5 Things to Consider Before Remodeling Your Kitchen

Kitchens are one of the hardest working rooms in your home and the design of them is typically more complicated than other spaces. Most of us spend more waking hours in our kitchens than in any other room in our home and because they are so often the central gathering spot for family and friends, we want them to be not only functional, but beautiful too! 

“Most of us spend more waking hours in our kitchens than in any other room in our home.”

Kitchen planning often involves relocating plumbing, electrical, or gas lines and sometimes even removing, relocating or adding walls, which can make renovating these spaces expensive.  Before you start looking for that perfect backsplash tile, or demo that old vinyl flooring, consider these important points to get your project started on the right track. 

1. DEFINE YOUR “WHY”

Are your cabinet doors falling off their hinges?  Do you cringe at the thought of hosting one more dinner party in your outdated 80’s kitchen?  Maybe you need a better layout or more storage.

“Knowing why you want to remodel gives you a foundation for developing the scope of your project or what you’d like to achieve with your remodel.”

One of the first questions I ask clients preparing for a kitchen remodel is “Are you planning to sell in the next couple of years?”  If the answer is “yes” then we will approach the project differently than if they plan to stay long term and enjoy the home themselves. 

The moral here is, define the issues with your kitchen, the ultimate reasons behind your decision to remodel it and then start making your wish list.

2. CREATE A LIST

This is where you create your wish list or project scope. What would you like to accomplish with your remodel?  Do you want to knock out a wall and add an island for an open concept kitchen?  Do you want to brighten up the room with new lighting? How do you want the space to function and feel when the project is completed?

“Write down your list of desired changes and project goals.”

Writing down your list of desired changes and project goals before you meet with a designer or contractor will help them understand your project scope and what the projected costs might be.

3. THE “B” WORD

We don’t like to talk about it, but we all have one...a BUDGET.  There are many factors that affect how much you will pay for a kitchen remodel project including where you live, home value, the contractors rates, the scope of the project and the quality of the products and materials selected.  

Most homeowners have no idea what to expect in terms of kitchen remodeling costs, but most have an investment amount in mind they are comfortable with.  

“The best thing you can do is establish a realistic budget and find a contractor that will work within that budget.”

You may not be able to do everything on your list, but a good contractor will tell you what your options are and what you can get for your budget.

Since there is such a wide range of costs, it is important to get several estimates for your project so you can determine if you are financially ready to embark on building the kitchen of your dreams.  The best way to do this is to have a design plan in hand.

4. DESIGN FOR SUCCESS

So often homeowners will begin by reaching out to a handful of contractors for pricing on their kitchen remodel with no design plan or products selected. It’s impossible for a contractor to give you an accurate estimate without knowing the details of the design.  What you end up with are “ball-park figures” which result in additional charges during construction. The more vague the plan and product selections, the less accurate your project pricing will be.

“It’s impossible for a contractor to give you an accurate estimate without knowing the details of the design.”

Hiring an interior designer to help you create a detailed plan is an expense that more than pays for itself in the long run!  An experienced designer can save you time and money by heading off potential problems at the pass and bringing to your attention design solutions you may never have thought of. They are experts at space planning and will help you select fixtures and materials within budget that will make your kitchen not only look beautiful and cohesive but function properly as well.  Designers can also work with your contractor during construction to ensure your design is being built to plan.

5. SCHEDULES

Another important factor to consider prior to beginning your kitchen remodel is your schedule, the contractors schedule and the project time frame.  Why are you choosing to remodel at this time? Do you have deadlines you are trying to hit?

A great way to set yourself up for disappointment is to reach out to a designer or remodeling contractor in October with the hope of having a new kitchen designed and built in time for holiday entertaining. It just won’t happen. If a contractor says he or she can do that, you should be very wary. 

The design process itself can take several weeks and most contractors wisely have a pipeline of projects that keep them booked out several months.  This doesn’t mean you can’t begin the design and product selection process, but construction will only start once a plan is in place and your project makes its way to the top of the contractor’s cue.  

“Assuming all materials and products are onsite prior to demolition, a typical kitchen remodel can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks or more, and you’ll be without the use of your kitchen the entire time.”

Many things can slow the momentum of a remodel project such as the availability of the trades (plumbers, electricians, stone fabricators, etc.), the number of changes made throughout the project or even natural disasters such as weather storms or coronavirus pandemics!  Contrary to the way it’s portrayed on HGTV, remodeling is not a fast process.

Kitchen remodeling is exciting and stressful all at the same time.  Your home is one of the most expensive things you own and when you remodel it you are investing in a better living environment for your family. Doing your pre-homework and really getting to the heart of your needs while being realistic about the costs and outcomes will set you up for a successful remodeling experience!

For the past 16 years I’ve been helping homeowners realize their kitchen dreams through thoughtful planning and design. If you have been considering remodeling your kitchen, reach out to learn how working with Birchleaf Interiors can help you create the kitchen you’ve been dreaming about.