As with everything else in life, the first time you attempt something, whether that be a project or an experience, is bound to be a learning curve. Of course, that can be half the fun, as you slowly learn what works for you, what you like, and what to avoid. However, when it comes to a major home renovation project, like a kitchen remodel, it’s never a bad idea to minimize the number of lessons you are forced to learn. With time, effort, and money on the line, some mistakes or setbacks can be costly, so having as much information and advice ahead of time as possible can only be seen as a benefit.
When it comes time to tackle your kitchen remodel, your most reliable guide will be your contractor. By booking a reputable contractor, such as those at ultimaterenovations.com, to help you with the planning and development stages, you can feel more confident moving forward, while knowing that communication is open and you’re on the same page.
But for those hoping to gain a bit of insight and a few tips regardings the dos and don’ts of kitchen remodelling, here are a few things to know to help you during your journey.
Set Aside Money
Unfortunately, a renovation project rarely sticks 100% to the budget. When it comes to a kitchen remodel, you’re likely to uncover a few setbacks, such as a warped foundation due to a previous leak or mould in the walls. If you’re not financially prepared for unexpected surprises, you may find yourself scrambling to come up with money that you don’t have. Alternatively, you may be forced to pull from other areas of your renovation, thus potentially affecting the finished look.
It’s recommended that you put approximately ten percent of your budget aside as a contingency plan. This allows you to move forward with confidence, knowing that you have money to fall back on.
Pick Your Appliances During The Planning Stage
Appliances are often deceiving; while they’re one of the last elements to be placed into your newly renovated kitchen, they can’t be left until the end of the project to purchase. This is because their size plays an important role in the design and layout of your kitchen. While you may use standard oven measurements while creating your blueprint, the oven you end up falling in love with may be much larger. This will force you or your contractor to go back and fix the cabinetry once they’re already installed in an attempt to fit the oven in, thus costing you additional time and money.
By having your fridge, microwave, dishwasher, oven, stove, and even sink picked out in advance, you can design a layout with dimensions that you can feel confident in.
Save Money On The Cabinets
The cost of cabinets can be surprisingly high, but there are several ways to try and lower the price tag. The first is to simply refresh your current cabinets. By sanding them down and adding a fresh coat of paint, you may be surprised by how new they feel. The second option is to turn to more cost-effective companies, such as IKEA. Plus, if you aren’t thrilled with the selection of cabinet doors there, many companies actually offer doors that are designed to fit into IKEA’s measurements. This allows you to save money on the bulk of the cabinets while perhaps spending a little more on the part you actually see.
Plan Ahead
While waiting is part of the renovation process, there are ways to minimize downtime. By booking everything and everyone you need ahead of time, from delivery dates to the electrician and plumber, you can keep the ball rolling, rather than simply reaching out when you reach a certain stage of your renovation. It can take weeks or even months for a professional Cincinnati plumbing contractor to get to you, depending on the time of year, so it’s important to plan around their arrival, rather than forcing them to conform to your schedule.