Updating your kitchen is very rewarding. After all, it’s a chance for homeowners to revamp their cooking space to truly make it their own so that they can feel at ease and get the most out of their cooking experience whenever they choose to use their kitchen. So, if you’re an avid home cook or a homeowner who’s looking to significantly improve their home’s aesthetics, then a kitchen remodeling project is the way to go.
However, some homeowners might think that a kitchen remodeling project simply involves adding new appliances or refreshing the design of the kitchen. While there is some truth to that, this is only a portion of the entire project. Keep in mind that a kitchen remodeling project requires a significant amount of planning and investment to pull off correctly so you can utilize its full potential. To help you, we’ve pulled together the ultimate kitchen remodeling checklist to serve as your guide to create your dream kitchen.
Personal Budget
Whether you’re planning for a roofing, exterior refacing or kitchen remodeling project, you need to have a budget prepared to tackle the project. After all, you cannot purchase materials and equipment, and pay your contractors for the service fees that they require if you do not have a budget. If it’s your first time doing a remodeling project of this scale, it could be difficult to come up with a number to prepare for it.
It’s advisable not to skimp on your budget because you’ll get your money’s worth whenever you’re investing on a project like this. The last thing you’d want is to have your future kitchen become underwhelming due to the lack of resources or features that have been cut out due to budget constraints.
If you’re having trouble coming up with a budget, we recommend asking a quote from multiple remodeling and home improvement companies so that you have an idea of how much your kitchen remodeling project will cost on average. However, if you’re targeting to sell your home in the future and are looking to get the most out of its resale value, we advise you to set your budget at around 10% to 20% of your home’s market value.
Project Timeline
All home improvement projects must have a timeline so that the contractors have an idea of the amount of time they have on their hands to complete the project. Also, this serves as a reference point for the homeowner so as to give them an idea of when the project can finish. It also indicates whether the job was done quickly or if it took way too long to complete with proper quality.
Normally, a typical kitchen remodeling project will take about six to eight weeks to complete if the contractors don’t encounter any issues, such as delayed materials or contractor troubles. If you also have other remodeling jobs running simultaneously, such as a living space remodel or an exterior painting project, make sure that they are all well-coordinated so that there won’t be any conflicts when it comes to the schedule and the logistics.
Buying and Ordering
Once your budget and timeline has been set, you’re ready to purchase the materials needed to create your dream kitchen. Before setting off to purchase them, you need to consider what you want to get out of your kitchen. You don’t want to head into your local remodeling store blindly and purchase the first thing that catches your eye. After all, every single dollar you spend on this project counts in the long run.
Understanding what you want out of your home improvement and remodeling project lets you get a clearer idea of the things you need to purchase for your kitchen. It also allows you to plan for the project a lot more efficiently since you have a solid image of your end result. To start off, you can get inspiration from the web or home improvement magazines.
Afterwards, you can choose the appliances that are going into your kitchen. You also want to measure how much space they require and if they are reliable and functional for your kitchen. For your cabinetry, browse for options that go well with your kitchen’s design. In fact, you can enlist the services of a professional kitchen designer to create the layout for the room. You can then begin to order windows, flooring and other fixtures to enhance your kitchen. Of course, don’t forget to sign off important paperwork and set up a chronological spreadsheet to track the progress of your project.
Job Preparation
As you’re preparing for the job, there are a few more things you have to do to ensure everything proceeds smoothly. To prepare the work area, you can set up a working kitchen to serve as a temporary area while your remodeling project is ongoing. Make sure that you get rid of old appliances and cabinets to make way for the new ones. Don’t forget to shut off the power and water before your contractors arrive, and clean out the area so that it will be easier for them to work on the project. Lastly, make a final check to see when the contractors and materials are arriving.
Installation and Decoration
During the installation and decoration process, look for these items:
- Are my base cabinets installed?
- Can my appliances fit with the cabinets?
- Are the cabinets, countertops and backsplash installed properly?
- Are the sinks and faucets installed properly? Do they leak?
- Are the doors and drawers functioning properly?
- Is the flooring properly installed?
- Are the windows fitted with proper treatments?
Once all of these are set, you can begin to decorate your kitchen by installing appliance panel covers and matching cabinet end panels to enhance the appearance. You can also add some brightness into your kitchen by adding light fixtures to the ceiling, walls and under cabinets. After it’s done, you can begin to have your kitchen cleaned and polished, and you’re ready to enjoy your new kitchen!
Planning to have a roofing or kitchen remodeling project in the future? Trust in AllPoint Construction! We are a family-owned business with a skilled crew dedicated to giving the best workmanship and customer service to their clients. Give us a call at (734) 407-7110, or fill out our contact form to get a FREE estimate. Talk to us today!
