These cabinets will usually need to be custom-made, but you can integrate a lot of pantry space with a built-in refrigerator, for example, to use your space most efficiently. Plus, using the full height of the room gives you a few extra square feet of storage while enhancing the clean lines of your new kitchen. Your general contractor will start your remodeling project with demolition. A rip and replace project means leaving only the drywall in place. All the cabinets, countertops, door and window trim, appliances, and flooring are discarded. It’s important to plan every square foot of a kitchen layout before starting a remodel. As complex spaces, kitchens require compliance with various codes, with supply and drain pipes competing with wires, ducts, and cabinets.
Another natural material is hardwoods, such as the traditional butcher block countertop. While still popular for some areas of the kitchen, wood’s vulnerability to water and chemicals makes it a higher-maintenance choice. It certainly has its place where you want to add some natural warmth into your kitchen in a way that stone can’t manage. Read more about Granite countertop here. The U-shaped section of this kitchen layout typically houses most of the cooking and preparation activities.
If these words describe your kitchen, then a remodel is probably on your wish list. The key is to understand the process before you get started, because your success is contingent upon taking the right steps in the right order. Kitchen remodels that may add value typically include new appliances, cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and fixtures.
It all comes down to their qualifications, service offerings and work excellence. Here are some tips for how to choose the best contractor for remodeling your kitchen. Lately, I’ve been doubling the cost of my materials to estimate my labor costs just to start. A project with more construction might have a higher labor to materials ratio. If you have preliminary cabinetry elevations where you can see the number of pulls or knobs you need on each wall, you can count up the total number of door and drawers to create an estimate. I like to put in $15 per item on the lower side and $35-45 per item on the upper side.
How do I start a kitchen remodel?
Whatever way you choose, the countertops will still have to be cut to fit perfectly, so that’s a custom or semi-custom product. However, a high-quality sink and faucet can be purchased off the shelf. As you can see, every kitchen is a mix of off-the-shelf and semi-custom to fully-custom components.
If you are not planning on hiring a contractor or are doing a smaller-scale DIY face lift, it is good to set a goal to work on a consistent schedule. Tack on at least an extra day or two for every task, and don’t beat yourself (or your contractor) up when mistakes or delays occur. Your cabinet’s color will influence how the space looks and how open the kitchen room feels. A good rule of thumb is to look for high-quality cabinet hardware and cabinets front that is different from the door itself. The kitchen is more functional than any other part of the home. Consider how you use your kitchen to determine the best layout for the home renovation.
How to Start a Kitchen Remodeling Project
If you aren’t skilled in this area, consider hiring a contractor to finish up the process. There you have it, our ten steps for a successful kitchen renovation. For smaller remodels, an experienced DIYer can likely handle most of the projects mentioned above, such as painting and installing a backsplash. But for larger projects like plumbing and electrical, consult a contractor to ensure safety and proper completion of the renovation. The last thing you want to do is affect the integrity of your kitchen’s structure and function. Update your countertops, cabinets, sink, and more through top-rated kitchen remodeling services from Angi. With predicted home value increases, you will eventually recover part of the money you spend on a home improvement.
Many GCs do some of the carpentry themselves on smaller projects, but some just act as managers, often juggling multiple projects at once. Of all the updates you can make to your home, a kitchen remodeling project will have one of the greatest impacts on how you live and function in your space. A well-designed kitchen will not only improve the overall vibe of your home but will also increase its resale value. Manage your goals, set expectations, expect delays and establish excellent communication with everyone involved with the remodel, primarily your contractor but don’t forget your family. There are also many great resources available to help guide you through the remodeling process on the CliqStudios Resource Center such as our Remodeling Timeline. This article gives you real-life estimates on when to start designing and choosing products, when you should order cabinets and how long installation should take. This is a bit of a contested step among many home renovation professionals.
But be realistic about the amount of time you have to commit to your project. If you’re juggling a full-time job and limited to improving your kitchen during evenings and weekends, choose kitchen projects with quicker timeframes, like painting or replacing appliances. When interviewing builders, it’s important to ask and understand what their role will be on the job site. At CRD, for instance, we use what’s called a lead carpenter system.
There are more options for countertops now than ever before. Popular materials are quartz, granite, quartzite, marble, butcher block, soapstone, and concrete. Sintered stone and porcelain slabs are now becoming popular as well. The best thing to do is establish your budget first and then work with your kitchen designer to figure out what you can accomplish within your budget. Online sites, such as Nextdoor or local Facebook neighborhood groups, can be great resources for getting contractor referrals and recommendations.
