Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel: What to Do First
If you are planning a kitchen and a bathroom, do them as one plan, even if you build them months apart. Plumbing, electrical, and the permit scope overlap, and planning them separately is how homeowners pay for the same wall to be opened twice.
Why plan them together
Kitchens and bathrooms share water supply lines, drain stacks, and circuits in many homes, especially where the two rooms back up to each other or sit on the same floor. A plan that covers both lets the rough-in work happen once. It also tells you which walls will stay closed and which will come down.
What to do first
1. Decide the layout for both rooms before any demolition
Moving a drain or a vent after the walls are open costs more than planning it on paper. Settle fixture locations, cabinet runs, and any changes to the bathroom door or vanity position first.
2. Confirm the permit scope
Ask whether one permit covers both rooms and what each trade inspection requires. The Denver metro area has several jurisdictions, and each has its own permit office and inspection rules. Confirm the scope with the building department for your address.
3. Sequence the trades
In most projects the order is demolition, rough plumbing and electrical, inspection, insulation and drywall, then finish work. When the two rooms are done in separate phases, the second room should not disturb finished work in the first.
4. Plan the phasing around daily life
Many homeowners keep one bathroom usable while the kitchen is under construction, or keep a sink and fridge running in a temporary setup. Agree on that before work starts.
Factors that change cost
- Whether drains and vents move, or stay where they are
- Whether the electrical panel needs capacity for new circuits
- Whether the bathroom floor needs to be leveled or the subfloor replaced
- Cabinet and fixture selection, and lead times on custom items
- Whether the work is one permit or two
Pricing depends on scope. We give a written estimate after we see the home, not a published price list.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do the kitchen now and the bathroom in a year?
Yes. Plan both rooms first so the kitchen work does not block the bathroom later, and so any shared plumbing is placed correctly the first time.
Do I need a permit for both rooms?
Most structural, plumbing, and electrical work requires a permit. Whether one permit covers both rooms depends on your jurisdiction and the scope of work.
Which room should go first?
It depends on the layout and on which room you can live without for the longest stretch. We help you decide that during the estimate visit.
Plan both rooms with AD's Construction
We will walk through the home, confirm the layout and permit scope, and give you a written plan for both rooms.