A kitchen remodeling project can quickly become a nightmare if you aren’t prepared. From paint colors to light fixtures, the subway tile backsplash to the quartz countertops, a kitchen design and remodel project can be a huge undertaking. Here’s a list to help you prevent expensive mistakes so that you can stay on budget and ensure your dream kitchen project remains on track.
Prioritize Planning
There is a massive amount of detail that goes into a kitchen remodel and having a well thought out and well coordinated plan will save time, money and stress in the long run. Changing your mind in the middle of the project can not only be stressful, but costly, causing the entire project to come to a standstill or go significantly over budget. The extra time upfront will help to ensure you get your kitchen back as quickly as possible.
Hire a Remodeling Contractor
While DIY can be appealing to the budget, there is often a “hidden” cost to doing it yourself. Hiring an experienced remodeling contractor can eliminate costly mistakes. A qualified contractor will have the expertise to ensure that no part of your project is overlooked. They will also be able to tap their network of trusted trade partners to ensure you don’t have to deal with flakey subcontractors that might try to take advantage of you. A licensed contractor can also assist with pulling the permit and ensuring that all building codes are followed and that work is completed to the highest standards of craftsmanship. While hiring a contractor can add to the overall cost, not hiring one could be far more expensive…
Clear the Kitchen
Once you and your contractors have sorted out the details of the remodeling project, start clearing up the kitchen. If you want the crew to come in and start on the remodeling project immediately, get your kitchen ready.
Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
Fully passing the work space off to the contractor will allow them to work more efficiently, thus limiting the time you are without a kitchen, however, you may still be without your sink and oven for six to eight weeks. Mentally preparing for this and setting up a temporary kitchen will relieve some of the pressure off of preparing meals for your family. Ask your contractor to move your refrigerator somewhere out of the workspace but still convenient for daily access. Set up a folding table with a microwave or toaster oven, electric hot plate and your instapot and get familiar with your crock pot recipe book. No doubt it’s going to be inconvenient, but it will all be worth it when you cook that first meal in your beautiful new kitchen.
Increase Storage Space
Need more storage space? There are a lot of ways to accomplish this even if you don’t have room to make your kitchen larger. One of the easiest ways to add storage is to make your upper cabinets taller. If you have an island, add cabinets on the back side for items that you don’t use on a daily basis. You may also consider adding a lazy susan in the corner or roll out trays in your base cabinets. A pull out trash can will get that old plastic trash can off the floor and out of the corner and a pull out spice rack will keep all of your spices readily organized and at your fingertips. There are many more creative ways to increase storage and organize your cabinets, talk to a kitchen designer or remodeling contractor for more ideas.
Summary
Before starting your kitchen remodel, make a plan to ensure you’re prepared to take on the project. After you hire your remodeling Contractor, clear out your kitchen and set up a temporary one to ensure you’re still able to maintain a somewhat normal day-to-day life as your project goes on. Finally, as you make your plan for your beautiful new kitchen, plan on increasing your storage space
Looking for a contractor to complete your kitchen remodel project? Contact us at Koeppen Construction to get a quote!