Your kitchen renovation is a huge undertaking, so you need to do it right the first time. Investing in a kitchen renovation can become one of the most significant projects you invest in as a homeowner. It can be overwhelming when it comes to remodeling a kitchen if you have never done so before. Getting information, looking for ideas online, and seeing kitchen renovation samples at your local store or online may sound like fun, but before taking the next step, you should consider the bigger picture. Before you begin remodeling your kitchen, you should consider the following tips.
Kitchen renovation tips
Make a schedule and stick to it.
Remodeling a kitchen involves a lot of planning, so don’t demolish your old kitchen too early. You should prepare any major components, such as cabinets, appliances, plumbing fixtures, and so on before you begin. You will be able to confirm measurements and install them correctly if you have everything prepared beforehand. Make sure your electrician, tile setter, plumber, and other subcontractors are scheduled well in advance. Remodeling requires careful planning, and even then you may have to juggle schedules at the last minute. [READ: 5 Tips From Designing Experts On Kitchen Storage Cabinets]
Consider hiring a professional
Customized kitchens are an excellent option if you do not want your kitchen to look like everyone else’s. Choosing a professional designer for your kitchen is an important step toward realizing the vision in your head of your ideal kitchen.
There are a number of kitchen renovation and design companies available for your convenience. Just a quick Google search can easily help you locate them.
Do electrical work according to code
Although most homeowners are allowed to do their own electrical work, they are still subject to code requirements. Do-it-yourselfers are frequently found to have violated electrical codes in the kitchen, including:
- Providing fewer than two 20-amp circuits for appliances
- Lights powered by appliance circuits with 20 amps
- Failing to install GFCIs on countertop circuits
- Lack of outlets along the counter
Determine Your Budget
Establishing a budget before you begin your kitchen renovation will ensure that you don’t accidentally spend too much of your money. Decide how much extra room you have in your budget and how much you want to spend. Using this method, you can even reduce your renovation costs.
Get thoughtful about the layout.
Don’t assume you can simply remove any wall from the kitchen to open it up to other rooms. Walls may or may not be load-bearing. Make sure you know which one to use before you grab the sledgehammer or reciprocating saw. However, don’t assume that a structurally sound wall can’t be removed. A lot of homeowners assume that sinks, stoves, and fridges have to remain in their current location. That’s not true. The cost of moving the plumbing and venting can be high, but sometimes it’s the best option.
Don’t forget about ventilation.
Make sure you take ventilation into account when moving the cooktop. Although most building codes do not require range hoods to be ducted outside, most experts recommend them. The duct runs should be as straight and short as possible for maximum efficiency. Don’t forget where the vent will end on the outside of your house, too.
Examine the plumbing
Consider the possibility of moving any plumbing when planning your kitchen renovations. Although you may have an idea of where certain pieces should go, be sure to check the pipe placement to ensure the right pipes can go there.
Be smart about installing cabinets.
Assess the room’s current condition before placing an order for cabinets, and certainly before installing them. Is the flooring sloped? Are the walls leaning? Do the corners sit squarely? As long as any of these questions apply to you, you will need to keep a lot of shims on hand, and plan where you will start installing the cabinets. Make sure your countertops are level.
Pick flooring that is both attractive
With new flooring, make sure there are no trip hazards. With the switch from vinyl to tile, you may encounter elevation issues at the entrances to other rooms. In order to prevent cracks in tiles, an isolation membrane, or another layer of plywood is needed to stiffen the subfloor. Even if you don’t intend to change the existing floor, make sure you change the kitchen layout
There should be flooring under cabinets and appliances, otherwise, you will have a tough time patching the hole. Be careful not to install new flooring in front of the dishwasher; this will trap it.
Choose appliances carefully
Resellability should be the first consideration when choosing a new kitchen appliance. If you wish to sell your home in the future, its value may be negatively affected by, say, a brightly colored refrigerator or an unusual surface material.
Along with appliances, you should also consider buying all the kitchen accessories such as utensils, glassware, etc., that suit your appliances. You should also buy glass jars suitable for microwavable food.
Pay attention to the details.
If your window stool over the sink interferes with the faucet installation, remove it. Using a sink that is too far back in the counter, along with an overhanging stool, and a faucet that comes straight up could be problematic. Whenever you run wall tile between counters and upper cabinets, consider where the ends of the tile will terminate as well as how it will meet window trim.
Set up a temporary kitchen in the meantime.
If you have children, living without a functioning kitchen can be a challenge. Consider these tips:
- The refrigerator, microwave, and toaster oven can be moved to another room to create a temporary kitchen.
- Cook on an outdoor grill. If you live in a cold climate, do not remodel in the dead of winter.
- It is possible to wash dishes in the bathtub, but it is not enjoyable. Let’s just set aside our eco-friendly tendencies for this project and use paper plates and plastic utensils.
- Use bottled and jarred packaged goods to avoid unwanted mess while cooking.
Conclusion
It is quite possible to avoid a kitchen renovation going awry if you establish some ground rules ahead of time. With a little forethought, you could complete your kitchen remodeling ahead of schedule and within your budget. Don’t forget to leave a contingency budget just in case something unexpected happens with your project!
