Reference photo: measuring existing cabinetry before deciding what stays where it is.
“Can we keep the same layout?” is one of the first questions homeowners ask about a kitchen renovation in St Kilda, and it’s a sensible one. Leaving the sink, cooktop and main cabinet runs where they are can keep the scope simpler. Whether that works for your kitchen depends on what is already there and how you need the room to work.
Many kitchens can keep the same footprint and still be noticeably more practical. New cabinetry, better internal storage, a replaced benchtop or splashback, and careful surface preparation can deal with a lot of everyday frustrations without moving any services.
“Same layout” doesn’t mean “same problems”, though. Keeping the layout is practical when the existing positions suit how you cook and store things, and when the walls, floor and services behind the old cabinets are sound enough to build on. That second part can only be judged on site, because replacing visible finishes before checking moisture, the substrate, service access and underlying damage can lead to avoidable rework.
01 THE WORKFLOW ALREADY SUITS YOU
The sink, cooktop and fridge sit in sensible positions and the real complaints are worn surfaces, poor storage or ageing fittings rather than the shape of the room.
02 THE SERVICES ARE WHERE YOU NEED THEM
Plumbing and power points already line up with the appliances you plan to use, so licensed trades may only be needed to disconnect and reconnect, not to relocate.
03 THE BUILDING SETS LIMITS
In many St Kilda flats, owners corporation conditions, shared services and common property make relocations harder. See Apartment Kitchens & Owners Corporation Considerations.
Moving a sink or cooktop is rarely just a cabinetry decision. It changes who needs to be involved. More detail is on Who Does What: Ivan and Licensed Trades.
MOVING THE SINK OR DISHWASHER — plumbing work by a licensed plumber, coordinated by Ivan.
MOVING THE COOKTOP, OVEN OR POWER — electrical work by a licensed electrician, coordinated by Ivan.
REMOVING OR ALTERING A WALL — structural engineering is not offered; an appropriate practitioner is needed where required.
APPROVALS — permits, owners corporation consent and any site-specific heritage controls vary by property and need checking for your project.
NEW CABINETRY, SURFACES & FINISHES — assessed, prepared and overseen by Ivan within his lawful scope.
01 HOW THE KITCHEN NEEDS TO WORK. Ivan starts by discussing what frustrates you now, whether that’s bench space, storage, cleaning or the way people move around the room.
02 EXISTING CONDITION. He checks cabinetry, surfaces, floor level, signs of moisture and the services that can be seen. This free on-site assessment is the basis for any recommendation.
03 PRACTICAL OPTIONS. He’ll explain what can stay, what may need replacing and what moving a service would involve, including the limitations.
04 WRITTEN QUOTATION. The scope you choose goes into a written quotation, prepared after the assessment and not before.
An inspection can’t reveal every concealed issue. Once the old cabinets come out, what’s behind them can still affect the scope. See What May Be Behind the Cabinets.
Ivan Bodnar is an independent sole trader and does not claim builder registration or trade licences. Licensed plumbing and electrical work is carried out by appropriately authorised specialists. Scope, permits, insurance and licensed trade requirements vary from project to project.
04 LAYOUT, CABINETRY & STORAGE OPTIONS
CAN EXISTING KITCHEN CABINETS BE REUSED?
Not sure whether your layout should stay? Request a kitchen renovation quote and Ivan can look at it on site with you.
