THE KITCHEN RENOVATION GUIDE
From first plan to first meal.
A curated kitchen is more than a cabinet order. Dream Homes Designs leads the design, with Wrench Works Plumbing Co. and Renaissance Electrical Company coordinating plumbing and electrical work as part of our full-service team.
START WITH YOUR BUILDING DETAILS →- 01
Start with your building requirements
For a co-op or condo, request the alteration agreement, renovation rules and contractor documentation checklist from your managing agent. Share them with us first. For a house, we begin with the property conditions and proposed scope.
Bring: alteration agreement, building rules, management contact and any existing plans.
Co-op & condo planning checklist → - 02
Inspect thermal patterns and moisture
Every in-home estimate and design consultation includes a thermal and moisture inspection using specialist instruments. We review accessible areas for temperature patterns, elevated moisture and visible water damage. Signs of leaks or possible mold prompt further investigation and an agreed correction plan before new work conceals the affected area. These readings do not confirm or rule out mold; further assessment and repairs are scoped separately.
Prepare: provide access to the project area and tell us about leaks, staining or previous water damage.
- 03
Check the electrical panel first
Renaissance Electrical Company begins its electrical review with the existing panel, available breaker spaces, service capacity and the loads of your proposed appliances. We determine whether the existing system can support the kitchen or whether a panel or service upgrade is needed. Countertop circuits, dedicated appliance circuits, lighting and applicable GFCI/AFCI protection are planned for the actual layout and current NYC requirements, rather than a fixed circuit count.
Bring: appliance specifications and access to the existing electrical panel.
- 04
Review valves and water-supply piping
Wrench Works Plumbing Co. checks shutoff valves and plans replacements for worn, leaking or unreliable valves. We look for galvanized supply piping and assess sections needing replacement. In kitchens, we also check refrigerator supply lines for plastic tubing. Our standard is copper for new water-supply piping we install, including refrigerator lines, with connections matched to appliance requirements. Agreed replacements are documented in the scope and new connections are checked for leaks.
Checkpoint: confirm valve and supply-line replacements in the written scope.
- 05
Measure and define the scope
Document the walls, ceiling, windows, doors and appliance sizes. Discuss what stays, what changes and the way you cook. Review plumbing, electrical and ventilation constraints before settling on a layout.
Bring: room photos, approximate measurements and appliance specifications.
- 06
Curate the complete kitchen
Compare Shaker and Elegant cabinetry, cabinet heights, storage, countertops, backsplash and hardware. Discuss an island or peninsula only after checking the room. Optional proprietary under-cabinet lighting can be planned alongside the cabinetry.
Decision: approve the layout, finish direction and appliance fit.
- 07
Review an itemized proposal
Confirm the cabinet schedule, materials, installation scope and exclusions. Your proposal should distinguish cabinetry, stone, hardware, lighting and any other renovation work so everyone is working from the same plan.
Checkpoint: review the written scope, costs and selected products.
- 08
Confirm approvals before starting
Your project manager reviews building submissions, contractor documentation, permitted work hours and access requirements. We determine the permit and licensed-professional requirements for the actual work. Required building acceptance and permits must be in place before affected construction starts.
Checkpoint: confirm the accepted scope, required approvals and permitted start conditions.
- 09
Coordinate materials and protect the home
Confirm availability, delivery access and the construction sequence. Plan service interruptions, dust control, floor protection and protection of shared areas with your project manager before demolition.
Prepare: clear cabinets, arrange a temporary kitchen and agree on access.
- 10
Build, install and finish
Our in-house team carries out the agreed renovation work. Cabinet installation establishes the final dimensions for stone templating; countertops, backsplash, hardware and selected lighting follow in a coordinated sequence. Required checks happen at the appropriate stages.
Checkpoint: confirm cabinet alignment, appliance clearances and finish details.
- 11
Walk through and close out
Review doors, drawers, hardware, lighting and the finished surfaces together. Record any remaining items and review product-care information. Confirm required inspections, permit closeout and building completion documentation for the scope.
Keep: product details, care information and applicable completion documents.
Building requirements and NYC permits
Requirements depend on the proposed work. Building review and DOB requirements are separate parts of project planning. Where plans and permits are required, the appropriate licensed professionals must be involved.
NYC DOB: Renovating Kitchens & Bathrooms ↗This guide describes the planning sequence. Your project’s approved scope and requirements determine the work and schedule.