Do you want to have an updated kitchen in time for the New Year? A well-designed kitchen remodeling project can transform how you live and how you and others experience your home! This is how to develop knowing what you want and need so that an experienced professional can do your custom design, help with selections, and can get you in the schedule! Here are steps on how to prepare for kitchen remodeling.
1. Define what is not working. Considering your day-to-day experience, do you have enough storage so that counters can stay clear and things are easily found? Is the layout in a functional flow from refrigerator to sink to stove facilitating the ease of cooking? Are the appliances energy efficient and sized to your needs? Can more than one person be preparing a meal at a time? Can you host get-togethers and entertain how you would like?
2. Gather photos of your style. Pictures say a thousand words, so collect photos of what you really like and are attracted to, even what you really don’t like is good way to communicate too. You can do a search on Houzz of popular images. Look for types and color of cabinets, if you like open shelving, what countertop colors, backsplash styles, type of flooring, lighting, and the like.
3. Set a budget. If you need to keep costs to a minimum, try to keep the kitchen layout and appliance location the same. Determine what you want to invest, knowing that typically 10% will be set aside for unforeseen expenses discovered at demolition, such as termites or water damage. According to the annual cost vs value report, an average of 40-50% of the investment into a well-designed kitchen will raise the home’s value by that amount. Telling a designer what your budget is will help them guide you how to stay within budget, and of where money can be saved, and where it makes sense to splurge, and if something needs to be deleted.
4. Hire a professional design-build firm. Look for a licensed, insured company that offers experience and longevity. Check out their website for examples of their work, awards, professional affiliations, and reviews. If you like what you see, make an appointment to interview them. Do they have their own employees that will work on your project, and a regular set of specialty contractors (electricians, etc.)? What do customers say they are known for (on-time? on-budget? clean job site?). Explain your project to them, do they come up with good solutions? How well do they listen? Will they help with selections?
And here is a bonus tip!
Do not buy package deals without consulting your designer. It is important to have a plan in place first to make sure what is purchased will fit. A design-build firm will be dealers for quality products, or have accounts that more often will help you obtain a higher quality product for about the same price as big box stores.
Happy Kitchen Remodeling!
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