When it comes to home remodeling projects, the kitchen is perhaps the most popular place where people choose to start. Between the outdated appliances, tacky wood paneling, and uninspired layout, there’s more than enough to change for the better. Furthermore, doing so makes it easier for moms and dads to prep, cook, and clean. And in due time, these things will be more accessible and enjoyable for the younger members of your flock.
Whether a long overdue dream or a recent project, here are several essential tips to consider before embarking on a kitchen remodeling project:
Evaluate the endeavor
Are you willing to go through the hassles and headaches associated with a major home improvement project? Sure, everything could go according to plan and fall into place with minimal drama. But don’t bet on it. Consider the project’s scope and what it could mean before it’s all said and done. Are you prepared to endure that? What about the rest of your family? Having an accurate gauge on this variable will prove essential going forward.
Leave it to the professionals
Maybe you spent a summer painting houses in high school. Or you know your way around basic power tools, thanks to your determined dad. While you might be able to do some of the work required to renovate your kitchen, chances are you lack the skills and expertise to do it all. With this in mind, read Networx reviews and other online testimonials to find dependable contractors in your area. Whether putting in new cabinets or installing new plumbing, you want someone you can trust.
Let practicality prevail
Chances are, the remodeled kitchen of your dreams looks a specific way in your head. It’s looked the same way for years. Now’s the time to make it happen, but the contractor tells you that configuration is impractical or cost-prohibitive. Rather than insist on having it look exactly the way you imagined, open yourself up to the possibility of compromise. Take what the professionals have to say as more than an inconvenient opinion. For instance, you might be told your plans are flawed because they require an expensive expansion of the existing plumbing, whereas a similar approach can avoid such an endeavor. Wouldn’t you prefer the easier, more practical option if given the chance?
Establish a spending limit
There needs to be a spending limit from the start. Otherwise, you can find yourself justifying the doubling or tripling of your original estimate. Determine the maximum you are willing to shell out for a kitchen remodeling project and agree to stick to it no matter what. If you end up with a figure within a few thousand of the expected cost, consider holding off for a few more years. You want to be willing to go over by at least $3000 over budget. But you probably don’t want to tell your contractor that!
Prepare yourself for potential setbacks
Your kitchen remodeling project may unfold with no surprise problems or last minute drama. But we wouldn’t count on it. Bet on one or more unexpected events and circumstances getting in the way between you and a successful kitchen remodel. With that said, don’t let these hiccups discourage you from getting the kitchen of your dreams. Instead, factor their potential into your determination to get the job done. That way, if you need asbestos abatement or a whole new water system, you’re less frazzled than you’d be if it were a shock to the system.
Consider the inconvenience
We’re going to bet you don’t have a second kitchen in your house. If you decide to commit to a kitchen remodeling project, you must consider the inconvenience of having limited access to your kitchen. There might be days where you have no access whatsoever. Your family can live off carryout and delivery for a few weeks, but any longer will be a burden on your wallet as well as your waistlines unless additional measures are taken.
Many homeowners fantasize about remodeling their kitchens. After all, doing so is the key to better living. But making it happen can be easier said than done. To pull off a successful kitchen remodeling project, homeowners need a plan they can count on, contractors they can trust, and old-fashioned common sense.