The kitchen takes more wear than any other room in a Lahore house: heavy cooking, oil, steam, and water around the sink. Cabinets made from untreated board swell, counters crack, and exhausts clog. A kitchen renovation fixes the layout and replaces these items together so you are not breaking tiles twice.
What's included
| Item | Typical scope |
|---|---|
| Strip-out | Removing old cabinets, counter, tiles, sink; rubble removal |
| Layout and drawing | Measured plan showing cabinets, appliances, sink and hob positions |
| Plumbing | New water and drain lines to sink, dishwasher or washing machine points |
| Gas | Relocating or adding gas points for hob and oven, done by a qualified gas fitter |
| Electrical | Sockets for appliances, dedicated lines for heavy loads, under-cabinet lighting |
| Walls | Wall tiles or backsplash behind counter and hob |
| Cabinets | Base and wall units, tall units, drawers, hardware |
| Counter | Stone, quartz-type or other worktop with cut-outs for sink and hob |
| Ventilation | Exhaust fan or hood with ducting to outside |
| Flooring | New floor tiles if included in scope |
When you need it
- Cabinet doors and carcasses have swollen from water or termite damage.
- Gas, sink or appliance positions do not suit how you cook.
- The kitchen has no proper exhaust and walls are stained.
- You are adding appliances that need new electrical or water points.
Step-by-step process
- Measure and draw. The contractor measures and prepares a layout drawing; agree it before anything is broken.
- Choose materials. Agree cabinet board type and thickness, finish (laminate, lacquer, paint), counter material, sink and hardware.
- Get itemised quotes. At least three, against the same drawing and materials.
- Strip out the old kitchen.
- Services first. Water, drain, gas and electrical points go in according to the drawing.
- Test water lines for leaks and have gas connections checked for leaks before closing walls.
- Tile walls and floor.
- Install cabinets and then the counter, which is templated after base units are fixed.
- Fit sink, hob, hood and appliances.
- Snag and hand over.
Approvals and documents
Replacing cabinets and tiles is minor work. The LDA Building and Zoning Regulations 2019 list replacement of floor tiles, doors and windows among "minor repairs", while structural changes need an addition/alteration plan (LDA Regulations 2019). If you are knocking down a wall to make an open kitchen, that is a structural or partition change; get an engineer's view and the required approval.
Gas work must follow SNGPL's rules for internal fittings. Use a qualified gas fitter and do not let anyone extend gas lines inside cabinets without proper fittings and ventilation.
What affects the cost
There is no fixed "kitchen rate". Quotes are usually a lump sum, sometimes with cabinets priced per running foot. The main factors:
- Kitchen size and number of wall and tall units.
- Cabinet board type and thickness, and whether it is moisture resistant.
- Door finish: laminate, lacquer, paint or other.
- Hardware: soft-close hinges, drawer runners, baskets.
- Counter material and number of cut-outs.
- Services: moving sink, gas or drain positions costs more than reusing them.
- Appliances if included in the package.
Questions to ask the provider
- What board is used for the cabinet carcass, and what thickness? Is the sink cabinet moisture resistant?
- Are edges sealed with edge banding on all sides?
- Is the counter priced per square foot or as part of the lump sum?
- Who does the gas work, and how will it be tested?
- How will the hood or exhaust be ducted to outside?
- What is the warranty on cabinets and hardware?
- What is the timeline from strip-out to handover?
Red flags
- No drawing, only a verbal description.
- Cabinet board not specified in the quote.
- Gas lines extended with flexible pipe hidden inside cabinets.
- Counter cut before base cabinets are fixed and levelled.
- No exhaust ducting to outside, only a recirculating fan, when you cook heavily.
FAQs
How long does a kitchen renovation take in Lahore? It depends on scope and whether cabinets are made on site or in a workshop. Ask for a written schedule with dates for strip-out, services, tiling, cabinets and counter.
Can I keep my existing gas and sink positions? Yes, and it usually reduces cost. Moving them involves new plumbing, drainage and gas work.
Is a cabinet board in the sink area a problem? Water is the main enemy of cabinets. Ask for moisture-resistant board in the sink unit and fully sealed edges.
Do I need approval to renovate a kitchen? Replacing finishes is minor work. Removing walls or changing structure needs approval from LDA, DHA or your society.
Should the floor be replaced at the same time? If you plan to change it within a few years, yes. Cabinets sit on the floor, so changing it later means disturbing the kitchen.