Kitchens are, without a doubt, one of the most rooms homeowners remodel the most often. According to construction industry data, over 10 million kitchens are remodeled annually. That means roughly 10 percent of all kitchens in the U.S. are remodeled each year. If you’re considering updating your home’s kitchen, taking specific steps will ensure the project is everything you expected.
Establish a Budget
Remodeling a kitchen is expensive, but there are ways to mitigate costs that help to stretch thin budgets. However, knowing in advance how much you can afford to invest in a kitchen remodel is essential. Without a pre-determined budget, costs can quickly get out of hand. Once the budget is determined, working with kitchen renovation services that understand your needs and constraints is easier.
List Your Needs and Wants
Next, evaluate the current kitchen to determine where it’s lacking. Is there too little storage space? Can more than one person work in the kitchen at the same time? Is square footage an issue? Those and many other questions must be answered during your evaluation of the current kitchen. Of course, list the current kitchen’s advantages at the same time. If the basic design works well, that’s a big plus, as you’ll only need to update components rather than add to or alter the space. This step is crucial, as the list will make a kitchen designer’s job easier during the design phase.
Design the New Kitchen
Now, contacting a kitchen design expert for advice is strongly recommended. Yes, feel free to have rough sketches of your dream kitchen ready to show the design expert, but keep an open mind during the process. Designers are trained to spot issues you may overlook and recommend improvements that improve the room’s functionality and help you stay within your budget.
When possible, design experts will recommend strategies like refacing cabinets or using a less-expensive countertop material to keep the budget under control. However, new cabinets will often be recommended when the existing ones are too dated or badly worn. If you’re objective is to update the style of a kitchen, new components will generally be needed.
Line Up a Contractor
In some cases, your designer will be affiliated with a company that also provides construction services. That can make the entire remodeling process flow smoothly and might save money. However, there are times when hiring a separate remodeling contractor is required. If that’s true, look for one that can coordinate the entire project. In other words, ensure the contractor will subcontract plumbers, electricians, and any other trades required to complete the project.
Be Prepared to Do Without a Kitchen During the Remodeling Process
Some remodeling experts recommend moving out of the home during the remodeling process, especially when structural changes are required. If the process is confined to an existing kitchen space, you may continue to live in the home during the construction, but you won’t have a kitchen to use. That may mean setting up temporary facilities elsewhere in the home to get by during the construction.
Start Preparing Now
Remodeling a kitchen is never simple, so it always pays to work with experts with a history of using quality products and providing true craftsmanship. The best contractors coordinate all phases of the design and construction process to ensure every homeowner ends up with a kitchen they’re proud of and where it is a joy to cook. If you’re considering remodeling your kitchen, start the process now by contacting a kitchen remodeling expert.
