How Do I Start Planning a Kitchen Remodel?
How Do I Start Planning a Kitchen Update?
When done properly, a kitchen remodel can make your home more enjoyable and prove to be a valuable investment. It can also be a relatively expensive undertaking with bumps along with way if it’s not planned properly or completed by a qualified professional. You may be pushing off a kitchen project because the process feels overwhelming - or maybe you can’t picture the end result. If you follow these steps, you will start your kitchen project on the right foot and get a space that you love spending time in.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
It can be frustrating to you and the professional that you hire if you have not put much thought in to how you want your new kitchen to look. While remodeling companies can give you suggestions and have a gallery of their recent work you can browse, they are not in your kitchen every day and don’t know what works best for you and your family. Start by making a list of all the reasons why you want to update your space. What is your motivation? What are your aims and end goals? Do you want to change the look of the cabinets, the layout, the functionality, gain storage space, etc.? Make a list of specific things you want to change. What features are missing? Next, assess your wants and needs by observing how your kitchen works. Who cooks? How often? What type of cooking happens? What other activities take place in the kitchen besides cooking? Don’t forget the fun part: Browse magazines, design stores, and the internet for inspiration!
Set a timeline
When it comes to remodeling, everything depends on the scope of the project. If you are happy with most of your kitchen, there are ways to give your whole kitchen a face-lift in as little as one to five days! One way to help get yourself in the mind frame and get the ball rolling is to pick a specific month that you want the project completed by. Until you solidify a specific time, the project will continue to be just a dream.
Determine a budget
One reason kitchen updates get put off is because homeowners are often worried about the price tag that comes with a remodel. The truth is that there are plenty of ways to update your kitchen for a fraction of the price you are thinking. One of the biggest expenses to the project will be the cabinets, but did you know there are other options besides ripping out the cabinets and starting over? Could you restore your current cabinets and add new hardware? What about painting, redooring, or refacing the cabinets? All are options to cut costs and work with your existing cabinet boxes while gaining a modern new look.
Bring in the pros
You will most likely be hiring a remodeling company to manage your project. This is never the time to cut corners or take the cheapest quote because you never want to end up working with someone who has a bad track record. There are a variety of items you want to rate potential companies on; stability, reputation, and quality. Research potential companies online, read online reviews and testimonials, and browse galleries of their recent projects. Preparing for a home project can be an enjoyable experience if you put some thought and planning into your goals for the project and hire a professional that you trust. The kitchen industry is always changing with new and exciting options. Do some research into service options, materials, and hire a remodeler that is best for you.
