The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s a place where cooking can relax the mind, where fabulous dinner parties are created, where you enjoy your morning coffee, where your pets enjoy a favorite sunbathing spot, and often, it’s where family holiday memories are made. (In my own home, it’s become my seven-year-old’s slime making science laboratory.) So when thinking of a kitchen renovation, there are so many factors to consider before you start.
Before Kickoff
As with any home renovation, budget is often at the top of the list of things to consider before getting started. Creating a budget for your project will give you an idea of your limitations for your renovation. Keep in mind that often, renovations can lead to unexpected expenses, as problems with plumbing or framing can arise.
Prioritize your wishlist in order from features you must have, to features you want to have. Be willing to place some of your wants at the bottom of the list. These are things that you can do without, should you end up having some restraints with your budget.
Whether you’re tearing out and starting from a blank canvas or just making a few changes, you’ll need to consider several factors in terms of budget such as:
- Demolition
- Framing repairs
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Insulation
- Drywall
- Appliances
- Flooring
- Cabinetry
- Paint or wall treatments
- Window treatments
- Sink and faucet fixtures
- Hardware
- Lighting
- Backsplash
Inch by Inch
Once you have created your budget, your next step is to take measurements. As you can imagine, many issues often arise in kitchen renovations due to inaccurate measurements so be sure to properly measure your space as well as your appliances. There’s nothing worse than purchasing a new appliance and having it delivered, only to realize it simply won’t fit. However, you can avoid such issues by utilizing a proper layout.
Work It
A proper layout design should easily accommodate your standard sized appliances. A popular kitchen layout design strategy is the working triangle. This is a principle mostly based on functionality, where the three main points in your kitchen (fridge/pantry, sink, cooktop/oven) form a triangle and are placed so that you can easily move from storage, to preparation, to cooking. You’ll also want to consider the amount of space surrounding your appliances. For example, in my last home, my dishwasher blocked access to the sink when open. This drove my spouse crazy. Over time, small issues like this, may become bigger issues for you later. In addition, these are the types of things potential buyers will notice when you go to put your home on the market — so be sure that your layout makes sense and is functional.
Storage Is a Must-Have
Next up is storage. The kitchen is one of the rooms in your home where you store the most items. From dishes, to cookware, bakeware, tupperware, smaller appliances and kitchen gadgets, you’ll need ample space for storage. Not having proper storage in a kitchen can definitely impact your kitchen’s functionality. If you are limited on space, you’ll need to get creative with storage ideas. Start by accessing all the cabinetry space you can find. Possible solutions include extending cabinets to the ceiling, adding a small island with storage underneath, hanging storage for cookware and floating shelves for dishes. Some of these ideas may even add uniqueness and charm to your design.
Good to Know
The right contractor can help you construct a plan to incorporate everything you want into your renovation.
Food for Thought
These days, a pantry is a necessity, especially for larger families. If your current kitchen is lacking a pantry, you’ll definitely want to be sure to incorporate one into your renovation plans. The right contractor can help you construct a plan to incorporate everything you want into your renovation. We’ve put together some of the top questions to ask your contractor when completing a kitchen reno:
- How many kitchen renovations have you completed?
- Can I see examples of your work?
- How long does it typically take to complete a kitchen renovation from start to finish?
- How many jobs do you work at one time?
- If we run into unexpected problems and need immediate assistance, what is the best way to get in touch with you?
- Will this renovation require any permits? If so, what are the proper steps to obtain them?
- What are your typical working hours?
- What is your payment schedule? (You’ll want to get this information in writing and avoid making large payments upfront. A respectable contractor like the ones in the At Home Pros network should not ask for large payments up front).
- Can I be notified if other workers are needed to complete this job and informed of their work schedule?
- Do you prep the area to avoid tracking a mess in and out of the home, and will you clean up when you’re finished?
Overall, the best way to prepare for a kitchen renovation is to think about what you wish you had, the problems you have that annoy you, and things you want to add to address those issues — along with ways to update the look and design to make your space more appealing. By now, I’m sure you’ve got some ideas to get you started. Let At Home Pros help you turn your kitchen dud into a kitchen stud!