The most popular of remodeling is the kitchen remodel. The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in a house to remodel. It is a HUGE job, both in the scope of the project and the budget. Before you sign a contract with a contractor and the demo begins, you need to consider a few things to prepare. Things like, setting a budget, communicating your vision, and planning for your kitchen being out of commission for a time period.

We pride ourselves in educating our clients on all of our remodeling projects and the expectations involved. Here is our guide for remodeling your kitchen.

Set a Defined Budget For Your Kitchen Remodel

First and foremost, be realistic about the cost of the remodel. Large kitchen renovation projects will often take more time and money than originally planned. We think a good practice is to set a conservative budget below your maximum budget to leave room for incidentals that are not planned. We like to leave 10 to 20 percent for unplanned expenses. Of course, we do our absolute best to provide the best value when choosing materials and allocating our man hours to keep you on budget and on time. We just don’t want to have budget issues and end up with settling for less than your original desires.

Research, Research, Research

We encourage our client to visit kitchen showrooms, use social media outlets like Pinterest or Houzz to find out what they want, research the cost of items, and decide upon their design plans. Touring homes for sale is also another great way to research kitchen layouts for your remodeling project.

Consider Hidden Costs

We remind our clients to factor into their budget taxes or shipping and delivery charges for items that have to be ordered. Due to the weight of the items used in a kitchen remodel, these charges can add up very quickly. Also, consider if there are any steps along the way that you would like to perform yourself. Even taking on just a few tasks can save you a significant amount of money.

Choose Quality

Just like buying clothing, we encourage our clients to buy the best quality their budget allows. When it comes to kitchen renovations, you want high-quality, functional items for your own use and for potential resale value. High-quality cabinets, appliances, fixtures, and countertops will last much longer to reduce the need to repeat the renovation process again while you are living in the home.

When appropriate, you might consider using materials that are gently used. Repurposing wood, painting older cabinets, and restoring old fixtures are a great way to reduce your budget. This depends on your style, but these ideas can greatly reduce expenses. You can also find great deals for high-end items while shopping online or through auction sites.

Decide on Your Needs vs. Wants

Try not to buy unnecessary items. With all of the cool gadgets and technical appliances, they can add up quickly. Reliable basics that you know you will put to use are a great measurement tool when comparing appliances and kitchen gadgets. Remember, a new appliance with more bells and whistles are usually followed by higher utility bills, not to mention the cost to repair if they break down.

Plan Your Kitchen Flow and Layout

Your kitchen needs to be practical and functional. You need to think a lot about how you use your current kitchen and identify how you would like your new kitchen remodel to flow. Look at your likes and dislikes and what work and what doesn’t in your current kitchen. Work with your project manager to layout the new remodel that will work best for you and your family.

Whenever you can, put in place the classic work triangle. The sink, refrigerator, and stove should be arranged in a triangular pattern since they are used the most. This is generally considered to be the most convenient setup because it saves unnecessary steps.

Put some thought into how many people work in your kitchen at the same time. If you have more than one chef in your house, consider multiple workstations to accommodate. Short on space? Think about an island or wheeled cart to add additional workspace.

Plan Your Kitchen Space Carefully

We can help you ensure your kitchen remodel is laid out properly and safely. We work with you about how to plan convenience. Here are a few items about mapping your kitchen remodeling space:

Coutnertops: Provide at least 36 inches of counter space for food preparation, 24 inches on one side of the sink and 18 inches on the other. If your kitchen allows for more, definitely make the room.

Appliances: Make sure that there is adequate space so that all doors open properly and you still walk in front of them. 30-48 inches is the standard, but it will vary depending on the appliance. Take note of the door swings on the refrigerator, dishwasher, ovens, and microwaves to allow enough room.

Walkways: Provide enough room for traffic flow. The standard is 42 inches between the counters and the island to allow peopl eto easily walk through without disrupting someone at the workstation.

Don’t Forget To Consider The Downtime

While your kitchen is being remodeled, your kitchen will be out of commission for a period of time. Be sure to plan on being able to provide meals during the construction. Eating out costs can add up QUICKLY!

Final Consideration Before Your Kitchen Remodel

Make sure your contractor and their design team have been in your home to evaluate your ideas and review the space available vs. the space needed. This will be a great time to confirm your space is planned to ensure efficiency, convenience, and ease of movement for you and your family. Stick to your budget, and don’t get excited about items that you won’t use or don’t need.

If you have any questions about having a kitchen remodel performed, please call us; we will be happy to help you. You can contact us at any time.