People seem to congregate in the kitchen whether you're cooking, hosting, or
just hanging out. Why not renovate this heavily trafficked room?
Adding
more space to one of your most used and cherished rooms in your house, the
kitchen, by remodeling, also offers a good return on investment.
Kitchen Remodel Tips
A kitchen remodel results in a new layout or design. This may be as easy as painting the walls and cabinets a new color to give them a fresh look, or it could be a total makeover with new flooring, appliances, cabinets, and more. A strong plan that adheres to a kitchen remodeling checklist will help you avoid unforeseen setbacks, expensive errors, and other obstacles that could cause your project to go over budget and schedule, regardless of whether you want to keep it simple or tear down a few walls.
When remodeling a kitchen, the first thing you should do is write down all the things that irritate you the most about it and devise a plan to fix them.
Do you need more storage? Find a way to add more cabinets. Tired of your kids (or grandkids) slamming the cabinets shut? Put soft-close hinges on your list of “must-haves.” Whatever it is, planning for it now will save you time, money, and energy down the road.
Kitchen Remodeling Checklist
After deciding to redesign your kitchen, here is our checklist for kitchen renovations, which includes several questions to ask yourself before you begin.
Set a list of priorities and expectations from a renovated kitchen
- What’s your big-picture goal: More space? Better design? New appliances?
- When do you want the project to be finished?
Set a budget for Kitchen Renovation Works
Do you want all new appliances and additional square footage, or just painted cabinets and a new fridge? Make those decisions now before you start remodeling. Don’t forget to budget for the little details that could add up to be a big expense, such as knobs on the new kitchen cabinets or dividers for new drawers.
- Choose a color palette or design style
Choose colors and materials that are cohesive with the design of the rest of the house.
- Source your materials, appliances, and permits
Check into your local government’s requirements for what permits you’ll need - a professional handyman can assist with this.
Look into alternative, eco-friendly building materials and energy-efficient appliances, which might come with rebates.
Determine the dimensions of any new appliance and whether it will fit before you purchase to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Plan logistics for Kitchen Renovation Project
- Check shipping periods to make sure you can get all the materials in time.
- Line up a contractor. Always plan for more time than you think it will take.
- Will the remodel require enough tear-out that you’ll need to seal off other rooms from dust or noise?
- Where will you cook your meals and eat during the remodel?
Anticipate obstacles in Kitchen Remodeling
- Can you reuse the old hood vent pipe?
- Does the new oven use the same energy source?
- Will you need to reroute gas lines?
- Can the existing wiring be used?
- Will the new oven or fridge fit through the doorways?
- Do you have space in the garage or home to store materials and appliances until they’re installed?
Create a timeline for Kitchen Remodeling
Make a list that follows a logical timeline. Don’t order or replace cabinets until you know the dimensions of your new appliances.
- Get creative when planning a modern kitchen
Think outside the box for a unique look: tile floor, glass pane cabinets, chalkboard paint walls, and more.
Costs to Consider When Remodeling a Kitchen
Kitchen Renovation Items
Use the kitchen renovation checklist below to help you set a budget for your project. You may even find some inspiration for your new kitchen.
- Cabinets $
- Cabinet hardware $
- Sink $
- Floor $
- Appliances $
- Faucet $
- Cabinet knobs $
- Backsplash $
- Drywall and cement board $
- Light fixtures $
- Paint and primer $
- Exhaust fan $
- Countertops $
- Inspection/permit costs $
- Fixtures/furniture/decorations $
- Total $__
Installation Kitchen Remodeling Materials
Some of the items above require different installation adhesives or materials. Speak to the employees at your local hardware store or call your local Mr. Handyman before purchasing some of the following materials.
- Tile adhesive $
- Drywall installation materials $
- Caulk $
- Ceiling texture $
- Window and door trim $
- Plumbing fittings $
- Total $__
Luxury Kitchen Additions & Costs
As you work through your kitchen renovation checklist, consider whether you want to upgrade some features and fixtures. There are so many special options you could add to make your kitchen more luxurious. Here are just a few ideas.
- Soft-close hinges $
- Smart appliances $
- More space $
- Dimmer switches $
- High-end building materials $
- Touch on/off faucet $
- Kitchen island $
- Walk-in pantry $
- Trash compactor $
- Custom cabinets $
- Total $
