Quick answers
What needs doing to the walls before a new kitchen goes in?
First the kitchen is drawn to the room's measurements. Then the old units come out, water and power points go where the drawing needs them, and the walls are plastered straight before the cabinets go up.
The units of a new kitchen hide the wall, but behind them they need water, drainage and sockets in exactly the right place. That's why the order matters: the drawing first, then the walls, the furniture last.
In a kitchen with an island, the new kitchen was drawn to the room's measurements, so it was known in advance where every cabinet would go. Then the old tiles and the loose plaster came off the walls, which had been flaking above the tiles.
With the walls open, the new pipes and cables are run wherever the new kitchen needs them. In another kitchen, the water and electrical points went into their new positions, the openings in the wall were closed up, and the walls were plastered, straightened and painted, so the units would go up against a flat, clean surface.
Keep in mind: once the units are in, any change to the pipework becomes difficult. Decide at the start where the sink, dishwasher, hob and cooker hood will go. The electrics and plumbing are work for an electrician and a plumber.
Jobs that show it
Kitchen Renovation from Drawing to Finish
An old kitchen was stripped out completely and replaced with a new grey kitchen with an island, built to the design drawing.
See the job step by step
Kitchen Stripped and Walls Rebuilt for New Units
The old kitchen tiles and units came out, new supply points went in, and the walls were plastered and painted, ready for a new kitchen.
See the job step by step