget - the renovator can model it at the design stage.

Most quality Melbourne kitchen renovations include soft-close runners and hinges (such as Blum or Hettich) as standard. Confirm the hardware brand and whether soft-close is included in the base price when you compare quotes.

Yes - compact galley, single-wall and apartment kitchens are a common request across inner Melbourne. The renovator we match you with can plan storage and bench space for tight footprints, including owners corporation requirements where they apply.

Nothing. We are a referral and matching service that connects Melbourne homeowners with kitchen renovation providers in our network. You deal directly with the renovator, who provides the quote and contract. We do not carry out building work ourselves.

Fill in the enquiry form with your suburb, a few details about your kitchen and the best time to reach you. We aim to respond the same day where possible and refer you to a suitable renovation provider in our network for a no-obligation quote.

No. We are a matching and referral service and do not provide building advice. Specific advice on your project, including licensing, contracts and pricing, comes from the registered renovator we connect you with. Information on this site is general in nature only.