Kitchen Renovation in San Pedro

Design and cabinet order first (longest lead time), then strip-out, then first-fix plumbing, gas, and electrical, then walls, ceilings, and flooring, then cabinet installation, then benchtop templating and fitting (often a 1-2 week gap for stone), then appliances, splashback, and second-fix. The benchtop templating gap surprises most first-timers — plan interim use around it.

Open every door and drawer and check alignment and soft-close action; run the tap and check under-sink connections for weeps; test every appliance and outlet; check the benchtop for chips and sealant lines; confirm the splashback is sealed; and collect appliance warranties plus gas and electrical compliance certificates before releasing the final payment.

Kitchen projects legitimately need larger deposits than other renovations because cabinetry is manufactured to order — 20-40% at signing is common for supply-and-install packages, though several countries cap contract deposits by law. Make sure the deposit is tied to the cabinet order being placed, and always keep a final 5-10% until installation snags are fixed.

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.

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.

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.

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.