So you’ve decided to remodel your kitchen, now what happens?
Many homeowners start at different stages because they are blind in the process. Maybe you’re shopping around for new appliances at your local home improvement store or gathering “inspiration” via Instagram or Pinterest. Most homeowners spend more time dreaming and shopping around than it actually takes to get the whole remodel done!
Let’s get you on the right track now, here are the mental and physical steps to have a successful, low stress, and efficient kitchen remodel.
What do you want to get out of your remodel?
The first step to any project is to figure out what you want to achieve as an end result. Of course a beautiful and functional kitchen is the goal, but there are a lot of steps to get to that point.
How many people cook at one time in the kitchen? How is the work triangle going to work out in terms of layout and functionality. Can you work with the current layout, do you need to relocate appliances and cabinets, or are you taking down walls and doing a gut job?
Ponder these questions while looking and saving inspirational photos of kitchens you use to create your own masterpiece.
Confirm layout
This may be a hard pill for some to swallow. We see these expansive kitchens with massive islands, fully open concept, and it’s hard to come back to a more closed off kitchen. Not every home is conducive to an open concept layout while in budget. Some homes can’t do it at all unless you want to take up the majority of your living space. No matter what happens, be realistic and know that no matter how your kitchen ends up, it’ll be better than it is now.
Research
Once your plan is set, the next thing to do is set a budget, then research. The best place to start is by figuring out the scope of work that needs to be done. Are you able to do these, should you hire a contractor? Once figuring out what can be a DIY project, and what could use a contractor, start calling around to get quotes. Never accept the first bid, shop around and make sure your contractor has a quality portfolio.
Design and features
Here is the “fun” part! You get to take all those saved photos and choose what you do and don’t like about each. Pick your new appliances, hardware, cabinet color, door style, flooring lighting etc. This will go a bit hand-n-hand with the contractor you choose, and you will have to discuss with them to get a more “hard” price for the project. Do your research for hardware, sinks and faucets, not everything is created equal!
Let the work begin!
Once everything is planned, bids are made, it is time to prepare for demo! Make sure to have a secondary place to cook and store meals while your kitchen is a war zone. It is never hard living through a renovation, but it will be so worth it!
Toward the end, examine everything and make sure everything is being done appropriately and nothing is being missed!
Congrats! Soon you’ll have a brand new space to host and create brand new memories.
