Kitchen Remodeling: 3 Tips to Avoid Disaster and Own the Kitchen of Your Dreams
Kitchen remodeling can be a worst nightmare or a dream come true for a homeowner. Follow these three tips to ensure the nightmare is avoided and the sweet dreams are realized.
Kitchen Remodeling Tip #1 – Know the space: measure, measure, measure!
When looking to remodel their kitchen, a lot of people start with what they consider to be the most important aspects. These aspects are the ones that focus a great deal on design, such as paint color, appliance brand and all the great new pieces that will give their kitchen its whole new life. These decisions are extremely important, but the problem with starting there is that these great ideas may not be feasible for the actual space.
The best place to start in order to end up with a fabulous, new kitchen is to measure, measure and measure some more! Whether walls will be knocked down to create more space, or the decision to remodel an existing space has been made- it is crucial to know and write down exactly how much space will be available for everything from cabinets and appliances to countertops and anything else that will be added during the remodel. Knowing the dimensions in exact detail will allow not only a smooth kitchen remodel from start to finish, but will also help to exclude any avoidable mistakes. So, while it may seem like a great idea to install that huge island from the design magazine in the middle of the kitchen, when it actually arrives, some people may be surprised to find that they can no longer get to the sink without turning sideways. That will certainly make the dishes more difficult to do after a family dinner and could leave a person stuck footing the bill for a beautiful new island, appliance or other piece that isn’t usable.
They key to avoid wasting time and money during a kitchen remodel is to know the exact amount of space there is or will be available to work with. Knowing these measurements from the start will allow for a seamless transition from planning a kitchen remodel to realizing the dream.
Kitchen Remodeling Tip #2 – Make a budget…then stick to it
Out in the wide world of kitchen renovation options, there seems to be no end to the amount of money a person could spend. And while the ‘sky’s the limit’ budget approach can be used by some, many people have at least a rough estimate of what they are willing and able to spend on a kitchen remodel. The key words there were ‘rough estimate.’
That ‘rough estimate’ can be a very slippery slope. The chances of staying within budget increase dramatically by implementing two simple rules into the renovation plan. The first is to budget early. Budgeting early ensures that realistic research has been done on the price tag of everything from beginning to end. Not only will implementing the budget early help to ensure that the cost of the kitchen renovation is kept within a specific range, but budgeting early will also help give the peace of mind people are looking for when planning large home renovation projects; the peace of mind that comes with knowing and being comfortable with the cost that ensures a positive and stress-free remodeling experience.
The second point is to be organized. Specifically, being organized means conducting the initial research and then making lists. Creating organized and itemized lists, complete with pricing, can break down what can seem like a daunting project into more manageable parts. These lists can be broken down into categories. For example, some categories could be, initial planning, design, labor costs, appliances, cabinets and more. If people are clear on what they want to spend and then allocate that amount into these lists, they will be able to tick all the boxes on their wants and needs list for a brand new kitchen, without breaking the bank.
Kitchen Remodeling Tip #3 – Call in the professionals…the real ones
The number one way to avoid a kitchen remodeling disaster is to call in the professionals. And while this seems like a no-brainer and an obvious one, the key is to call in the right remodeling team. There are many options available to those looking for a contractor to come in and help them to realize their kitchen dreams. So many in fact, that it can be an extremely intimidating task. To wade through the sea of options, here are three key factors to remember when choosing the right contractor for a kitchen remodeling project.
The first is to find concrete evidence. Concrete evidence means looking at the contractor’s portfolio. Prospective clients should ensure for themselves not only that a portfolio of work exists, but that they like what they see. Is the work varied and appealing? Are the photos clear and readily accessible somewhere such as the contractor’s website or in their office? A good contractor will want to show off his work, because he is proud of it and confident in his abilities to deliver the product (in this case, a whole new kitchen) that the client is asking for.
The second factor to remember when choosing a contractor is to ask questions. Call or email contractor and request a meeting to discuss questions, apprehension or ideas. It’s even better when a contractor is willing to meet the client in their home to discuss the project. Not only is the client more comfortable in familiar surroundings, the contractor is able to get a first-hand view of what the project will entail from the start, ensuring better service throughout the project.
The final factor a client must consider when choosing a contractor is to use the ‘go with the instinct’ approach. This may sound easy, but it is surprising to find how many people have felt cornered into making decisions about their kitchen renovation, even when they don’t feel comfortable with those decisions. A way to avoid this scenario is to find a contractor that feels right. Find a contractor that will listen and address all questions and concerns. If a contractor is avoiding calls, or requests, it is probably best to find someone else. Try and talk to their past clients or check online reviews. Reputable contractors will almost always post feedback from clients on their websites. Kitchen Solvers not only posts reviews on their website, they are experts in the field of kitchen remodeling and are active in answering any concerns in the comment section below.
To avoid disaster and realize the kitchen remodeling dreams, be sure to contact the experts at Kitchen Solvers. Find your local Kitchen Solvers by entering your postal code above.
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