The kitchen is the heart of the home, as well as one of the most practically important rooms in the whole building; not to mention one of the spots that has the biggest impact on your property value. As such, a lot of people have the dream of updating, upgrading, and even expanding their kitchen to better suit their needs, but what if you have no idea about how to go about it? Here, we’re going to look at every step of the process, what you should start preparing in advance, and how to help things go a lot more smoothly.
Find Your Inspiration And Decide Your Priorities
First and foremost, you should hone your desire for a great kitchen into something a little more specific. Start gathering inspiration from magazines, social media, and by visiting showrooms in your area. You can begin to see styles, materials, and features that you want to incorporate, and consider things like whether you want to change the layout or even the size of your kitchen. Know your priorities and the things that you’re willing to splurge on, such as cutting-edge appliances, countertops, flooring, and other key features. This is also where you start thinking about how major a project it’s going to be and the kind of budget you might need.
Start Considering Your Space
When you want to start turning those ideas into practical plans, that’s when you need to start getting an idea of the space available to you. Start gathering accurate measurements of your space, including walls, windows, doors, and ceiling height. Think about the layout, as well, such as the work triangle, and what you can do to improve efficiency and ease of use for everyone in the kitchen. This might also be where you want to start thinking about whether you need to extend or open up the space, whether it’s by knocking down a wall or literally building an extra bit of space to add to one side of the kitchen.
Create A Realistic Budget Breakdown
When you have a good idea of what you want to do with the kitchen, that’s when you start putting together the budget, which is one of the most important parts of any kitchen process. Decide on a clear overall budget amount you’re going to allow yourself to spend, then break it down into different expenses, such as labor, materials, appliances, and fixtures. You should always set a certain portion of your budget (around 5-10%) as a contingency fund for surprises, as renovations can often change in the process, or you might even uncover issues that you have to fix before you can go on with the work. Clearly defining your priorities can also help you better decide where to save and where to spend.
Find The Right Contractor
Unless you plan to do it all by yourself (which isn’t recommended if you have any plumbing or electrical changes to put in place), you’re going to need a contractor to carry out the project for you. Take your time to research, check the reviews and past works of any teams you look at, and be willing to request quotes from multiple professionals. It’s not just the price you’re looking to find out here, but how promptly they reply, and their communication style. If you’re not getting good vibes from the outset, then you might not work too well with them when the project is actually underway, as well.
The Question Of Permits
Before you start the actual process of getting the work underway, you should find out whether or not you’re able to go ahead with your kitchen project without outside approval. You may need a permit to remodel your kitchen if, for instance, it requires any structural changes, any electrical updates, plumbing work, or gas installations. The specifics will depend on your location, so it’s important to research thoroughly, with the help of your contractor or a local authority. If you go ahead with the work without checking, only to later discover you did need a permit, it can result in fines, delays, or even being told that you have to stop or reverse the work that you’ve already done. Do your due diligence and prevent legal or practical issues down the line.
Schedule The Work Strategically
While you might want to get the work started as soon as possible, you should make sure that your schedule aligns with the project in a way that prevents complications. You might need to make a schedule in coordination with your contractor, making time for different phases, especially if there’s any demolition involved. You should try to avoid scheduling it with any other major life events so that you’re able to stay in touch with the team, especially if they need you to sign off on any changes. Be prepared for some flexibility, as well, as delays can happen due to material availability, or other unexpected issues.
Prepare For A Smooth Work Process
Living through a kitchen renovation can be a little challenging, but you can make it a lot less stressful with a little preparation. For instance, anticipate that you might need different means of feeding yourself for a while, such as preparing meals that can be easily made with a microwave, kettle, or portable stove. Simple meals and takeaway can be a lifesaver. If you have children or pets, then you might want to make sure that they have somewhere to stay during the busiest parts of the construction to keep them out of the way and minimize the chances of accidents happening. This might include finding a doggy daycare for your pets. With the right planning, you can keep your household running smoothly while your new kitchen comes together.
A complete kitchen renovation or remodel can be a complex process, but the tips above can help you begin to plot out your journey. Just make sure you keep your priorities in check so that you don’t end up with a kitchen that doesn’t really satisfy your needs and wants.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
