6 Secrets To A Successful Kitichen Remodel

6 Secrets To A Successful Kitchen Remodeling Project

Have you been thinking about remodeling your kitchen?   Are you totally confused and don't know where or how to start?  Here are some guidelines to help you get the kitchen YOU want.

 1. Decide: Are you a do-it-yourselfer or will it be a total project for the kitchen specialist or somewhere in-between. Next to the bath the kitchen is the most complicated room to remodel and most difficult to do without. 

 In deciding who will do what consider the time vs. the money factor as well as the skill level required for the task assigned.  For example; if you've never worked with electricity or plumbing the kitchen is not the place to start learning so hire an electrician and/or a plumber.  However, if you have experience painting, hanging paper or laying a floor, etc. and if you have the time, then you could save some money by doing those tasks yourself.

2. Discuss and plan an APPROXIMATE budget for the project. An average kitchen today, ranges from $15,000 ­ $25,000 installed, not including appliances, with many going as high as $30,000 ­ $50,000. These figures depend on the size of the room, type and quality of cabinetry and counters and structural changes to be made.

3. Á good planner will analyze your cooking and shopping habits, your likes and dislikes about your existing kitchen and other family requirements.  It will speed things along if you have thought about these things before you meet with the designer.  Also, take the time to do some "magazine shopping” to gather ideas about styles, colors, and accessories.  This will help you and the designer have even more direction in your discussions.

 4. Explore with your planner all of the appliance option available. Don't find out too late that the range you bought can't accommodate your big canning pot or that you really would have liked an indoor Bar-B-Q.

 5. Select a competent kitchen planner to help design your kitchen. Ask for references and professional qualifications. There are two categories of designers to from which to choose. First, is the independent designer that is not connected with selling you products or installing the kitchen.  They charge a fee for their services, either hourly or flat rate depending on the scope of

the project.  Second, is the kitchen salesperson/designer, who, along with selling you products may also offer design services.  Be certain this person considers YOUR needs when designing YOUR kitchen.  In either case, your planner should work to give you a FUNCTIONAL as well as aesthetically pleasing kitchen.

 6. Depending on how you arrive at your kitchen plan, you should have had, or should get estimates from several reputable supply and installation sources. In the case of kitchens as with most other home services the least expensive or most expensive products or services may not be the best buy for you. Be selective and investigate your choices.

 

These are the very basic steps toward a successful kitchen remodeling project.  They can also be applied to anyone planning a kitchen for a new construction project.  In either case, remember, without careful planning you can end up with a beautiful but NOT functional kitchen. Always plan for a FUNCTIONAL kitchen that is also beautiful.