Renovator homeowner tool

Kitchen & Bath Renovation Scope Planner

Use this planner before requesting kitchen or bathroom quotes. It helps you define what stays, what moves, what gets replaced, and what needs plumber, electrician, HVAC, drywall, tile, cabinet, or permit coordination.

Last updated Jul 11, 2026.

Room renovation prep

Define the room before comparing renovation quotes

Room scope

Planning stage

Trade coordination

Scope flags

Fixtures movingSinks, tubs, showers, toilets, laundry, or appliances may move.Water damageSoft floor, stains, mould concern, leaking fixture, or failed caulk/grout.Owner suppliedYou plan to buy fixtures, appliances, tile, lights, or hardware yourself.Occupied homeYou need a working kitchen, bathroom, or temporary setup during work.

Recommended next step

Define the room scope

You can improve quotes by documenting layout, fixtures, selections, and what stays or moves.

Priority

Planning

Flags

Prep before quotes

Create a room-by-room list of what stays, what is removed, what is replaced, and what moves.
Collect product inspiration and identify which selections are must-haves versus flexible.
Ask for allowances and owner-supplied items to be separated from labour and rough-in pricing.
List what stays and what changes: cabinets, counters, sink, faucet, appliances, backsplash, flooring, lighting, and paint.
Collect existing photos, rough goals, property constraints, and must-have dates before asking for pricing.
Mark the work area and note any access limits, parking limits, pets, tenants, or work-hour restrictions.

Questions for the renovator

What demolition, disposal, protection, rough-ins, inspections, drywall, tile, flooring, paint, and cleanup are included?
Which selections must be finalized before work starts?
What is excluded from the quote and how are hidden conditions handled?
Are cabinets, counters, backsplash, plumbing, electrical, flooring, paint, and appliance hookups included or separate?

Compare these assumptions

Like-for-like replacement versus layout change
Allowance amounts and owner-supplied products
Temporary services, dust control, and occupied-home plan
Refresh, reface, and full kitchen renovation

Find renovators

What should be in a kitchen or bath scope?

Kitchen and bathroom quotes can vary because layout, rough-ins, waterproofing, ventilation, cabinetry, tile, fixtures, and finish selections are bundled differently. This planner makes those assumptions explicit.

The output is quote prep, not a permit ruling, engineering decision, health assessment, or final scope. Confirm technical and legal requirements with the relevant authority and qualified professionals before work starts.

Four details to settle before quotes

These are the assumptions most likely to make two quotes look similar while covering different work.

Fixtures and rough-ins

Moving sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, appliances, or laundry changes plumbing and electrical assumptions.

Cabinets and layout

Cabinet dimensions, appliance openings, counters, backsplash, and storage details affect pricing.

Ventilation

Bath fans, range hoods, makeup air, duct routes, and exterior terminations can involve other trades.

Finish expectations

Tile pattern, waterproofing, drywall finish, paint, trim, and protection level should be documented.

Renovator tool FAQ

What should I decide before getting a kitchen renovation quote?

Decide layout intent, appliances, cabinet expectations, counters, flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures, backsplash, ventilation, and which items you will supply yourself.

Why do bathroom renovation quotes vary so much?

Quotes can include different assumptions for demolition, waterproofing, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, tile prep, fixtures, glass, drywall, paint, and hidden damage.

Should I move plumbing fixtures?

Moving fixtures can improve layout but usually adds rough-in, access, permit, and finish-repair questions. Ask for this as a separate line item.