Kitchen Renovation in Cebu City

Hold 10-15% beyond the quote. The classic surprises are behind the old kitchen: degraded wiring that fails modern load requirements, corroded pipework, out-of-level floors that complicate cabinet installation, and walls that need replastering once tiles come off. Older properties justify the top of the range.

Flat-pack (IKEA-type) is the budget floor and works well in standard-shaped rooms with a good installer. Semi-custom modular ranges fit most kitchens at mid price. Fully custom joinery costs a large premium and earns it only for awkward spaces, non-standard heights, or specific design goals. The door and drawer hardware quality matters more to daily life than the box construction.

Set up a temporary station before demolition: microwave, kettle, and a portable induction hob near a sink you can still use (bathroom or laundry). Keep the old fridge running in another room. Budget realistically for more takeaway meals across the 2-6 kitchen-less weeks — it belongs in the project budget alongside tiles.

On-site work for a straightforward same-layout kitchen runs 2-4 weeks; layout changes with plumbing, gas, or electrical rework push it to 4-8 weeks. The hidden timeline is before day one: custom cabinetry commonly has 4-10 week manufacturing lead times, so order early and only demolish once delivery is confirmed.

Basic renovations run roughly ₱100,000-₱350,000, while significant remodels with new cabinets, counters, and appliances land ₱400,000-₱800,000 for most homeowners; high-end custom projects reach ₱1.2M-₱2M. Provincial labor runs 20-30% below Metro Manila.

Site-built cabinets by skilled carpenters cost less and fit odd spaces, but quality depends entirely on the crew and the plywood grade — specify marine plywood in wet zones. Modular systems cost more, install in days, and have consistent hardware. Either way, laminate or spray-paint finish choice moves the price more than the box.