If your kitchen looks like it’s from the era of Roseanne or One Day at a Time, it just might be time to upgrade. Out of all of the rooms in your home, the kitchen may be the one that requires the most length of time to complete.
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, “Building or renovating a kitchen is one of the most important investments you will make in your home. Not only does it involve careful planning, but also extensive research and building knowledge.” With the time and money invested, you want to ensure that the end result will be your dream kitchen.
Having a kitchen remodel checklist will help to solidify what you need to do, who’s going to do it, when can you schedule it and how long will it take to be done, and how much money will be involved in the project.
Kitchen remodeling offers one of the highest returns on investment, so you need to be sure to you get what you pay for. During the preliminary part of the project, it is crucial to consult professionals. However, before your consultation, you need to know the right questions to ask.
Create a plan. Be sure to take the time to plan. The planning stage is one of the most important phases of your kitchen remodeling project. This lets you set a solid foundation with which to build your expectations. Don’t be unrealistic…be flexible in your timeline. Planning for a kitchen remodel can take weeks, even months, but in the end it will help you stay on track, and stay on budget.
Identify your project goals and prioritize. Remodeling your kitchen is a rewarding project, filled with decisions, choices of styles, budgeting, and prioritizing. Your kitchen should reflect your tastes, interests, and lifestyle. Make a list of priorities. Do you want a specific design? An open model? Additional square footage? A cleaner, more clutter-free look? Can you do without the luxury flooring so you can have all new ? When thinking about the colors of the flooring, countertops, cabinets, and walls, be sure to also consider the complementary colors as well. This will help to ensure the aesthetics of your design.
Know your kitchen. If you’re planning an extensive remodel, planning the design of the room is imperative. What are your current kitchen’s design, layout, and functionality? What do you want to be your new kitchen’s design, layout, and functionality? Thanks to the internet, you can browse online kitchen remodeling photo galleries to help you choose your style and design. However, if you prefer to see styles and designs in person, you can always visit a showroom.
Set a budget. Know your budget and what your monies will be used for such as new countertops, cabinets, , flooring, or knocking down a wall. Be realistic and plan your budget accordingly. Prices for kitchen remodeling are quite diverse depending on the amenities you prefer. From mid-range to upscale remodeling, the difference can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Your best bet is to consult a remodeling consultant to take into account your preferences, styles, and taste so they can discuss your options.
Consider your family. Remodeling a kitchen can be time-consuming and stressful for family members. Be sure you schedule a time when there are little to no family activities, school activities, holidays, and any other major commitments. Also, don’t forget about your pets. Pets tend to get stressed during breaks in routine, loud noises, and change of environment. And for their safety, be sure to keep them out of the work area.
Temporary kitchen. To help decrease the amount of stress and break in routine during your remodel, set up a temporary kitchen area with a microwave, refrigerator, and extra storage space. Having non-perishable items on-hand that are simple to prepare will make eating meals easy. If possible, bake items beforehand that can be put in the freezer and defrosted during your kitchen remodel. Oh, and don’t forget that you won’t have a dishwasher at your disposal, so stock up on paper plates, cups, bowls, and plastic ware.
Hire a design/build contractor. The design/build contractor can help finance, design, and build your kitchen remodeling project. Consult with the contractor to discuss rates, research their expertise, and determine their reliability. Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals or previous clients. Your contractor will discuss such elements as styles, colors, designs, , flooring, and countertops to help you create the kitchen of your dreams.
Relax and enjoy. A lot has been invested in building your beautiful, well-designed, and functional new kitchen. You’ve created the perfect place to unwind, entertain, and share meals with your family. So, go ahead…relax and enjoy!!
Here is a 2019 Kitchen Remodel Checklist to use as a guide for your new
kitchen renovation project. Print it out…Fill it in…use it.