The first step of kitchen remodeling is planning for success.
After making the decision to remodel your kitchen, there are many things to consider. Like any other home renovation project, the very first step of remodeling a kitchen is planning. If you do not plan for each other step in your kitchen remodeling project then you will not have a successful project. Planning will save you time and money once the actual remodeling of the kitchen has begun. Ask yourself what you want for functionality and space, style and design, color, etc. Knowing what aspects of your current kitchen you want to keep the same and what needs change will help you to avoid changing plans in the middle of remodeling your kitchen.
Your kitchen is often the most essential room in your home, and your kitchen can also be one of the most expensive rooms to remodel. Setting a budget for your kitchen remodeling project and sticking to it will help you to separate your wants from your needs. When the main room in your home is in the midst of remodeling, a little kitchen remodeling preparation will go a long way. Max Alexander, writer for “This Old House Magazine,” suggests that six weeks of planning for kitchen remodeling is a must for a successful project. You will save time, money, and frustration if you properly plan for several key areas. The following article covers Kitchen Remodeling Planning and the basic steps you should take when (and before) remodeling your kitchen.
While there are some things you may be able to do yourself when remodeling your kitchen, it is important to know your limits when it comes to significant projects like plumbing and electrical work. Paying for a professional may be worth it if you want a successful kitchen remodeling project. Money is not the only factor when you do want to hire a contractor for kitchen remodeling, however. Make sure you do your research, get estimates from several local contractors who specialize in home renovation, and ask lots of questions. If you take care in the planning phase of kitchen remodeling, you are sure to have a successful kitchen remodeling project along with a beautiful new kitchen.
Budget
One miscalculation that will kill a renovation project is a budget error. Martha Stewart’s online primer for kitchen renovation lists setting a realistic budget as a primary concern. You are also advised to set aside an extra fund for emergency situations that may arise during the process. By defining carefully what you can spend for the entire renovation, including the contractor, labor, materials, finishes and decor, you will feel more in control as the spending begins. A budget will also help you narrow down your priorities so you spend your money on what is most important to you.
Floor Plan
“This Old House” experts have been renovating kitchens for years, and the first consideration with a kitchen floor plan is a design fixture called the “work triangle.” This refers to the placement of the refrigerator, sink and stove in relationship to one another. The goal is to keep them relatively close together. Twelve to 26 feet is the recommendation for the total distance when all three legs of the triangle are added together. Now consider what shape kitchen will best suit your home and architectural space. The traditional U-shape, L-shape and galley are the most conducive to the work triangle and provide the best access to all kitchen appliances and equipment.
Special Concerns
Martha Stewart’s kitchen renovation planning guide asks these questions: What will you be doing in your kitchen? What kind of cook are you, a quick-fix-on-the-go meal artist or an accomplished chef? Consider who will be using the kitchen, and if they have any special height considerations or a right- or left-handedness that will influence your placement of certain fixtures or conveniences. You may desire to have a refrigerator that pulls out as a cabinet drawer instead of the typical side-by-side or top-and-bottom combo. Perhaps you need space for two ovens instead of just one, or you and your significant other are both very tall and would like a raised countertop surface. In addition, you may have always dreamed of an island topped with marble or granite for baking. These are all considerations you need to list out before buying any appliances or choosing colors. Designer Patricia Gaylor for “This Old House” suggests that this stage should be done before budget considerations mark anything off the list. Gaylor suggests that you can always pare down superfluous items later, but the best kitchen comes from all of your ideas and details being molded together.
Style and Color
There are simply endless choices for kitchen themes and colors. Martha Stewart suggests wading through all of the choices to get to the style and feel you like the best. Start looking through home improvement magazines and websites. Make lists, copy photographs and compile all the information you can into a binder. After looking through your favorites, you will start to focus your tastes in a particular theme or style. Consider the farmhouse kitchen, with a wide-apron front sink and old-fashioned ice-box-style refrigerator. Or perhaps a Tuscan feel with mellow, golden colors and lots of textured stone. A contemporary kitchen can combine bits of different looks but depends on the sleek lines of stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and sleek hardware. At this stage in the planning, you may be well advised to consult with a designer if your budget allows.
Hiring a Contractor
When your plans are in place and you know what you really want, hiring a contractor is an important step to starting the process. Martha Stewart’s planning guide suggests that you talk to friends and family who have been through this process before and ask for names. Check that the contractor has a good reputation with local building agencies and is a member of the Better Business Bureau. Establish and sign up front on all the improvements scheduled to be made, timing for completion and expectations throughout the process. A contractor can also help you plan the essential renovation issues dealing with the electrical system, plumbing lines or the addition of windows or walls.