9 Steps to a Successful Kitchen Remodel
If you’ve decided that a kitchen remodel is your next home improvement project, congratulations! It’s a fun process and will result in a beautiful kitchen that will bring you and your family joy for years to come. Let’s take a look at 9 steps to take to make sure the whole kitchen remodel goes smoothly!
What do you need (and want)?
If you’ve been dreaming about your kitchen remodel for some time, you might already have a good idea of what you need. Now is the time to really think it through.
Can you make your dream kitchen a reality with the space you already have? Or, will you need to move walls or add on? How does traffic and workflow through your kitchen now – do you need a new floorplan to achieve your ideal use of the space? Is there something you’ve always wanted, like custom cabinets or a large center island?
These are all important questions to ask yourself as you begin the planning process. First, identify your needs – what MUST you have to make this kitchen remodel a true success? Then, identify your wants – if it’s possible, what would you LOVE to see in your new kitchen?
Determine your kitchen remodel budget
Don’t cringe when you hear the ‘B’ word! Instead, embrace the budget and view it as a useful tool that will aid in your success. Figuring out your remodeling budget is actually something that will give you freedom and focus. When you know how much you have to spend, it’ll help you determine your scope of work and material choices, ultimately making some decisions easier. Check out our blog on how to stick to a remodeling budget for ways to make sure you don’t overspend.
Research professional remodeling companies
Tackling a full kitchen remodel is no small feat. It often involves more than just building skills. For example, plumbing and electrical items may need to be moved or installed depending on your new plans. Working with a remodeling company can take the worry out of the process and help make sure things get done right. Professional remodelers can usually do the job in a shorter amount of time than a DIY homeowner, plus save you money by eliminating costly mistakes. To find a good remodeling company in your area, ask friends and family for recommendations or check out professional review sites like Google, Houzz, or Guild Quality. We’ve also written this handy blog on 15 remodeling websites and resources to check your construction firm or contractor’s quality of work, reviews, certifications, license, insurance, and ethical standards. Due to the prevalence of license fraud in the construction industry, you will want to ask your construction professional for their business card or ID to verify the name matches that of the licensed and insured company shown on www.CSLB.CA.GOV. You can never be too safe when it comes to tearing into your largest investment, your home.
Work on your kitchen design
Next, it’s time to put all your ideas together to determine exactly what your kitchen will look like. This is where it’s especially helpful to have a professional design-build company on your side. Designers have years of experience with kitchen remodeling and can easily help you envision what your ideas will look like when they’re all put together. Sea Pointe Design & Remodel uses 3D color renderings as communication tools to help you see your new kitchen design in full living color. Your design will influence not only the cost, but also how you use your dream kitchen, so it’s important to get it right.
Pick out fixtures and finishes to match your style
This is the fun part! Now that you have an idea of the floor plan and overall kitchen design, it’s time to pick out all the little things that add up to give it character. What lighting fixtures do you want? How about paint, cabinet, and countertop colors? Is there a particular flooring option that would make this high traffic area easier to clean and maintain? One of the most fun items to select in the kitchen is your kitchen backsplash; this is something you can change out more often and get a complete feeling of a kitchen remodel with just the backsplash and pulls changed out.
Ask for estimates
With a detailed plan, it’s now time to make sure you can afford it. Ask your remodeling company for an estimate on how much it will cost to make your dream kitchen a reality. If it’s too much, then it’s time to tweak things a little to make the numbers work in your favor. If the price comes in too low for your budget, feel free to change things up. Keep in mind that general contractors and design build firm estimates will be different as design build firms include your as-built plans, new design plans, black and white elevations, kitchen cabinet diagrams, structural engineering if required, lead and asbestos testing, and 3D color renderings. You general contractor will give you an estimate without any of these additional services and you will need to source and cost these independently. The average general contractor has change orders which are after the estimate costs that increase your overall budget as you go. Design build eliminates change orders by designing the whole kitchen with products and materials, thereby giving you a holistic budget. General contractors tend to come in low to get the job and then use change orders to build the exact kitchen to their specifications. The national average indicates that general contractors employ change orders at the rate of 40% per job; this means if the original estimate to get the job was $100,000, then the average GC would change order the job landing the total budget at $140,000.
Finalize drawings and get permits (if required)
Many localities require a remodeling permit, especially for projects as large as a full kitchen remodel. Here’s another advantage of hiring a professional to help – they can provide drawings and get the needed permits while you sit back and relax. You want to be sure that the construction professional you hire is pulling the permits as the person, construction company, or design build firm that pulls the permit is legally responsible and liable for all scoped work. This is your insurance policy as a homeowner on making sure the job gets done correctly and is inspected by another professional construction worker, the city inspector.
Get started!
You’ve hired a remodeling company, come up with the perfect kitchen design, gotten the needed permits, and picked out your desired fixtures and finishes. It’s time to let the professionals get to work!
Evaluate and enjoy
When the project is complete, take the time to make sure everything is just as it should be. Then, if all is well … start cooking and using that beautiful kitchen. Dinner parties have never been so fun since a kitchen renovation in the OC. Your friends, family, and guests will give you all the accolades you can imagine
Are YOU ready for your dream kitchen? Give us a call at (949) 861-3400 to get started on your kitchen remodel today!
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