How to Plan a Kitchen Remodel in Four Easy Steps
Your kitchen is truly the heart of your home. And it needs to be a functional space, one that's designed specifically for your family's unique needs.
Maybe you’re considering a kitchen renovation, but you’re overwhelmed by the decisions and daunting logistics you’ve heard come with renovating the most active room in your home.
The truth is, a kitchen remodel doesn’t have to be painful.
With proper planning and preparation, you can have a great remodel experience. And you can have the kitchen of your dreams, too.
But before you hire a contractor, pick out paint colors, cabinets and fixtures, or start a solo DIY kitchen project, check out these four pro tips from the experts at Pool Brothers to learn what you should do first when embarking on a kitchen renovation.
Step #1: Establish what you dislike in your current kitchen, and decide what you want in your new one.
Do you need more space? More storage? Or, are you wanting to transform the aesthetics of your current space to give your kitchen a much-needed facelift?
When it comes to a kitchen remodel, you should always start with the end goal in mind. The very first step in planning your project should be to ask yourself (and your family) the following questions. Make sure you jot down the answers, too, that way you can refer to them later to keep you on track and focused on your ultimate goal during the planning process.
What do you dislike about your current kitchen?
Is your current kitchen layout functional? Why or why not?
What is the ultimate goal you’d like to accomplish with a renovation?
What are your must-haves for a new kitchen?
What do you want your new kitchen to look like?
Step #2: Establish your kitchen renovation budget.
Now that you have established what you want in a new kitchen, it’s time to decide on a dollar amount that you are willing to invest in the remodel. Though it may seem soon to be thinking about money, establishing a project budget early in the planning process will help you create realistic project expectations, and it can also help set the tone for the entire project scope.
For example, if you know what you’re willing to invest before you talk with a kitchen remodel expert, they will be able to offer sound advice on renovation ideas that are within your reach. They may also be able to provide recommendations on how your funds could be best allocated, so you can be sure to maximize your remodel budget.
Step #3: Find a professional kitchen designer.
Not to be confused with an interior designer, a professional kitchen designer is specially trained in how to design beautiful and functional kitchen layouts that work through plumbing and electrical configurations. Kitchen designers are also very knowledgeable on the materials that work best in kitchens, and they can help make recommendations on specific options that would work best in your home, based on your family’s unique lifestyle.
Step #4: Decide who will do the work for your kitchen renovation.
Maybe you’re a DIY enthusiast and have the skills and tools to pull off a kitchen remodel on your own. Or, perhaps you know a general contractor that you trust can handle your kitchen renovation. Before you break out the demolition sledgehammer or hire the GC to oversee the job, we recommend you consider the advantages of hiring a professional that specializes specifically in kitchen renovation.
You’re paying a kitchen expert for more than just labor. You’re also paying for their expertise, insight and years of experience.
A contractor that specializes in kitchens will know how to prevent common pitfalls associated with a kitchen remodel. They’ve seen it all and they know how to do it right the first time. That experience can save you time and money.
If you’re planning to change the layout of your space, you can rest assured a kitchen expert will anticipate and prepare for any unexpected issues that arise with structural changes, like rerouting of plumbing, electrical, or gas lines.
Renovating your kitchen, the most active room in your home, is no easy feat. But hiring a trustworthy professional with niche experience in kitchen renovation certainly has its advantages.
At Pool Brothers, we are committed to helping you create a thoughtfully designed kitchen space that is customized to meet the unique needs of your family.
Our team of kitchen designers and experienced contractors will guide you through every detail of the project to ensure you make the most of your space and maximize your remodel budget. We will help you choose from the finest materials and finishes available and we will remodel your kitchen with the highest quality craftsmanship and attention to detail that Pool Brothers is known for.
From the Design Phase to the Delight Phase, our goal is for every Pool Brothers client to have a pleasant and worry-free kitchen remodel experience.