If you are planning a kitchen remodel or renovation, it is good to be aware of the trends and products available. In this first article, I will discuss the planning stages of the kitchen remodel project and what steps you need to take to get started. Knowing that remodels can be challenging, you can go into it with an awareness of how it will impact your lifestyle, but it does not have to be painfully stressful.
Understand what you want out of a Kitchen Renovation
If you are starting, the first step requires that you understand how you and your family use the kitchen. The next steps are to define your kitchen goals and your budget. Click on the worksheets to get started: Worksheet for how you use your Kitchen and Worksheet for Kitchen Goals.
Understand your Budget
You need to decide how much you want to allocate for your kitchen renovation. According to NARI, the “gold standard” in helping you determine your budget is the 5 to 15% rule. This rule holds that the entire remodel should cost no less than 5% of the current value of the home — and no more than 15%. Because spending less than 5% may result in a lesser home value, while a homeowner is unlikely to recoup an investment of more than 15% in a resale.
Have a basic understanding of how much each category could cost of the total budget allowance, note these percentages could vary by location and should be used only as guidelines for consideration (according to Home Advisor):
- Cabinets 30%
- Countertop Choices 10%
- Flooring Options 2-5%
- Appliances 14%
- Kitchen Plumbing – keep the pipes intact 4-5%
- Electrical 5%
- Depending on your location, labor will take up 20-35% of the budget.
- It is suggested to allow 20% for unexpected costs.
Understand your Style and Gather Ideas
Once you have a clear definition of expectations, you want to understand your options for the look and feel of your new kitchen. Click here for a list of kitchen styles with coordinating photo examples. Create a Pinterest board or Houzz Ideabook collecting photos with notes as to what you would like. All of these photos along with your goals and budget will help a contractor implement your project.
If you are planning a major remodel, you may consider hiring a kitchen designer on the job before meeting with contractors. To better understand what a designer can do for you, click here.
How to Find a Contractor
According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), word-of-mouth referrals continue to be the best way to ensure that you find a contractor you will be happy with working on your kitchen renovation. Always ask for references, and look at credentials, and be sure that they have the proper licenses and insurance required for your state or local area. Check their online reviews on Google and Facebook, keep in mind if there are complaints read how the contractor dealt with the issue. We all know that stuff happens, and when it does, we want someone we can trust to handle the problem to our satisfaction. Houzz also offers a find a pro service for your area, click here to start your search.
In the following weeks, I will be focusing on the different areas of the kitchen you may be replacing. Stayed tuned! For all your interior design, decorating, and staging needs give me a call 610-955-8202 or email for a consultation.
Debbie Correale, RedesignRight.com. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram @Redesignright, Pinterest, Houzz, and LinkedIn. Photo by khloe arledge on Unsplash.