Beginner's Guide: So You Want To Remodel Your Kitchen

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Copyright © 2008 Aaron J. Munk


Renovating your kitchen can seem daunting, but if you break this big project down into smaller steps, you can ensure that the vision you have for your new space will be achieved.

1. Find your style. Stimulate your creativity by checking out how the professionals do it. Look through magazines and keep photos of style elements that you like in a binder. With the many do-it-yourself websites, the Internet is always a good source for inspiration.

While you are browsing, think about how you want to use your new space. How many people plan to use the kitchen? Do you entertain? Do you need room for children to do homework at a computer? Do you prefer a formal space or do you have a more casual style? Is your kitchen just for cooking or is it the gathering place for your family and friends?

Also think about the style of the rest of your home and how the new kitchen will fit in. All of these style elements you collect will be helpful to show your vision to the contractor and keep you both on track.

2. Set a budget. We all wish we could have everything we want. However, for most of us, we need to choose where to spend our money to get the most value. Granite countertops might be a "must have" for some, while someone else might want to put their money into specialized appliances.

You may need to think about how long you'll be living in this home. If you're going to be there five years or less, the remodel could be viewed as improvements on your investment.

Whatever your budget, make sure you include labor costs and a 10% contingency for those unexpected expenses. And, have a plan to keep track of all the costs - maybe a spreadsheet - so you can compare your actual costs to your budgeted amounts.

3. Find and hire a Contractor. The best way to find a qualified professional is through referrals from family and friends. You can get first hand information on how the contractor worked and if there were any problems.

There are two types of contractors you can hire - General contractors and Subcontractors. General contractors will oversee every aspect of your remodeling project and he or she will usually hire the subcontractors. Subcontractors for a kitchen remodel can include Tile Contractors, Plumbers, Electricians, Painters, Cabinet installers, to name a few.

If your budget is tight, you may have to oversee all the subcontractors yourself. Always compare quotes from at least three different prospects and always work with licensed professionals who have insurance.

Interview all candidates, check their references and ask to see some completed projects. It's important that you are comfortable with the person and you are both able to communicate with each other.

After you've narrowed it down, take a look at their documents. Everything should be in writing and look professional - including a bid price and a payment schedule, the scope of work and a site plan. Decide in advance how you will handle disputes and get that in writing as well. Along the way, there may be design changes initiated by you or the contractor. Make sure these are in writing as well and understood by both parties.

4. Obtain your Kitchen Design Plans. There are different ways to do this important step. If your renovation is complex, you may need to hire an architect. If not, most home stores have computer aided design programs, which allow you to see how the store's kitchens would look in your home. Or, you could buy one of the many home design programs and see your remodel on your own computer.

Some of the free online programs can even give you a list of your choices and vendors in your area who sell the products you want. This could save many trips to the store and countless headaches.

Knowing your cooking style and the appliances you want is something to consider. Also, selecting the flooring, countertops, sinks, and faucets that fit your lifestyle and budget. Last, but certainly not least, select the lighting for your kitchen, keeping in mind that no single light source can light the entire kitchen.

There are many decisions to be made and having your favorite style elements handy in your binder will keep you on track and make some of the decisions easier.

5. Be proactive. Inspect what's going on regularly. During the work, make sure that both you and the contractor follow the written plans. Be clear and honest with any issues you have and try to meet once a day to discuss progress and budget and schedule concerns. Having this meeting might save work stoppages and panic phone calls along the way.

Your partnership with your contractor will be the key to the success or failure of your project, so maintain a productive work environment by keeping the lines of communication open.

These steps can help make your renovations a little easier, but realize that unexpected things happen. Relax, take a deep breath, be flexible and soon you'll be enjoying your beautiful new kitchen.


About the Author:
Aaron J. Munk is the founder of SeeItYourWay, a home-design technology company at the crossroads of technology and design. SeeItYourWay is a premier kitchen design website, providing users with the ability to view multiple home décor selections in a photo-realistic setting, bringing out the unique designer in each and every one of us. To learn more, visit http://www.seeityourway.com or call 800-733-0155.