27 Essential Questions to Ask Kitchen Renovators in Melbourne (Before You Sign Anything)

Planning a new kitchen is exciting – but also a bit overwhelming. You’re about to spend serious money, let trades walk through your home, and live without a working kitchen for a few weeks. The right kitchen renovator in Melbourne will make that process smooth. The wrong one can turn it into a headache.

One of the simplest ways to protect yourself is to ask better questions before you sign anything.

This guide walks you through key questions to ask a kitchen renovator in Melbourne, plus what a good answer should sound like. Use it as a checklist when you speak with APD Design or any other renovation company.

Questions About Experience, Licensing & Local Knowledge

1. How long have you been renovating kitchens in Melbourne?

You want a team that understands Melbourne homes, suburbs and council expectations – not just generic renovation theory. Ask:

• How many years they’ve been working locally
  
• What types of homes they usually work on (apartments, period homes, new builds, townhouses)
  
• Whether they can show you recent Melbourne projects similar to yours
  

A strong renovator will comfortably talk about projects in suburbs like Hawthorn, Kew, Essendon, Nunawading, Port Melbourne, etc., and explain how those homes influenced the design.

2. Are you licensed and insured for kitchen renovations in Victoria?

Always confirm:

• Are you a registered builder or licensed trade in Victoria (where required)?
  
• Do you hold public liability insurance and any relevant insurances for your team and subcontractors?
  

Ask to see proof if you’re unsure. A professional kitchen renovator will not be offended – they’ll expect the question.

3. Do you specialise in kitchens, or do you do “a bit of everything”?

Some companies dabble in everything from decks to driveways. For a major kitchen renovation, it’s safer to choose a team that:

• Regularly designs and builds kitchens, not once in a while
  
• Understands workflow, storage, appliance integration, and compliance in detail
  

Specialists usually have clearer processes, better suppliers, and more polished outcomes.

Questions About Design & 3D Planning

4. Do you offer a full kitchen design service, not just installation?

A good renovator shouldn’t only “install what you tell them”. They should help you with:

• Layout options (L-shape, galley, U-shape, island, peninsula, etc.)
  
• Storage planning for your cooking habits
  
• Appliance positioning and power/water planning
  
• Practical circulation space and clearances
  

Ask whether they provide concept design, detailed design, and final drawings before you commit.

5. Will I see 3D visuals or detailed drawings before we go ahead?

3D plans and elevations are crucial for avoiding misunderstandings. Ask:

• Will you show my new kitchen in 3D, not just a basic sketch?
  
• Do the drawings include measurements, cabinet details and heights?
  
• Can we make revisions before final sign-off?
  

A quality kitchen renovator will walk you through the design on screen, explaining how each element will look and function in real life.

6. How will you make sure the design suits my lifestyle?

Every household uses the kitchen differently. Ask:

• How do you find out about our cooking style, storage needs and daily routine?
  
• Will you ask about kids, pets, entertaining, or multi-generational living?
  
• Do you design for accessibility (for example, if someone has mobility issues)?
  

You’re looking for a process that starts with questions about you, not just “what colour do you want?”.

7. Can you help me choose a style that suits my home?

In Melbourne, you’ll often see a mix of:

• Modern and contemporary kitchens
  
• Hamptons and coastal styles
  
• Scandinavian-inspired, minimalist or mid-century looks
  

Ask your renovator:

• Do you help match the kitchen style to the existing architecture?
  
• Can you show me real project photos in the style I like?
  

They should talk about light, existing flooring, wall colours and the overall feel of your home – not just show you random Pinterest pictures.

Questions About Materials, Products & Local Manufacturing

8. Where are the cabinets and joinery made?

Many Melbourne homeowners now prefer locally made cabinetry for quality and after-sales support. Ask:

• Are the cabinets made locally or imported?
  
• What materials do you use for carcasses and doors?
  
• Do you use moisture-resistant boards for areas near sinks and dishwashers?
  

Look for answers that mention reputable Australian or European suppliers and robust construction methods.

9. What brands of hardware and fittings do you use?

Drawer runners, hinges and internal hardware are used multiple times every day. Ask:

• What hardware brands do you use?
  
• Do they come with long warranties (for example, lifetime on certain hinges and runners)?
  
• Are soft-close doors and drawers standard?
  

Good renovators will specify well-known, reliable brands and explain why they’ve chosen them.

10. Can you help me select benchtops, splashbacks, tiles and other finishes?

You shouldn’t be left alone to guess. Ask:

• Will you guide me through benchtop options (engineered stone, laminate, porcelain, etc.) and explain pros and cons?
  
• Do you advise on splashback materials and tile sizes?
  
• Can you help with handles, tapware and lighting selections so the whole space feels cohesive?
  

Ideally, your kitchen renovator has a showroom or samples where you can see and touch materials before deciding.

11. Are your products and finishes suitable for busy family use?

If you have kids, pets or a very active household, ask:

• Are these finishes resistant to stains, knocks and fingerprints?
  
• What benchtop would you recommend if we cook a lot and don’t want to baby it?
  
• How should we maintain the surfaces long-term?
  

Good renovators will be honest. If a pure white matte surface will drive you mad, they should say so.

Questions About Budget, Quotes & Scope of Work

12. Can you provide a clear, itemised quote?

Avoid vague, one-line quotes. Ask for a breakdown that includes:

• Cabinetry and benchtops
  
• Splashback and tiling
  
• Appliances (if supplied)
  
• Plumbing and electrical
  
• Demolition, removal of old kitchen and rubbish
  
• Flooring (if included)
  
• Painting and finishing touches
  

This makes it easier to compare renovators and identify cost differences.

13. What is included – and not included – in your price?

This is where many surprises hide. Ask:

• Does your quote include trades like electricians, plumbers, plasterers and tilers?
  
• Is flooring included or handled separately?
  
• Who pays for permits or council approvals if needed?
  

You want a written scope of works that makes it clear where your renovator’s responsibilities stop and yours begin.

14. Will you work within my budget, and how can we stage the project if needed?

Be upfront about your budget. Then ask:

• What can realistically be done within this figure in Melbourne?
  
• If we need to reduce cost, what are sensible compromises (for example, changing finishes, not layout)?
  
• Can we renovate in stages – for example, kitchen now, laundry later – without redoing work?
  

A good renovator will be honest and help you invest where it matters most.

15. Are there any common “extra costs” I should be aware of?

Especially in older Melbourne homes, unexpected issues can appear. Ask:

• What are the most common unforeseen costs you see (for example, rewiring, plumbing, levelling floors)?
  
• How do you handle variations – do I approve them in writing with pricing before you proceed?
  

You’re looking for transparency and a clear process around variations.

Questions About Timeline, Trades & Project Management

16. How long will the whole kitchen renovation take?

There are two timelines to understand:

• Design & approvals – how long from first meeting to final design sign-off
  
• On-site work – how long your kitchen will be out of action
  

Ask:

• What is your typical timeframe from sign-off to installation?
  
• How long am I without a usable kitchen?
  
• What factors can delay the schedule (for example, stone lead times, complex layouts)?
  

Make sure they talk about realistic Melbourne timelines, not “best case scenario only”.

17. Do you manage all the trades, or do I need to?

Some renovators:

• Fully project-manage all trades
  
• Others coordinate trades but you contract them directly
  
• Some expect you to arrange your own tradies
  

Ask:

• Who books and supervises trades like plumber, electrician, plasterer, tiler and installer?
  
• Who is my main point of contact if there’s an issue on site?
  
• Do I get a schedule so I know what’s happening each week?
  

Clear project management makes a huge difference to how stressful the renovation feels.

18. How disruptive will the renovation be to my household?

You’ll want to know:

• How much dust, noise and access disruption to expect
  
• Whether they protect floors and nearby rooms
  
• If they can set up a temporary cooking area (for example, a portable cooktop or microwave space)
  

A considerate renovator will explain what they do to minimise disruption and keep the site clean and safe.

Questions About Quality, Warranty & After-Care

19. What kind of warranty do you offer on cabinetry, hardware and workmanship?

Warranties tell you a lot about how confident a renovator is in their work. Ask:

• How many years is the warranty on cabinets?
  
• Are hardware components (hinges, runners) covered separately?
  
• What is the warranty on benchtops and other surfaces?
  
• Is installation workmanship covered?
  

Make sure you receive warranty terms in writing, not just verbally.

20. How do you ensure quality during manufacturing and installation?

Good renovators have a defined quality process. Ask:

• Do you have a checklist or quality control process before cabinets leave the factory?
  
• Who checks measurements on site before manufacturing?
  
• Is there a final inspection or walkthrough after installation?
  

You want to hear about systematic checks, not just “our guys are good”.

21. What happens if something goes wrong after the kitchen is finished?

No project is perfect. The real test is how your renovator handles issues. Ask:

• Who do I contact if a door warps, a drawer sticks, or a panel is damaged later?
  
• How quickly do you normally respond to after-sales issues?
  
• Are small adjustments included, or do you charge a call-out fee?
  

This will give you a feel for their attitude to customer care.

Questions Specific to Older Melbourne Homes & Complex Renovations

22. Have you worked on older period homes or terraces like mine?

If you’re in a Victorian, Edwardian, Californian bungalow or 1960s/70s brick home, ask:

• Have you renovated kitchens in similar homes?
  
• How do you deal with uneven floors, unusual walls, existing cornices or ceiling roses?
  
• Can you blend the new kitchen with heritage details if I want to keep them?
  

Older homes need more planning – experience counts here.

23. Are there special considerations or extra costs in older homes?

Common issues include:

• Rewiring outdated electrical circuits
  
• Upgrading plumbing
  
• Levelling or strengthening floors
  
• Matching or replacing decorative cornices
  

Ask your renovator to explain how they assess these risks up front and how they’ll communicate any changes in cost.

24. Can you coordinate other rooms as part of the project (laundry, pantry, study, etc.)?

Many Melbourne households renovate the kitchen plus laundry, walk-in pantry or living storage at the same time. Ask:

• Can you design and build joinery for other rooms as part of the same project?
  
• Does doing multiple areas at once save cost or time?
  

This is a good moment to future-proof your storage across the whole house, not just in the kitchen.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Call a Renovator

These aren’t just questions for the professionals – they’re for you too.

25. What is my real goal for this renovation?

Are you trying to:

• Improve resale value?
  
• Get more storage?
  
• Make the kitchen safer or more accessible?
  
• Create a better space for entertaining?
  

Being clear about your primary goals helps your designer prioritise budget and layout decisions.

26. What is my non-negotiable budget, and where am I flexible?

Decide:

• An “ideal” budget
  
• A “stretch” budget if the perfect design costs a bit more
  
• Areas where you refuse to compromise (for example, benchtop material, layout, or storage)
  

Sharing this honestly with your kitchen renovator will result in a more realistic, tailored proposal.

27. Am I ready for a few weeks of disruption?

No matter how good the team is, kitchen renovations are disruptive. Ask yourself:

• Can we cope with 3–5 weeks of limited cooking?
  
• Do we need to organise somewhere else to stay for part of it?
  
• Who in the household will be the main decision-maker during the project?
  

The clearer you are up front, the smoother the renovation will feel.

Final Thoughts: Turning the Questions into a Better Kitchen

The right kitchen renovator in Melbourne will welcome these questions. They’ll see them as a sign that you’re serious about getting a great outcome, not just the cheapest quote.

Use this guide as a checklist when you:

• Visit a showroom
  
• Jump on an initial call
  
• Book an in-home consultation
  

If you’re speaking with APD Design, bring this list with you. We’re happy to walk through each question, explain our design and renovation process step-by-step, and show you how we approach Melbourne kitchens with a focus on practical design, quality materials and long-term value.