Don’t miss a thing — use this complete scope of works checklist to plan your Auckland kitchen reno.
Starting a kitchen renovation without a clear plan is like cooking without a recipe—things get messy fast. That’s why a detailed scope of works is essential for staying on time, on budget, and avoiding surprises.
We’ve created the ultimate kitchen renovation checklist NZ homeowners can use to map out every stage of their reno—from design to install. Whether you’re managing the process yourself or working with us at Key Interiors, this will keep you covered.
🧾 Why a Scope Checklist Matters
A good checklist helps you:
Clarify your priorities
Communicate clearly with builders/designers
Track selections and progress
Avoid missed costs or delays
✅ Kitchen Renovation Scope: What to Include
Here’s a breakdown of what your renovation scope should cover:
1. Design + Layout
Finalised floor plan
Island or peninsula design
Scullery or pantry zone
Appliance layout and clearances
Lighting and power point plan
2. Demolition + Prep
Removal of old kitchen, splashbacks, flooring
Disposal and site clean-up
Protection of adjoining rooms
Wall modifications or framing work
3. Cabinetry + Joinery
Base and overhead cabinetry
Island or peninsula cabinetry
Soft-close drawers and hinges
Handles or push-to-open systems
Panelled appliances or integration
4. Benchtops + Splashbacks
Material selection (laminate, stone, porcelain)
Edge profiles and waterfall ends
Splashback type (tile, stone, glass)
Tiling or wall finish behind splash
5. Plumbing + Fixtures
Sink type and location
Tapware finish and model
Plumbing rough-in and final fit-off
Water filters, pot fillers, insinkerators (if any)
6. Appliances
Cooktop (induction/gas)
Wall oven or underbench
Rangehood (concealed or feature)
Fridge size and water connection
Dishwasher and microwave location
7. Electrical + Lighting
Task lighting (under-cabinet, pendant)
Ambient lighting (LEDs, ceiling)
Powerpoints (incl. USBs and appliance hubs)
Rangehood and oven circuits
Switch and dimmer placements
8. Flooring + Finishes
Flooring type (tile, engineered timber, hybrid)
Skirting and transition trims
Paint colours for walls and ceiling
Feature elements (wall cladding, shelving)
9. Final Fit-Off + Styling
Handle installation
Splashback grout/seal
Appliance install and testing
Styling (bar stools, plants, open shelves)
📥 Download Your Free Checklist PDF
We’ve bundled all of this into a printable Kitchen Renovation Checklist for NZ Homes, so you can use it when getting quotes or tracking progress.
👉 Download the free checklist here
Includes bonus tips for budgeting and timelines.
💡 Bonus Tip: Set Your Scope Before You Get Quotes
Builders and trades can only quote accurately if they know exactly what’s involved. Use this checklist before contacting suppliers or signing off on plans—especially if you’re getting multiple quotes.
Want Help With the Full Process?
At Key Interiors, we offer:
In-house design and layout planning
Fixed-price quotes based on scope
Complete project management from start to finish
👉 Explore our kitchen renovation services
The scope, not the quote, is what controls your budget
People compare quotes. They should be comparing scopes.
A quote is a number attached to a list of work. If two builders are pricing different lists, comparing their numbers tells you nothing at all, and the cheaper one is usually cheaper because the list is shorter. Every "cost blowout" we have ever been asked to look at was a scope gap, not a pricing error.
So the useful discipline is this: write the scope first, give the same scope to everyone you ask to price, and make them quote against it. Then the numbers actually mean something.
Three questions to ask of every single line
For each item in the checklist above, a scope that prevents arguments answers three things:
Who supplies it? You or the builder.
Who installs it? Not always the same answer, and this is where most disputes live.
To what standard, and what happens if it doesn't fit? Particularly for anything you supply yourself.
"New oven" is not a scope line. "Client to supply 600mm built-in oven; builder to install and connect; builder to confirm cabinetry cut-out dimensions before joinery manufacture" is a scope line. The difference is a fortnight's delay and an argument about whose fault it is.
The items people forget, which is where the money goes
The checklist above covers the obvious work. These are the lines that get left out of quotes and then arrive as variations. Check every one of them is either priced or explicitly excluded.
Making good after demolition. When the old kitchen comes out there is unpainted wall, damaged plaster, and old flooring under where the cabinets were. Somebody has to fix that, and it is rarely in a cheap quote.
Rangehood ducting to outside. Not just the rangehood. The duct run, the exterior vent, and any roof or wall penetration. Recirculating instead is a decision, not a default.
Plumbing to the fridge if it has an ice maker or filtered water.
Electrical. New circuits, extra outlets, outlets in the island, switchboard capacity. Older Auckland homes frequently cannot take a modern kitchen load without a board upgrade.
Splashback, including the template, cut-outs for outlets, and installation.
Sealing the benchtop if the material needs it, and who reseals it later.
Flooring transitions where the new kitchen floor meets the hallway or living room.
Skirtings, scribes and trims where cabinetry meets an old wall.
Painting. Walls and ceiling. Very often assumed by the homeowner and excluded by the builder.
Appliance installation and connection, including gas certification if there is gas.
Handles and hardware. Frequently a PC sum, and easy to blow past.
Pantry or scullery fit-out, shelving and all.
Protection of the rest of the house, dust containment, floor protection.
Rubbish removal and disposal, including the old appliances.
Final clean.
Consent, if required, and who prepares and lodges it.
Print that list and read it against your quote. If an item is not there, ask whether it is included or excluded, and get the answer in writing.
Provisional sums, PC sums and exclusions
A well-written scope contains all three, and their presence is a sign of competence rather than evasion.
A provisional sum is an allowance for work that cannot be fully priced yet, such as repairing the floor once the old cabinetry is out. It is adjusted to actual cost.
A PC (prime cost) sum is an allowance for something you have not chosen, like tapware at $900. Choose dearer and you pay the difference.
Exclusions are what the quote deliberately does not cover. A quote with no exclusions listed has not been thought about properly.
What you want is for allowances to be few, named and realistic. A quote with no allowances at all on a 1920s bungalow is not confident, it is incomplete.
Supply and install: decide it deliberately
Supplying your own appliances or tapware can save money. It also moves the risk to you.
If a client-supplied appliance arrives late, is the wrong size, or is faulty, the builder is not responsible for the delay, the cabinetry rework, or the trades standing around. That can wipe out the saving several times over.
The rule that works: if it affects the cabinetry dimensions or the services, let the builder supply it. Ovens, hobs, rangehoods, sinks, and taps. Supply your own fridge and microwave by all means, but confirm the dimensions before the joinery is manufactured, because joinery is made to a drawing and cannot be adjusted afterwards.
Write the variation process into the scope
Things will change. What matters is that the process is agreed before it happens rather than during.
A good scope says: variations to be quoted in writing, with both cost and time impact, and approved by the homeowner before the work proceeds. That last part is what stops surprises appearing on the final invoice.
Ask for the time impact as well as the price. Moving a power point after the linings are on is a small charge and a real reschedule.
Extra scope lines for a villa or bungalow
If your home is pre-1940, these belong in the scope from the start rather than turning up as variations:
Floor levelling or pile work. Cabinetry and stone need a level floor. A century of settlement usually means it is not.
Scribing and making good against out-of-square walls, which is real labour and is what separates a good fit from a gappy one.
Asbestos testing before demolition. Very common in kitchens redone between the 1940s and 1980s, in vinyl floor tiles, their glue, and textured ceilings.
Rewiring the kitchen circuits, and a switchboard assessment.
Structural work if you are opening up to the living area, including the beam, engineering and consent.
Matching existing trim profiles where new work meets original detail.
More on what character homes involve in our villa renovation guide.
How to actually compare two quotes
Line them up against your scope and mark every item each one includes, excludes, or is silent on. Silence is the dangerous category.
Strip out the provisional and PC sums from both, and compare the fixed portions.
Check the allowances are comparable. One quote allowing $900 for tapware and another allowing $2,500 is not a $1,600 price difference, it is a different kitchen.
Confirm both include making good, painting, rubbish and final clean, or that neither does.
Then, and only then, look at the totals.
Auckland kitchens generally run $45,000 to $70,000 mid-range, with high-end above $70,000, and structural change is what pushes a project past that. The full breakdown is in our kitchen cost guide. If you want a tailored range before you start scoping, use our free estimator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a checklist for a kitchen reno?
Because there are a lot of moving parts—from layout and cabinetry to electrical, plumbing, and styling. A checklist ensures nothing is forgotten and keeps everyone aligned.
Can I use this checklist if I’m managing the project myself?
Yes—this is perfect for DIY project managers or homeowners working with multiple trades.
Does Key Interiors offer fixed-scope packages?
Yes. We price our jobs based on your exact scope and offer fixed-price contracts so there are no surprises.
When should I start planning my kitchen renovation scope?
Start as early as possible—even before getting quotes. Having a solid idea of your layout and inclusions saves time, money, and stress.