Where to Start in a Kitchen Remodel

Almost every remodel starts with the picture from a magazine, from Houzz, or from a random night of Pinterest searching. The wheels start turning and you begin to think about your dream kitchen. Whether a small alteration or complete renovation, the details from that picture play an important role in developing plans for your remodel. Use these steps to guide you through each stage and gain insight how to reach that dream kitchen.

Scope
Think extensively about what you want to achieve in your remodel—this will directly relate to your budget. A small update that you are looking to spend minimal money on can be accomplished quicker. Check out some ideas here. If the remodel is an entire gut because you are changing the way the space functions and appears, the planning and overall agenda becomes more complicated to manage and complete. When planning for a full gut, consider how your family will use the space and plan accordingly. The kitchen has become a multipurpose space in many homes and should be designed to accommodate.

Budget
Funding a kitchen remodel is comparable to buying a new car. While everyone wants the Ferrari, be realistic about what actually fits in your budget. Don’t forget to add in labor and unpredicted expenses. If this is your only kitchen and you do not have an opportunity to set up a makeshift kitchen in your home, there will be the expense of ordering takeout. Formica Corporation offers some guidance about how much to spend on your remodel.

Timeline
Making a realistic timeline is very important for a kitchen remodel. The scale of your remodel will dictate most of the schedule. If you are a working family and still planning on doing most of the project yourself, many nights and weekends will be consumed by this project. If hiring contractors, be sure to check on their anticipated timetable. Major renovations, which include moving walls, plumbing, and or new floors will add significant stages to all projects. Do not forget to add extra time for long lead times on items. Custom cabinets can take months, and you may be better off waiting until they are near completion before starting. Expect delays, because unfortunately no project is perfect.

Dare to Design
Deciding on a style can be exciting but it can also be overwhelming. Whether hiring a professional designer or not, pick a style that suits the architecture of the house and your style too. Beware when choosing overly trendy items like a glazed crackle finish on the cabinets. Not only is this more expensive, it is not ideal for resale when trying to appeal to a new buyer.

Refer back to the images you first started gathering when planning the details. Inspiration for hardware, lighting, counters, and even color schemes can be pulled from these images. Be open to objects that are similar instead of exactly the same so you are sure to find items to fit in your budget.

Hired Help
There’s good reason to call the professionals on a large remodel. Hiring an architect and/or designer will guide you through developing a budget, remodel, and timeline efficiently. They are also aware of building codes and skilled contractors. You can also hire a general contractor to oversee the entire remodel. He or she will hire all the sub contractors for smaller trades like tiling, plumbing, electrical, etc. It can save you time and trouble trying to line up all those professionals yourself.

If you are more of a DIY individual, don’t be afraid to consult the pros with questions and details. More often than not, you can find answers without reinventing the wheel.

Every remodel, small or large will take extensive planning and detailing. Try to enjoy the adventure and learn from everyone you meet. If you are getting ready to start your renovation, be sure to consult the idea pages on Houzz from Formica Corporation.