Kitchen Renovation in Vevey

Are you looking for a kitchen renovation in Vevey? Between the lake, the old town and the buildings climbing towards the slopes, the town brings together very different homes, and a new kitchen is not prepared in the same way in a small flat in the centre as in a house. This page helps you define your Vevey kitchen project before you request quotes.

Kitchen in Vevey: the most common work

Renovating a kitchen is not just a matter of changing the cabinet fronts. Depending on the scale of the project, you will generally find:

• removal of the old kitchen, including disposal of the old units;
• plumbing: water supply, sink, dishwasher, drainage;
• electrics: sockets, worktop lighting, appliance circuits;
• the fitted units: wall and base cabinets, worktop, possibly an island;
• appliances: oven, hob, fridge, dishwasher;
• tiling or splashback, and repair of the walls and floor;
• ventilation or the extractor hood, which depends greatly on the layout of the home.

Not everything has to be redone each time. Some owners keep the layout and only replace the units and appliances; others move the sink or open the kitchen onto the living room, which affects the plumbing, the electrics and sometimes the partition walls.

Flat in town or house in Vevey: two different projects

Vevey is a town on the Riviera, on the shores of Lake Geneva, known for its large Market Square open to the lake and for the presence of Nestlé. Part of the housing stock is in a dense urban setting, with flats whose kitchens are often compact.

Small urban flats. When the kitchen is narrow, every centimetre counts. Made-to-measure units make better use of corners, heights and recesses; however, they are priced differently from a set of standard units. Think about the hood too: in a room with no window or visible duct, the choice between extraction and recirculation depends on what the building allows.

Older buildings. In an older building in the centre, the kitchen sometimes hides surprises: pipes that have aged, electrical installations that need bringing up to standard, uneven walls and floors that complicate fitting the worktop. Ask the company to visit the premises before giving its price, rather than quoting from plans.

Houses. In a house, the kitchen is more often an opportunity to rethink the whole ground floor: opening onto the living room, access to a terrace or garden, choice of large appliances. The project then benefits from being planned together with the other rooms, notably the bathroom if you are renovating it at the same time.

What the location changes for a kitchen in Vevey

The climate on the shores of Lake Geneva is mild, and the terrain in the area is sloping, with hillsides. For a kitchen, this mainly affects access: a home on a higher level, a narrow staircase or a street that is difficult for a lorry complicate the delivery of units and appliances and the removal of the old ones. Mention these points in your request, as they influence how the work is organised.

The old town and the area around Market Square have their own constraints. In an old or protected building, a hole for the hood, a change to the façade or a change visible from outside may require the opinion of the commune. To the west, the Lavaux vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage site: if your property is within or close to this area, find out about the applicable rules before any project that affects the building envelope.

Most kitchen projects take place indoors, but they happen in occupied buildings. Let your neighbours know, check the house rules for noise hours and use of the lift, and plan a way to cook during the work.

Permits and approvals for your Vevey kitchen

Building permit. In the canton of Vaud, the building permit is issued by the municipality of the commune. When cantonal departments have to give an opinion, the file goes through the cantonal permits centre (CAMAC). A simple kitchen replacement does not necessarily require one, but moving partition walls, altering the façade or a project in a protected zone can change the situation. The right approach: ask the building department of the commune of Vevey before signing.

Energy. The canton of Vaud has an energy law, a cantonal energy department and a subsidy programme. A kitchen on its own is not the main focus of these schemes, but if your project comes with work on the building envelope or on the building’s installations, check with the relevant cantonal department what applies.

Tenants. For a rented home, the landlord’s written consent is required before starting the work. Describe what you want to change: new connections, different appliances, moving the sink, new ventilation. Also ask whether the home must be restored to its original state when you leave.

Co-ownership. If you own a flat under condominium ownership (PPE), some work affects the common parts: water risers, ventilation ducts, façade. Consult the co-ownership regulations and, if necessary, the administrator, before setting a schedule.

Preparing your request and comparing quotes in Vevey

Several trades follow one another in a kitchen; coordination is therefore the first point to decide. Either a single contact takes charge of everything and allocates the trades, or you coordinate them yourself as the client, which takes time and a good understanding of the order of work.

To obtain comparable offers, describe in your request:

1. the type of home (flat, house), its floor and the access;
2. the approximate age of the building, and whether you are an owner or a tenant;
3. what you keep and what you replace: layout, units, appliances, floor, walls;
4. the appliances you want, or those you supply yourself;
5. your wishes for ventilation or the hood;
6. your constraints: timing of the work, presence of children, kitchen that must remain usable.

A good quote itemises each item: removal and disposal, plumbing, electrics, fitted units, worktop, appliances, tiling or splashback, ventilation, finishes. Check that it states what is supplied and what remains your responsibility, how unforeseen issues are handled and what order of work is planned.

The cost varies with the size of the kitchen, the range of the units and appliances, the type of worktop, the need to redo the pipes or the electrical installation, the relocation of water points and access difficulties. Comparing two offers only makes sense if they start from the same description. To receive several proposals, you can request a quote: your request is passed on to tradespeople and companies in the area, who will contact you for a free, no-obligation quote.

Going further on Vevey and its projects

• The trade in general: kitchen renovation
• The town: work in Vevey
• The canton: canton of Vaud
• In the same commune: bathroom renovation in Vevey, air conditioning in Vevey and electrician in Vevey