So now I’m definitely moving and definitely almost a home-owner I need to start making actual decisions, not just dreamily putting stuff on Pinterest. Turns out the real stuff is a lot more complicated than doing things hypothetically, who knew?!

For instance, I know the sort of thing I’m after for the kitchen and have put together a first draft but actually planning how to do it in the time available without spending a fortune is quite complex.

My to do list tends to go through a series of revisions as new things occur to me:

  1. Put in the new boiler
  2. Rip out the old kitchen units
  3. Put in the new kitchen units

But turns out that probably isn’t the best order to do things plus it’ll need a new floor…

  1. Rip out the old kitchen so I can…
  2. Put in the new boiler on a finished wall before I…
  3. Put in the new kitchen units then I can…
  4. Put down the new floor

Hang on, the old ceiling tiles will need to come down (as slightly melted, carcinogenic, highly flammable ceiling tiles don’t really feature on anyone’s style wishlist) and the ceiling will probably need to be replastered and the new floor can’t go down until the old one is out plus I haven’t decided what the new floor should be so it’s actually …

  1. Rip out the old kitchen units
  2. Rip out the old carpet
  3. Take down the old ceiling tiles
  4. Put in the new boiler
  5. Put in the new kitchen units
  6. Choose a new floor
  7. Put down the new floor

Wait, all that tile talk reminds me that the ugly 80s tiles will need to come out too so…

  1. Rip out the old kitchen units
  2. Take down the old wall tiles
  3. Rip out the old carpet
  4. Take down the old ceiling tiles
  5. Put in the new boiler
  6. Put in the new kitchen units
  7. Re-tile
  8. Put down the new floor (and does that need any kind of underlay or should this go down before the units go in?)

But hang on that old oven needs to be disconnected and removed and oh yeah I’ll probably want some extra electrical sockets and what shall I do with the walls and will they need replastering then painting and how long do you need to leave fresh plaster until you can paint on it and can I do the tiles myself cos I really want to try it but maybe I’ll be rubbish at it or just get bored and leave it half finished…

Anyway, following a lot of revisions (and probably likely to change a billion times again), this is the to do list at the moment for the kitchen. It isn’t in a precise order and some things can happen at the same time as others (god bless my project management training – I feel a gantt chart coming on!)

  • Measure the kitchen accurately, decide which IKEA bits I need and order them
  • Plan where I’ll need new electrical sockets
  • Pick a new floor
  • Empty the cabinets and donate the contents (the flat comes with all the furniture and bits in it)
  • Remove the cabinets and dispose of them appropriately
  • Disconnect the appliances and donate them
  • Get the oven disconnected, remove and dispose of it
  • Remove the weird built-in oven surround
  • Remove the tiles and donate them if they’re reusable
  • Remove the ceiling tiles and dispose of them
  • Remove the carpet and chuck it
  • Strip the walls
  • Replaster the walls & ceiling if required
  • Repaint the walls
  • Fit the new boiler
  • Lay the new floor
  • Install the new units
  • Install the worktop
  • Tile
  • Install the sink & plumbing
  • Install new electrical sockets
  • Install the new appliances
  • Pick a new ceiling light and pop it up
  • Maybe add a kitchen door

I’m sure I’ve forgotten loads of things but look how quickly the list jumped from three things to loooooads more eek!

Five days until I get the keys…

Jo