You’ve
finally saved up and are ready to pull the trigger on your kitchen remodel. You
can’t wait to start picking out countertops and backsplash tile. Whoa! Slow
down. There are so many steps to kitchen remodeling
before you get to the finishes.
Here,
we dive deep into creating a budget for your kitchen remodel, and share secrets
all designers wish homeowners knew.
Kitchen Remodeling Secrets from the Designers Who Know
To get the kitchen of your dreams, you will
need to better understand the remodeling process. The considerations below will
help you better prepare for the experience and help to keep the surprise costs
to a minimum.
You
will need to pay about half up front:
Kitchen remodels
are not like traditional transactions. You don’t write one big check when the
kitchen is complete. Instead, your designer will likely ask for half the
payment up front to pay for materials. They will also likely ask for
installments along the way for labor completed.
Lighting
is really important:
If you create a beautiful
kitchen, but no one can see it—and you can barely cook in it—because the room
is too dark, your money spent will be a waste. Do not skimp on lighting!
Whether you choose store-bought lighting purely for function or custom lighting
solutions for both function and beauty, work with your designer to ensure each
area of the kitchen, including the sink, stove, coffee bar and island, are
well-lit.
Choosing
prefabricated vs. custom cabinets:
“Prefab” cabinets
are essentially off-the-shelf, which offers pros such as quick delivery and,
potentially, better pricing. On the other hand, custom cabinets are
made-to-order for your kitchen layout, as well as your choices for color,
finish and storage options. You can find high quality prefab cabinets and add
decorative trim to help them fit the space and look more high end, but by the
time you pay for that, you may be in the same price range as custom cabinets.
Work with your designer to best understand the right option for you and your
new kitchen.
Moving
walls adds up:
If you want to create an open concept,
you will likely be taking down walls during your kitchen remodel project. The
removal of a wall can range from a couple hundred dollars if it is not
load-bearing, to several thousand dollars if it is. Additionally, should you
need to add drywall, the cost of sheetrock and labor can add up—fast. Ask your
designer for his or her best recommendations when it comes to wall work. They
may be able to hide a post or keep enough of a wall to negate the need for a
beam, saving you a bundle without sacrificing design.
Understanding
layout is paramount:
Have you heard of the “kitchen
triangle”? It is the idea that most work in the kitchen is carried out between
the cook top, sink and refrigerator. Designers use the triangle to determine
the best kitchen layout for function and beauty. If adjusting your layout adds
a small cost to the overall budget, consider it a must-have to lower any future
frustrations.
Additional
tips and tricks:
While you may plan to live in your
home for a long time, especially following a kitchen remodel, there are a few
low-cost features you should consider adding that will dazzle homebuyers should
you ever decide to sell your home. Our favorites? Drawers for pans in place of
lower cabinets, custom drawer organization and a push-button garbage disposal.
Don’t wait to create your dream kitchen! Schedule a free estimate today.
