Remodeling your kitchen is a big undertaking, and if you want successful results, there needs to be a lot of preparation before jumping in with the hammers to knock down those walls.
Asking yourself some very important questions can help you set realistic expectations, make the process more predictable, and give you positive results.
Consider these 10 questions before you begin:
1. Why do you want to remodel your kitchen?
First of all, decide why you really want to remodel your kitchen. This is an important project, so deciding what improvements you really want to make to your kitchen will help you get your planning off to a good start.
Spend time in your kitchen and decide the main goals you want to achieve with your kitchen remodel. List the areas of your kitchen that you want to improve and then prioritize them. Later in the process, if you have to take shortcuts to stay within your budget, you can go straight to the items at the bottom of your list.
2. How will the remodeling process affect your life?
Living in your home while you remodel your kitchen will present some drawbacks. So be realistic about this before you start and make alternate plans before getting into the business. Talk to your family ahead of time and make sure everyone is on board for a little inconvenience until your kitchen is up and running again. Plan ahead and think about where your temporary “kitchen” will be. Decide where you will wash the dishes, maybe the guest bathroom? Think about eating out more often and plan to use the grill and microwave for meals at home.
3. To gut or not to gut?
Don’t bite off more than you can chew, as the old saying goes. If it goes in and starts, you have no choice but to replace everything. So be sure of your budget and actual replacement cost before starting work.
4. Is your perfect schedule realistic?
No matter how well you plan ahead, unpredictable events can interfere with your plans. Delays in receiving materials and other unplanned circumstances can, and probably will, affect your perfect schedule.
The best idea is to keep some filler in place while you schedule each aspect of the process. For example, if you are scheduling your sink to install the day after the countertops are finished, add an extra day or two in between. Also, order your cabinets, appliances, tiles, etc., before starting the project.
5. What recommendations will you follow?
In your kitchen remodel project, you will have to deal with many different people, possibly an electrician, plumber, painter, decorator, installers of all kinds.
It is important to listen to the recommendations of the experts, but do not get carried away by making decisions that go beyond what you need and beyond the price you can afford. Try to stick to your priority list to make sure you get the most out of your project and don’t skimp on the quality of the things you want most.
6. How do you find a reliable contractor?
First of all, don’t tackle this project yourself if you are inexperienced; You’ll be glad to have professionals when all is said and done. Don’t settle for the first contractor you talk to. And don’t just go for the cheapest budget.
It’s okay to have more than one budget, and you need to make sure your contractor is qualified, bonded, insured, and experienced. And get it all in writing to avoid complications later. Getting recommendations is always a smart decision on your part.
7. Have you measured thoroughly?
One of the most disappointing and costly mistakes you can make on a remodel project is ordering appliances or cabinets, completing work to prepare for the installation, and then discovering that your appliance, sink, or cabinets won’t fit in the space.
Do yourself a favor and work with an architect or kitchen designer who can come up with your plans. Then choose professional installers who can understand and implement the plans effectively.
8. Does the kitchen of your dreams fit in with the rest of your home?
One of the worst decorating mistakes you can make is creating a dream kitchen that doesn’t work at all with the rest of your home. Don’t create a stylish contemporary kitchen if the rest of your home is traditional.
You can find a happy middle ground and have a great style that will complement the rest of your home and still meet the needs of an updated kitchen. Be reasonable in your choices and consider balancing the style of your new kitchen with your existing décor.
9. What kinds of appliances are realistic for your needs?
Unless you are a gourmet cook, you may not need the most expensive stove with all the amenities. Again, balance is the key to making good decisions. If you like to cook and have always wanted a gas stove instead of an electric stove, that’s reasonable.
Don’t go overboard with any appliance just because you see it on the cooking net. Choose the types of appliances that really suit your purposes and add efficiency and style to your new kitchen.
10. What about lighting?
Good lighting makes a big difference in your kitchen environment. But you also need useful lighting for work areas.
One of the most popular types of lighting in today’s kitchen is recessed lighting under cabinets. If you choose this type of lighting, make sure the bottom of the cabinet is recessed as well so your light fixtures are not visible.
And don’t forget a plan for your electrical outlets. There is nothing more disappointing than great kitchen appliances without a logical place to plug them in.
There is a lot to think about when planning to remodel your kitchen. If you take your time, do your homework, plan ahead, and stay flexible, you can survive and end up with a great new kitchen as a gathering place for family and friends to enjoy for years to come.