Remodeling a kitchen is an exciting and rewarding project, but it can also be overwhelming. To ensure that your kitchen remodel goes smoothly, it's important to plan ahead and have a clear idea of what you want and what you can afford. This guide will walk you through the steps of planning a kitchen remodel, from determining your budget to hiring professionals and drawing up a plan. Before you start planning your kitchen remodel, it's important to evaluate your wants and needs.
Make two lists: one of “must-haves” and one of “nice-to-haves”. Your “must-haves” list should include all the features that are non-negotiable for your renovation, while the “nice-to-haves” list should include any features that you'd like to include if you have the resources available. When it comes to selecting the style of your kitchen cabinets, it's best to choose early in the process. If your cabinets are going to be hand painted on site, you can wait until other elements of your kitchen remodel are decided before selecting a color.
However, if they're not being painted on site, you'll need to decide on the color of the cabinets first. Once you have a clear idea of your practical and design requirements, draw up a plan, divide the project into specific tasks with deadlines, and allocate segments of your budget. Don't forget to take into account the delivery time of any accessories or appliances you're ordering and reserve an additional sum (usually 5 to 10 percent of the total) in case you need to make unexpected changes as you go. The length of time it takes to complete a kitchen remodel depends on the size of the space and your plans.
For a medium-sized space, expect 6 to 8 weeks for a complete remodel. If structural work is needed, expect a longer renovation time, around 10 to 12 weeks, not including the planning and design stages. Developing a payment plan for your kitchen renovation is an essential step in the process. Agree on the deadline in advance and the amount you'll pay in deposit at the beginning of the project; this should never be more than a quarter of the total cost.
If your project is turning out to be more expensive than expected, you'll need to find a way to finance it; the easiest way is to take out a home improvement loan or use a zero percent credit card. The kitchen triangle – that three-sided connection between the stove, sink and refrigerator – is practically sacrosanct in kitchen design manuals. When planning your kitchen remodel, keep this triangle in mind as it will help ensure that your kitchen is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. When it comes time for demolition and construction work, keep in mind that if there will be intensive renovation work (e.g., structural changes to walls, floor replacements, plumbing) made in rooms just above the kitchen, do this work before starting on the kitchen. This is because vibration from plumbing work or fresh paint can cause cracks in newly painted ceilings. By far, the easiest and most expensive way to remodel a kitchen is to transfer most of the planning, design, and management from workers to a general contractor. However, if you're willing to put in some time and effort yourself, you can save money by doing some of the work yourself. Before meeting with a designer to discuss your kitchen remodeling ideas, spend some time considering what you want in terms of style and features.
Most often, however, one of these classic kitchen design plans will be the logical choice for your new kitchen. With a realistic idea of what you need in a new kitchen and a determined flexibility mindset, you can start brainstorming and refining a concrete and viable plan for your new kitchen. With everything from design tips to hiring professionals and drawing up an effective budget, read on and start renovating your kitchen.
