Renovating a kitchen or bathroom typically involves 4 to 6 different trades. Without coordination, chaos is guaranteed: delays, conflicts, cost overruns. This guide explains how to manage a multi-trade project like a pro.
What is a Multi-Trade Project?
A multi-trade project involves multiple specialties on the same site:
- Bathroom: demolition, plumbing, electrical, tiling, carpentry, painting
- Kitchen: plumbing, electrical, kitchen fitting, tiling, painting
- Apartment: masonry, plumbing, electrical, plastering, carpentry, flooring, painting
Each trade depends on the others. The tiler can’t work if the plumber hasn’t finished.
The Logical Order of Intervention
Phase 1: Demolition and Preparation
- Demolition: removal of old elements, disposal
- Mason (if needed): partition modifications, openings
Phase 2: Technical Networks
- Plumber: water pipes and drains
- Electrician: cables, junction boxes
- Heating engineer (if needed): heating pipes, ventilation
Phase 3: Partitioning
- Plasterer: plasterboard, partitions
- Insulation: if included
Phase 4: Coverings
- Tiler: floor and wall tiles
- Carpenter: doors, skirting, frames
Phase 5: Finishing
- Painter: undercoat and finishes
- Electrician: fittings (sockets, switches)
- Plumber: sanitary equipment
Order is CRUCIAL: if you bring in the tiler before the plumber, you’ll have to break the tiles to run the pipes.
