Preparing for Your DIY Kitchen Renovation: What to Do Before, During and After Demo

Starting a DIY kitchen renovation is exciting! Before the transformation begins, there are a few important steps to take in advance that can make the process smoother, cleaner, and far less stressful.

From packing up your space to navigating demolition and evaluating what’s behind the walls, preparation is key.

Before the Renovation: Set Yourself Up for Success

Before any work begins, your kitchen needs to be fully cleared out and your home adjusted for temporary living.

Pack and Purge

This is the perfect opportunity to simplify.

As you pack up your kitchen:

• Sort through items you no longer use

• Donate or discard chipped dishes, duplicates, or unused appliances

• Organize what you’ll need access to during the renovation

Everything in your kitchen will need to be removed before work begins.

FYI-You will want to maintain access to your refrigerator. Relocate it to a convenient location nearby the renovation.

Plan for a Temporary Kitchen

If you’re living in your home during the renovation, a temporary setup is essential.

Consider including:

• A microwave, hot plate, or Convection/Toaster oven

• A coffee maker

• A small prep area

• A place to wash dishes (laundry sink or bathroom sink works)

• A simple table to hold it all

• An Instant Pot and/or Crock Pot

Planning this ahead of time makes day-to-day life much easier.

Create a Temporary Dining Space

Your usual dining area may be impacted by construction.

Set up an alternative space with:

• A small table and chairs

• A flexible setup like a folding table or picnic-style meals

• If you're renovation is in the summer, this will be an excuse for backyard cookouts in your outdoor space.

It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just needs to function.

Preparing for Demolition

Demolition is where things get real—and messy.

A little preparation goes a long way in containing dust and keeping your home safe.

Protect Your Home

Before demo begins:

• Turn off utilities (electricity, water, gas) to the work area

• Seal off the kitchen using plastic sheeting or ZipWalls

• Close doors and cover vents to prevent dust from spreading

• Use a fan in a window to create negative air pressure

These steps help keep the rest of your home livable during the construction phase on your project.

Plan for Debris Removal

Demo creates a lot of material quickly.

Be sure to:

• Rent a dumpster or schedule a haul-away service

• Designate a clear path for debris removal

• Plan to clean up the work area at the end of each work day (HEPA vacuum preferred)

A clean, organized workspace helps minimize dust and brings peace of mind throughout the remodeling process.

Keep Safety in Mind

During demolition:

• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby

• Wear proper PPE (gloves, masks, eye protection)

Even small precautions make a big difference.

What to Check After Demo

Once everything is opened up, this is your opportunity to really understand your home.

This is one of the most important moments in the entire renovation.

Inspect What’s Behind the Walls

Look for:

• Signs of water damage, rot, or mold

• Termite or pest damage

• Aging or unsafe materials

These are much easier to address now than later. Consider the future uses for your space. Do you need extra outlets? This is the perfect time to setup your space for your future needs.

Evaluate Structure and Leveling

Check:

• Floor leveling

• Condition of joists

• Wall framing

Any structural adjustments should happen before moving forward.

Verify Plumbing and Electrical Layout

Now is the time to confirm:

• Locations of plumbing lines

• Electrical wiring

• How everything aligns with your new design

Adjustments are far easier before walls are closed up again.

Document Everything

Take photos of:

• Open walls

• Wiring and plumbing locations

• Structural elements

These will be incredibly helpful later for:

• Troubleshooting

• Future upgrades

• Avoiding unnecessary wall cuts

Address Surprises Immediately

It’s very common to uncover unexpected issues during demo.

These might include:

• Outdated wiring

• Hidden damage

• Previous work that doesn’t meet current standards

The key is to pause, evaluate, and correct these issues before moving forward.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for a kitchen renovation involves more than just packing boxes and clearing space. From demolition planning to uncovering what’s behind your walls, there are dozens of decisions that can impact your timeline, budget, and overall experience.

For many homeowners, this is the point where the process starts to feel more complex than expected.

At SheBuilds Kitchens, we guide our clients through each phase—from early planning to final installation—so nothing gets missed and everything stays aligned.

Whether you’re still in the planning stage of a DIY renovation or ready to move forward with a General Contractor, having a clear plan makes all the difference!

That’s why SheBuilds offers several tools designed to help homeowners feel more confident and prepared throughout the remodeling process:

We offer a stand-alone design package for kitchens and bathrooms. If you need some plans and renderings, we can help!

We offer a budget/planning/selections spreadsheet that can help you stay organized.

We also created a Kitchen Coach as well as Bathroom Coach Guides to act as your renovation companion.