Kitchen Remodels Do’s and Don’ts

Kitchen remodels remain one of the most popular home remodeling projects that homeowners undertake.

Your kitchen can be one of the more expensive projects. You’ve seen some of the very extravagant kitchen upgrades in home decor and designer magazines. These high-end kitchen remodels can cost as much as $100,000 or more. While beautiful to admire, that’s can be beyond the budget of many Americans looking to improve their kitchen.

Do think out carefully what areas you want to improve and how your budget will handle the job. Even a sketched-out plan and a consultation with a designer is better than just jumping in with an “idea” of what you want. As you plan out what you want to do, you can start putting together a budget. Soon, you will start seeing a better picture of what can happen and what will stay on the planning table for now.

Don’t be unprepared in this project. Know everything you can about the changes you are about to make and how you will make them.

Do gather ideas if you are not sure of the details you want. Home improvement magazines, kitchen brochures, designer magazines can help

Do not risk it.

First off, kitchen remodeling is not an easy task. The larger your planned project is, the more costly any mistake would be. So unless you are an interior decorator, architect or contractor yourself; do not even think about handling things unskilled and unexperienced. One of the keys to the success of your project is craftsmanship, thus making your choice of local contractor crucial. Though the selection process might take a good deal of your time and effort, it would eventually save you from the backbreaking job and more costs in the end.

Do not proceed without the essentials.

It pays to take care of the documentations and legalities first before taking actual steps to start the planned home improvement project. Acquire necessary permits or (if this is comprised with the contractor services) have your hired contractor do this. It is also important that the professional you hire services locally to ensure that he is already well-versed with residential building codes in the area.

Do keep lines of communication open.

One consideration in choosing a kitchen remodeling contractor is the comfort level at which you could communicate and do business with him. This is important to avoid any gap in communication that may lead to problems whether in the contractor-client relationship or in the ongoing project. Make it a point to discuss everything there is to talk about from the planning stage, throughout the construction and up to the finishing.

Do not bypass little details.

These little things can make a huge impact on your kitchen remodeling project. When setting a budget, be flexible and allot more than what you expect to spend. Do not get caught off-guard by unexpected expenses. Follow simple guidelines that could make your kitchen more functional such as the right height for cabinets so that you would not have a hard time reaching things, fire safety and prevention, the waste bins and others.

Important Things to Consider When Planning Kitchen Design

The first kitchen remodeling tip is to consider the three basic kitchen functions: storage, food preparation, and clean-up. A well-thought out kitchen design will accommodate each of these three functions.

Ease of movement and convenient layout of kitchen design is important. The classic “work triangle” should be the basis of the floor plan. The kitchen sink, refrigerator, and stove, as the three kitchen features used most often, should be arranged in a triangular pattern.

The work triangle concept saves unnecessary steps when preparing foods, and proves the most convenient layout design.

Another kitchen remodeling idea is to incorporate more than one work center so that more than one person can work efficiently in the kitchen at one time. A self-standing chopping block, service island, or other similar kitchen feature will increase convenient work space.

Even when space is very limited, an extra work area can be created by separating the microwave oven and the stove. Provide free counter space at the other end of the kitchen where a cutting board could be placed for food preparation. Enabling a second person to help with mealtime preparation without the two people getting in each other’s way.

Kitchen Remodeling is a Job for Pros

Unlike a living room remodel where you paint your walls, hang window treatments or install laminate flooring, kitchen remodeling is far more involved. In addition to involving plumbing, electrical and sometimes gas, kitchen remodeling projects need to incorporate essential traffic patterns and key material choices in order to be both safe and efficient. This is why hiring a professional designer to assist with planning your remodeling project is important.

Remodeling for the Masses

While it may be a real estate cliché, kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. That’s why it’s essential that when you begin your remodeling project that you plan for the long-term. While it’s important to incorporate your own tastes into your kitchen design, going too far can, according to the NKBA, effect the long-term value of your home so you’ll want to keep your remodeling project from becoming, “too unique”.

Choose a Remodeling Pro with the Right Stuff

While having professional assistance with kitchen remodeling projects is essential, it’s important to know that not all remodeling and home improvement professionals have the experience and knowledge necessary to execute a kitchen remodeling project. When it comes to selecting someone for your remodeling project, take the time to verify their experience and be sure to choose someone who not only has done a variety of kitchen remodels, but who can provide ample references.