Kitchen renovations are among the most complex and expensive projects a homeowner can undertake. When they go wrong, they go expensively wrong. After years of working with Montreal homeowners and contractors, we've identified the mistakes that consistently derail projects — and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Not Having a Design Plan Before Getting Quotes
Walking into a renovation without a clear design plan means every quote is based on assumptions. Contractors will fill in the blanks differently, making quotes impossible to compare. Before you call anyone, have at minimum a cabinet layout, a rough material list, and a sense of where appliances will go.
Mistake 2: Choosing Finishes Before Setting a Budget
It's easy to fall in love with a marble countertop or a custom range hood online, then build a budget backward around them. The problem: the budget rarely works out. Set your total number first, allocate by category (cabinets, countertops, appliances, labor, contingency), then shop within those bands.
Mistake 3: Ignoring the Triangle Rule
The kitchen work triangle — the relationship between the sink, stove, and refrigerator — governs how efficiently you move through the kitchen. Layouts that force you to cross the triangle constantly, or that place the fridge on the far end from the prep area, create daily frustration. Evaluate any new layout against your actual cooking habits.
Mistake 4: Under-Ordering or Over-Ordering Cabinets
Cabinet orders that come up short mid-installation cause expensive delays — especially if lead times are long. Orders with too many extras tie up cash. Work with your supplier to verify measurements twice and get a detailed cut list before ordering. At Jasen Cabinetry, we review every layout before it goes into production.
Mistake 5: Skipping the Permits
In Montreal, significant kitchen renovations — especially those involving electrical upgrades, plumbing changes, or structural work — require permits. Unpermitted work can cause problems at resale, void insurance claims, and result in fines. Confirm with your contractor what requires a permit before work begins.
Mistake 6: Hiring Based on Price Alone
The lowest quote is almost never the best value in renovation work. Low quotes often exclude scope that gets added back as change orders. Verify what each quote includes: demo, disposal, hardware, installation of panels and fillers, scribing to walls, touch-up paint. A slightly higher quote that includes everything is usually the better deal.
Mistake 7: Not Protecting Adjacent Spaces During Demo
Kitchen demo generates enormous amounts of dust and debris. Without proper containment — plastic sheeting, floor protection, HVAC vent covers — dust migrates throughout the home. This is especially important in older Montreal homes where plaster walls and older insulation create additional concerns.
Mistake 8: Rushing the Countertop Template
Countertops are templated after cabinets are installed and settled. Rushing this step — or allowing template to happen before installation is fully complete — leads to seam misalignment and poor fits at walls and appliances. Wait until everything is in place.
Mistake 9: Forgetting About Ventilation
A range hood that vents to the outside rather than recirculating is significantly more effective at removing cooking odors and moisture. If your renovation is the right time to run a duct to the exterior, do it. Retrofitting ventilation later is much more disruptive and expensive.
Mistake 10: Not Thinking About Resale
Even if you plan to stay in your home for years, kitchens are one of the highest-impact rooms for resale value. Avoid very personal choices — unusual colors, niche appliances, or layouts that only work for your specific family — that could limit your buyer pool. A beautiful but broadly appealing kitchen is almost always the smarter investment.
Planning ahead and working with experienced suppliers and trades is the best insurance against these mistakes. Our team is available to review your plans before you commit — reach out anytime.