Kitchen Renovation FAQs

GENERAL

  • We service greater Metropolitan Melbourne. To see if we can service your area, please contact our friendly showroom team.

  • Yes, Smith & Smith are licenced registered builders.

  • Working with Smith & Smith, you are automatically insured from the moment the deposit is paid.

  • Absolutely! Every product we offer is backed by a solid 10-year warranty & all of our fittings come with a lifetime warranty.

GETTING STARTED

  • Begin your journey right here on the website to explore our best-in-class kitchen styles & experience the high-end quality of our kitchens.

  • Absolutely. A visit to our showroom offers a welcoming experience where you can witness the accomplished craftsmanship of our kitchens in person & we can answer any questions you have.

  • The right company will be sincere in putting your needs first. At Smith & Smith Kitchens, we listen, nurture your vision, & inspire your kitchen dreams.

  • Our expert designers are passionate about kitchens! They optimise your space, ensure functionality, enhance aesthetics, & avoid costly mistakes, adding value to your home.

  • Based on your conversation with our showroom staff we'll pair you with the ideal designer for your project.

  • If you plan to install a new kitchen in an existing home, the designer will come to you. Please have on hand your ‘inspiration’ images of kitchen styles you like (magazine clippings, Houzz saves, Pinterest boards, Instagram saves etc.)

    If the new kitchen is part of a new build or extension, please bring the new plans with you and ensure they contain all necessary measurements. Please also ensure you have your inspiration images with you.

  • A kitchen designer plans the space: layout, colours, finishes, appliance placement, cabinetry style and function. They will also take into account how the kitchen speaks to the rest of the home. A kitchen builder constructs the room itself, including walls, floors and plumbing. At Smith & Smith, we are a one-stop shop. We can arrange all necessary trades to bring your kitchen vision to life. Plumbers, electricians, tilers and builders can all be arranged through Smith & Smith - we will even warranty the work done by our trades.

DESIGN

  • In the two hour design consultation session, your designer will take measurements & discuss what you hope to achieve in your space. From there, you will have a follow-up meeting to review your options as well as costs before paying your deposit.

  • The initial consultation will be a couple of hours, followed by a second meeting to discuss more options and costings. We will meet as many times as necessary before solidifying your design choices.

  • As many as you like! It usually depends on any changes you might like to make before locking-off the style & finishes for your kitchen.

  • Your Smith & Smith designer will help you thorough every step of the process.

    Once you approve the design and costs, you'll make a 10% deposit. Production then commences on your kitchen at our Rowville factory ahead of installation.

  • You can make changes in the lead up, but once you sign off & agree to the information in the contract, any additional changes to the existing specifications will incur a fee. All this information will be outlined in your contract which you will be made aware of, before signing off on it.

  • Absolutely! Our designers are very experienced & have great expertise in coming up with great solutions for your kitchen.

  • Absolutely! Smith & Smith can renovate kitchens of all sizes and formations.

  • When it comes to design, we consider all factors of your lifestyle that could influence the use of your kitchen; do you have young children you like to play at the kitchen counter, or a partner in the trades who puts tools on the bench? Do you cook with pigmented ingredients? These considerations will influence the materials you select to design a kitchen specified to you & your family’s needs.

    Our 2 day installation is fantastic for families that can’t handle a multi-week renovation disrupting their busy lives.

  • Yes, we usually suggest you go to a reputable supplier such as E&S Trading. They have a good selection of brands and products, and also a great knowledge of the products.

  • Smith & Smith are more than happy to assist will the installation of appliances & will also provide a Certificate of Compliance.

  • Your designer considers the architectural style of your home (Federation, Edwardian, mid-century, modern), the way you actually use the kitchen, and the colour and material palette of adjoining rooms. Many homes suit more than one style. The consultation is a conversation about which feels right for you.

  • Hamptons kitchens often use Shaker doors, which is why the two styles look related. The difference is the broader finish: The term ‘Hamptons’ comes from the American holiday destination renowned for beautiful traditional homes and classically inviting interiors and kitchens. ‘Hamptons style’ kitchens usually feature a muted colour palette, natural stone (or a reconstituted lookalike) and traditional metal knobs and handles. . . Shaker is the name of a door profile. It is a simple, square-edged rectangular frame with a recessed flat centre panel. It has stood the test of time for its simplicity and versatility across many kitchen styles.

  • Corner cabinets are challenging because of the dead space they create. Smith & Smith offer several corner solutions, including the lazy susan (a rotating circular shelf), corner drawer (a D-shaped drawer that pivots), magic corner (pull-out shelving that swings out of the cabinet), and blind corner pullout. The right one depends on your layout, what you want to store, and how often you need access.

RENOVATION PROCESS

  • The designer will go through the process with you once you have signed off & are happy with the design, finishes & costing. You will pay a 10% deposit & the manufacturing process will begin.

  • Not for replacement of kitchen. If additional building works are being undertaken, the designer & builder will advise you.

  • From the time you sign off on the quote & pay the 10% deposit, the manufacturing time is 8-10 weeks. Once the kitchen is ready, you will be contacted by the Installation Manager & given a date for installation.

    Installation in your home usually takes 2 days, apart from a stone bench top installation, which is done by a Stone Mason and takes another 1 to 2 weeks. You will have a temporary bench top so that you can use the kitchen in the meantime.

  • We have an installation manager who co-ordinates the installation of the kitchen & all the trades associated with your kitchen renovation.

  • Yes, we organise all the trades as outlined in your quotation. You are also welcome to use your own tradespeople.

  • Yes, if you would rather use your own trades, you are more than welcome. Our priority is always customer satisfaction.

  • Smith & Smith have thoroughly vetted all their own tradespeople & are very reliable and trustworthy.

  • In certain circumstances a kitchen can be usable within two days. Often, it will take longer depending on the scope of work and materials involved. Talk to your designer for more information.

  • We can organise all aspects of the kitchen renovation, including all trades.

  • The kitchen installation only takes 2 days, so any inconvenience is only short-lived. However, if you are having additional building works. this may impact the use of other areas in your home. Our tradespeople are very respectful & will always clean up any working mess.

  • As the installation only takes 2 days, some people use another room in the house as a temporary kitchen to prepare light meals. Please see our Temporary Kitchen page for more information.

  • The Smith & Smith manufacturing window is 8 to 12 weeks from quote sign-off and deposit, plus installation in your home. To install before Christmas, your contract needs to be signed and the deposit paid by around late-August. Earlier is safer because we book out fast in the lead-up to the holidays.

  • You can absolutely keep your existing appliances if they're in good condition. During the design consultation, your designer will measure them and incorporate them into the new layout. We'll also flag if any will look out of place against the new finishes or won't fit the cabinetry dimensions in the planned design. It is also worth keeping in mind that we have noted in a small percentage of cases that built-in appliances can stop working if removed and reinstalled, so it is important to have a backup plan.

  • Yes. Silica-free and low-silica reconstituted stone benchtops are now offered by most manufacturers. Smith & Smith only specify silica-safe materials for safety or compliance reasons. Your designer will discuss the options and finishes at your consultation.

  • From your first design consultation to an installed kitchen, the typical Smith & Smith timeline is around four to six months. The design phase (consultation, drawings, finishes and contract sign-off) takes 4 to 6 weeks. Manufacturing at the Rowville factory takes 8 to 12 weeks after deposit. Installation in your home usually takes around 2 days. Stone benchtops add 1 to 2 weeks. Timelines vary based on the complexity of the project and workshop demand at the time.

CUSTOM

  • Unfortunately not. We specialise in full kitchen renovations.

  • Yes! We can also design & build your dream laundry, wardrobe, study, or any other form of cabinetry throughout your home.

  • We can only provide additional cabinetry work when committing to a full kitchen renovation. However, if you have had a kitchen renovation with us in the past & are wanting to update additional areas, than a consultation is recommended.

  • A butler's pantry is a secondary kitchen or storage room beside the main kitchen, typically with extra benchtop, a sink, sometimes a second oven or dishwasher, and additional cabinetry. Whether it's worth the space depends on how you cook and entertain. Families that cook frequently often find them invaluable; smaller households sometimes prefer to keep the main kitchen larger.

  • A face frame cabinet has a flat timber frame around the front of the cabinet box, with doors sitting either inset within the frame or partially overlaid. Face frame construction is the traditional American cabinet style, and pairs well with Shaker, Hamptons and country kitchens. The alternative is frameless construction (also called European or Euro-style), where the doors cover the entire cabinet box. Smith & Smith Kitchens are one of the few manufacturers in Melbourne that craft face-frame cabinetry.

  • Several choices contribute to a more sustainable kitchen. Choose long-lasting materials over trend-driven finishes (stone or timber benchtops, solid timber doors). Specify Australian-made cabinetry where possible (Smith & Smith manufacture in Rowville). Choose energy-efficient appliances. Design for longevity: classic styles like Shaker date less quickly, reducing the chance of a costly re-renovation in ten years.

  • No. Smith & Smith only design and build custom kitchens, each made to measure at our Rowville factory. We do not sell, supply or install flat-pack or modular kitchens. Every Smith & Smith kitchen is bespoke to the home, the homeowner, and the way they cook and live.

BUDGET & PAYMENT

  • This is dependant on the style & finishes that are chosen, & the size of the kitchen. The prices vary according to the number of cabinets & finishes. Please get in touch to discuss your price point.

  • Absolutely! Smith & Smith Kitchens are highly regarded amongst the real estate community & often used as a selling point.

  • Flatpack kitchens are a very different product. Smith & Smith kitchens are designed by experienced kitchen designers & custom built in our factory in Melbourne. You are dealing directly with the manufacturer, so you are getting a quality custom built kitchen at a very competitive price.

  • You will need to know exactly what each company is charging, & what the quotation actually includes, otherwise it will not be an accurate comparison.

    At Smith & Smith we will not surprise you with any additional or unexpected costs unless you make any changes to your design after the contract has been signed, whatever the case, we will always discuss before proceeding.

    When comparing prices, we always recommend to look at the fine print on all provided quotes.

  • There is a small fee is for a designer consultation. Within this thorough consultation, you are getting their expertise & ideas for the best possible design & outcome as well as a costing for particular finishes. Book a designer consultation today.

  • We accept all major credit cards, EFT transfers are also possible.

  • We require 10% deposit on signing of contract, 20% at the ‘check measure’ stage and the balance as the cabinets are delivered.

  • Once you sign off on the agreed quote, there will not be any increases even if there are increases in the materials. The quoted price can only change if you decide to make changes to the design on your existing signed contract.

  • Every Smith & Smith kitchen is custom designed and built to measure, so the price varies based on the size of the kitchen, the materials, the appliances and the design complexity. The most accurate way to understand the cost for your kitchen is to book a design consultation, where your designer will provide a detailed quote tailored to your project.

  • Yes. Smith & Smith charge a fee for a designer consultation. The session covers an in-depth discussion of your kitchen needs, measurements, style direction and material choices, plus initial costing for the finishes you are considering. This is the first step in your kitchen design journey.

    Note: This question slightly overlaps with the existing /faq question 'Do you offer a free quote?'. Recommend updating that existing answer to align, or removing it once this new one goes live.

MATERIALS & FINISHES

  • Natural stone is quarried as solid pieces from the earth, and includes marble, granite, limestone and quartzite. Each slab has unique veining and colour variation. Engineered stone (also called reconstituted stone) is manufactured by binding natural stone particles with a resin under heat and pressure, producing more uniform colour and pattern. Natural stone is generally more expensive than engineered stone, with high-end marble at the top of the range. The right choice depends on the look you want, how you use the kitchen, and your maintenance preferences.

  • No, Caesarstone is an engineered (reconstituted) stone brand, not natural stone. Other engineered stone brands available in Australia include Lithostone, Meganite and similar composite materials. Caesarstone has long been the most recognised brand in Australian kitchens, though several alternatives now offer similar finishes. Your designer can walk you through the options based on the look and durability you want.

  • Smith & Smith offer four main cabinetry finishes: two-pack painted (a sprayed and oven-baked polyurethane finish, available in any colour), timber veneer (real timber laminated to a stable substrate), laminate (a hard-wearing decorative surface in many colours and textures), and solid timber (selected timbers used for specific applications). We do not use vinyl wrap because it is less durable over time.

  • Two-pack (sometimes written 2-pack or 2pac) is a paint finish where a paint and hardener are mixed together, sprayed onto the cabinet door, then oven-baked to cure. The result is a smooth, hard surface that resists chips, scratches and discolouration, and can be matched to any colour. Two-pack is the most popular cabinetry finish in custom Australian kitchens because of its colour flexibility and durability.

  • Timber veneer is a thin layer of real timber (typically 0.6mm to 2mm thick) laminated onto a stable substrate like MDF or particleboard. It gives the appearance and feel of solid timber with greater dimensional stability, meaning less warping in Australia's varied climate. Smith & Smith offer timber veneer in species like oak, walnut and ash for cabinetry doors and panels.

  • Vinyl wrap involves heat-bonding a thin vinyl sheet over a substrate, usually MDF. While the look is similar to painted cabinetry, the vinyl can lift, peel or crack over time, particularly around heat sources like ovens and in high-moisture areas. Smith & Smith use two-pack painted doors instead because they offer the same colour flexibility with a hard-wearing finish that lasts the lifetime of the kitchen.

  • Smith & Smith use German-made hinges and drawer runners from a leading European cabinetry hardware manufacturer. These offer smooth opening, soft-close action and longer-term reliability than budget alternatives. The same hardware is widely used in premium custom Australian cabinetry.

    Note: Need to confirm specific brand with the showroom team (likely Blum or Hettich). Once confirmed, name it in the answer.

  • Several materials offer excellent durability. Engineered stone (silica-free, as required by Australian law) and large-format porcelain are among the toughest, resisting heat, scratches and stains. Stainless steel is extremely durable and hygienic but shows fingerprints. Solid timber is the least durable for daily kitchen use but can be re-oiled and refinished. Laminate is fine for everyday use but less heat and water resistant than stone.

  • For cabinet boxes, premium plywood and high-density boards offer the best strength and moisture resistance over time. For door finishes, two-pack painted on a stable substrate is the most durable, resisting chips and scratches well. Solid timber is structurally strong but more prone to warping than veneer or two-pack in Australia's varied climate. Smith & Smith use Australian-made boards for cabinet boxes.

DESIGN TRENDS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Our design experts have curated their favourite trends & need-to-knows when renovating your kitchen.