How to Plan a Kitchen Remodel

You’ve been thinking about it for a long time. A kitchen remodel! You can’t wait to get rid of your old appliances, update your tired cabinets, and replace your scuffed up floor. Not to mention those terrible Formica countertops! But how do you plan a kitchen remodel? Where do you start and what steps should you follow to ensure a successful remodel as well as one that adheres to your budget?

Everyone begins differently. Some people choose their cabinets first. Others have their perfect appliances in mind and build everything else around that. Some simply have a color scheme they’ve chosen while others have a specific style they want to focus on, like French Country, Contemporary, or Mediterranean.

That’s all good. You should definitely have a vision for your kitchen remodel. Unfortunately, however, some people get stuck in that mode and have a hard time proceeding with their plans. Why might that be?

Well, often, when you look at a project such as a kitchen remodel as a whole rather than in steps, it seems extremely overwhelming. There are so many details to consider and decisions to make that many homeowners find themselves stuck in the “what if” phase and don’t go any further.

In addition, it’s tough to see the final results with any kind of remodel, including a kitchen remodel. When you buy a dress or a suit, you can try it on and see how it looks. But when you’re planning your kitchen, you really don’t see it until it’s finished. For many homeowners, that’s a cause for concern and a reason to avoid taking the next step.

However, if you talk to a kitchen designer sooner rather than later, you can probably relieve a lot of those fears that might be stopping you from installing the kitchen of your dreams. Also, by following some simple steps, you can approach the project with more confidence.

Prepare yourself and make a commitment

These days, you no longer need to head to a showroom or home improvement store to shop for kitchen remodel items. You can find everything you want to peruse online. The choices, however, can be overwhelming, so how to you prepare yourself for moving forward?

Simply think about the reasons you want to remodel. What’s your goal? What’s your motivation? Once you’ve answered your questions, share them with others in your household and then commit to moving forward. That’s half the battle, as they say!

Determine your wants and needs

Think about your family, your lifestyle, how you use your kitchen. Consider what you would change about the kitchen you have now.

Do you cook a lot or order out most of the time? Do you need more counter space? Cabinet space? Are there features missing that would make your life easier? How about the layout of your kitchen. Is it sensible or could it work better?

Be thorough and have a clear vision about your desires. Write down specifics and be ready to talk to your contractor about your perspective of the ideal kitchen for you and/or your family.

Come up with a timeline for the project

Know when you want to start your kitchen remodel and when you hope to have it finished. Don’t begin at a time of year when your house is busy or when the work is likely to run into the holidays or a major family event. Give yourself enough time in case materials are back ordered or something else happens that delays everything.

Often, you may find that a kitchen remodel doesn’t take as long as you might think, especially if you’ve chosen to have your cabinets refaced rather than replaced. That process is quick and you won’t be kept out of your kitchen for weeks on end.

Determine your budget and stick to it

Once you’ve done some dreaming as well as some planning, take a close look at your budget and decide how much you are able to spend.

Be realistic! If you have $10,000-15,000 in your budget, you may not be able to do everything you want to do. You’ll have to prioritize. You may decide just to reface your cabinets and maybe replace your countertops. If you’ve put aside a lot more for your kitchen remodel, you’ll be able to include other upgrades.

It’s important to stick to your budget. A much-anticipated remodel can become a nightmare if you don’t watch your spending.

Shop for a kitchen professional

While some homeowners try to do their kitchen remodel as a DIY project, it makes a lot of sense to call in the professionals. Kitchen remodels need to be done correctly. If they’re not, you’ll not only run into problems with design and function but you could be subtracting from the value of your house.

On the other hand, if you hire a professional like those at www.mrcabinetcare.com, you’ll get the job done right the first time and with a guarantee that’s designed to protect you, the buyer/homeowner.

Ready to go? For more information on our many products, contact us today!