Who is the Renovation Ready Playbook for?

It’s designed for homeowners who want to plan, design, and manage their own remodel with confidence — without hiring a full-service designer or paying for expensive design-build firms.

Do I need design or construction experience?

No. Everything is taught in simple, practical steps. If you can follow a checklist, you can follow this system.

Will this help me even if I’ve already started planning?

Yes. Whether you're just starting or already mid-project, the tools and guidance help you avoid mistakes, stay organized, and make decisions faster.

What if my project is small (like a bathroom or laundry room)?

The framework works for any remodel size — kitchen, bath, addition, basement, or whole home.

Is this a replacement for a contractor or designer?

No. It helps you know what to expect, what decisions to make, how to avoid delays, and how to communicate better with the pros you hire.

What Comes First in a Kitchen Renovation? (Hint: It's Not What You Think)

Nov 20

Written By Cristina DePina

When homeowners start planning a kitchen renovation, one of the first questions I get is:

"Should we choose the cabinets first, or the countertops?"

After working on 300+ renovation projects over 20 years, here's the truth:

Neither comes first.

If you're jumping straight to material selections, you're skipping the most critical planning step—and it's costing you time, money, and cohesion in your final design.

What Actually Comes First: Your Design Direction

Before you fall in love with a countertop slab or cabinet style, you need clarity on the big-picture vision for your space:

Ask yourself:

Do you want a light, airy kitchen or something dramatic and moody?
Are you drawn to sleek modern lines or timeless traditional details?
Will your focal point be bold veined stone, rich wood cabinetry, or a patterned backsplash?

This early clarity prevents the expensive mistake of choosing materials that don't work together. I've seen homeowners spend thousands on a gorgeous slab, only to realize it clashes with the cabinet finish they picked later.

Get the vision clear first. Then build from there.

Step 2: Lock in Your Layout + Cabinetry

Once your design direction is set, the cabinetry layout is next. Here's why this order matters:

Your cabinet layout determines:

Zones for cooking, prep, storage, and seating
Appliance placement and ventilation requirements
Exact dimensions for countertop fabrication
Plumbing and electrical rough-in locations

Cabinetry typically represents 30-40% of your total renovation budget and is the biggest visual component in the room. Get this locked in early—while your design direction is still guiding style and finish choices.

Pro tip: Finalize your cabinet order 14-16 weeks before demo. Lead times are long, and this is what delays most projects.

Step 3: Countertops Come AFTER Cabinetry (Usually)

I know—you've already fallen in love with that waterfall edge quartzite countertop slab on Pinterest.

But here's what happens when you choose countertops too early:

The slab might not work dimensionally for your actual layout
The veining feels too bold (or too subtle) against your cabinet finish
The undertones clash with everything else you've selected
You lock yourself into a design direction before seeing the full picture

Wait until your cabinetry style and color are confirmed. Then you can shop for countertops with purpose and choose a material that actually elevates the space instead of competing with it.

The Professional Order of Operations

Here's the sequence I use on every project:

14-16 weeks before demo: Establish design direction; Select appliances (determines cabinet dimensions); Finalize layout; Order cabinetry (long lead times!)

8-10 weeks before demo: Choose countertop material & Select flooring

6 weeks before demo: Choose backsplash tile; Select plumbing fixtures; Finalize lighting plan

4 weeks before demo: Choose paint colors; Select cabinet hardware

This timeline prevents rushed decisions and ensures everything works together.

Why This Order Matters

When you follow this sequence, you avoid:

Buying materials that don't fit your actual layout
Choosing finishes that clash with each other
Costly change orders mid-project
Delays because materials aren't ordered in time

You're building a system, not just selecting pretty things.

Want the Full Planning System?

This is just one piece of professional renovation planning advice. If you want to know exactly what to decide (and when) for your entire kitchen renovation, download my free guide

Plan Like a Pro - The Designer’s Kitchen Renovation Quick Start Guide

DOWNLOAD NOW

Inside, you'll get: