Homeowners feel apprehensive in the early phases of home renovations, especially when planning a larger project. Get your kitchen renovation off to a great start by following the seven essential steps, taking you from start to finish with confidence and peace of mind.
Step 1 - Dreaming
Do you suspect that a kitchen remodel is in your future, but don't know where to start? Dream first. Gather all of the information and inspiration you can, from home renovation magazines, web sources and even your favorite television shows. It helps to understand that many high profile kitchens are unattainable in the average suburban household, but this stage is all about possibilities.
Pay attention to color schemes, major features and layouts. You may not be able to duplicate an award winning kitchen design from the latest magazine spread, but mimicking the wall colors, flooring or cabinetry could work for your space and budget.
Step 2 - Visit a Few Showrooms
There are several stages or elements to a kitchen renovation, including:
- flooring
- cabinetry & countertops
- plumbing
- lighting
- wall finishing & tile
Find a selection of retail stores or showrooms in your area that showcase these elements and plan to visit. It may help to take along a sketch of your space or photos of the area, if you have them. Otherwise, simply make notes of the products and style that appeal to you and gather pricing and product information from the various retailers. Consider this a fact gathering mission and steel yourself against sales pitches and pressure.
Step 3 - Research the Contractors
Homeowners have several options when tackling a kitchen renovation. They could be their own general contractor and save money on the design and management portions, but the DIY route requires a fair amount of time and expertise. Hiring a kitchen designer or architect is another option. But hiring a general contractor to handle the details of your kitchen remodeling project remains the most popular choice.
Look up several contractors in your area and make a short list of three to four. Gather references and recommendations from friends and family members, and remember to check with local business associations for ratings and testimonials.
Contact those companies on the short list and make appointments to meet with an estimator. They may prefer to come to your home or you may need to visit their office, depending on how you both wish to do business.
Step 4 - Hammer Out the Design
Perhaps the most important element of any home renovation, the design process takes time and effort. Bring all of the information and ideas gathered in step one and work together with the contractors to come up with a design that suits your lifestyle today and into the future.
Since you'll only be hiring one company, you should expect a limited amount of help for free. Some contractors will charge for design services, while others offer some guidance and basic design as an opportunity to sell their company. Be respectful of their time and be prepared to pay for professional kitchen design services.
Step 5 - Align the Project Cost With Your Budget
Maybe you've come into this home improvement with a budget in mind, or perhaps you plan to form a budget once the design process is complete. However the numbers work, now is the time to check the projected cost against your budget. Can you afford the design as is, or do some things need to be sacrificed?
Remember to maintain a certain level of flexibility in your design and budget. Alterations and challenges are bound to crop up during the construction phase, and those things tend to affect one element or the other. You may need to spend more to overcome a challenge or alter the design to suit building code or make the space work. Get a budget and design down on paper, but keep them flexible over the course of your renovation project.
Step 6 - Prepare the House
Depending on the scope of your project, you may need to move out during construction. Your kitchen is well used, and if meal preparation and food storage cannot be safely moved into another area of the home, your family should make other living arrangements.
An average kitchen remodel takes anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 weeks, depending on how much work needs to be done. Try to schedule your remodel to suit your schedule, but understand that once the contractor gets to work, construction must continue at a steady pace until completion.
You can prepare the house by moving all items out of your kitchen, including food, dishes and paperwork. Clean the space well and arrange for traffic to flow outside of the immediate area for the duration of the project.
Close off ducts and vents in and around the kitchen, where possible. This helps to minimize dust and fumes from spreading into the balance of your home, although that issue cannot be completely overcome.
Step 7 - Let the Pros Work
You will need to be actively involved during the construction phase, even if you've hired a general contractor to handle things. Homeowner approval is often required at various points in the project, and your polite input will be welcomed by all trades. Remember to keep in regular contact with your general contractor, or with your subtrades, if you've opted for the DIY route.
Keep tabs on your communication with an email trail and be sure to get any major changes to the project scope in writing, including cost differences and construction details. Ask about scheduling and communicate any timing or safety issues your family has, allowing your contractor to serve you well.
Once the pros have completed their work, get ready for an inspection. Make notes of any service work required and agree on a deadline for those repairs. Release payments as required, and make sure to discuss any concerns directly with your contractor throughout the process and before the tradesman clean up and clear out.
Every kitchen renovation is a little different. Follow these seven essential steps to ensure your project goes smoothly from start to finish, from the dream stage through showroom visits, design, hiring and watching the professionals do their work. Enjoy how much a kitchen remodel transforms your home and living space and make the most of this valuable home improvement.
Posted by: dianaSuggested Reading For You
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