Kitchen in a Box

Kitchen suppliers usually produce custom-built cabinets to fit a space and you pay for the measuring, fitting and cutting. Modular kitchens are cheaper because the cabinetry and benches are packaged and bought off-the-shelf so you can DIY installation or have them professionally done for much less than a custom kitchen. Although, one drawback is that you may need to modify the layout or add filling panels to suit the space.

The Flatpax kitchen used here came as a modular, flat-packed system of cabinets, doors, end panels and benchtops. Cabinets are solid-backed to prevent lateral movement and doors are vinyl-wrapped in white gloss. The Ozstone engineered benchtop, in Snow Fleck, is available in 2400mm lengths.

When budgeting for a kitchen renovation, don’t forget to factor in the cost of appliances and hardware.

Time and Cost
This installation took two people four days to complete and cost $5875 for the basic cupboards and benchtop. It would cost about $7375 to have two professionals install it.

Fitting Appliances
Before buying the kitchen, know the clearances and cut-out dimensions of the oven, cooktop, dishwasher and sink, fridge and rangehood. It’s best
to have the appliances on site at the time of cabinet installation.Bear in mind that dishwashers are usually positioned next to the sink and require an opening width of around 600mm. The power point should be in the cabinet next door rather than behind the dishwasher as this prevents it being recessed all the way back into the opening. Most rangehoods fit beneath a 600mm-wide rangehood cabinet. If yours is ducted, add holes for fluing.

Setting up
As the old kitchen is demolished, call in the plumber to cap off pipes, and the electrician to make wiring safe.Now is the time to have modifications to wiring and plumbing, such as installing extra power points or water supply for a first dishwasher.If the timber floor is to be resanded, do it before the new cabinetry goes in. If the new floo will be vinyl, cork or tiles, do it after cabinets are installed. Paint ceiling and walls before installation – it’s quicker and easier in an empty room.