Step by Step Kitchen Renovation
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and a kitchen remodeling project is one of the most dramatic, as well as most expensive, projects that you can undertake in your home. Before you begin a kitchen remodeling job, it is important to plan the project from beginning to end. If you neglect this step, it is easy to experience price overruns as well as unexpected structural problems.
Establish a Budget and Design the Space
The most important part of the entire project is to establish a budget. Too often, people decide what they want first, and establish a budget around that. By establishing a budget first, you can choose what you must have, what you would like and what you would settle with in your new kitchen. Everyone’s priorities are different, as is their budget, and there is no right or wrong answer. For some, a natural stone counter top is a priority, while others want to extend the size of the room. Establishing a firm budget and discussing it honestly with your contractor keeps you both on the same page for the duration of the project.
Once you have established a budget, take out some paper and sketch your ideas. Depending on your budget, your contractor, an architect, or the salesman at the local lumber store can give you computer generated plans, but prior to that, sketch your ideas, moving things around, until you are generally happy with your plan.
Empty the Area
Once you have settled on a design, empty everything out of the kitchen. This is a good time to reorganize, getting rid of the small appliances and serving dishes that you never use, as well as cleaning out those drawers and cabinets that inevitably become catch-alls for things without a home.
Complete any Structural Changes
The actual construction starts with any significant structural changes. These may include anything from moving walls, to adding or moving windows or doors. Even if you plan on doing much of the remodeling work on your own, you may consider using a professional contractor for this portion of the job.
Make Necessary Plumbing and Electrical Changes
This is another part of the job that should be completed by a licensed professional. In fact, depending on where you live, you may be required by law to have a professional make any changes to the electrical or plumbing systems in your home. Some changes, such as adding can lights or running an instant hot water tap are relatively straightforward, while others, such as adding wiring for a dishwasher, or running a gas line for a stove, can affect the entire home if not done properly.
This is the time to order cabinets, flooring and your counter top as well as any new appliances you will be purchasing. This ensures that you will have all of your finishing materials ready for installation when the major remodeling work is completed.
Install Flooring and Cabinets
Once you are finished with the major changes, it is time to begin the more exciting finish work. Your new floor and cabinets are ready to be installed. Cabinet installation is best left to professionals, but a do-it-yourselfer can easily install many types of flooring, including hardwood, laminate and tile, on their own. This is a good way to save a little money on your remodel.
Complete Finish Plumbing Work and Paint
The final step in a kitchen renovation is the finish plumbing work and painting. The finish plumbing includes installing the dishwasher as well as the sink and any additional water lines, such as hooking up the refrigerator water line and a hot water tap. Painting is the last step in the kitchen remodeling project. It is much easier to select paint for your new kitchen after the new cabinets, counter top and flooring is in. The look of your kitchen can change so much, even during a minor remodel, that you may not be happy with your paint if you make the selection too early.
Moderation is Okay
While this article explains all of the details that are included in a complete kitchen remodel, it is possible to update your kitchen by completing a less extensive remodeling project. A fresh coat of paint, new appliances or even an updated counter top can increase the appeal of your kitchen and make it a more pleasant place to congregate.
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10 days worth of kitchen remodeling in 3 minutes 20 seconds.
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how do i get rid of construction debris from a kitchen remodeling project?I live in Brooklyn, New York.
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Tags: ca, Cabinets, First Time Home Buyer, home, Home Maintenance, kitchen, kitchen renovation, pasadena, remodeling, Tips for Home
Try:
http://www.kitchen-bath.com/kbb/index.jsp
http://www.searshomeimprovements.com/ProductOffer2.aspx?o=4&t=103
http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/kitchen/kitchen_1.htm
http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/kitchen/kitchen_1.htm
Try searching using: kitchen remodeling, kitchen remodeling ideas, kitchen remodeling pictures
Have fun, it a great project!!!!!
If you want ideas on kitchen cabinets, go to http://www.kraftmaid.com. If you click on Help and Information, then you can click on Order Literature at the left. Kitchen counters, try http://www.corian.com – you can get a free catalog in the mail if you fill out the form on the contact us page and uncheck the section that says send me info by e-mail. Otherwise, they'll just e-mail it to you. As far as decorating schemes, I find a lot of good information on http://www.HGTV.com. Good luck. I'm in the planning stages of a kitchen remodel myself.
Hello-
I am a kitchen & bath designer but in a different geological area. I would suggest that you do what is called a "comp" (comparesion) of the houses around you. If they have granite tops and stainless appliances, go for it!!! If not, you are going to price yourself out of the neighborhood. You will never get your money back (it is projected that from the "get-go" you are only getting 86% at the time of the sale anyway) But on the flip side, you will sell your house much faster if you do remodel it. I would suggest keeping the price resanable by keeping the fixtures in the same location (e.g.: sink), doing a semi-custom line of cabinets and maybe splurging on granite. After all, you are going to live there for another 5 years!
We are a well established full service from design to construction to installation kitchen and closet company, 15 years. Our contracts are 50% deposit (covers Material cost), 40% on first day of installation (when materials are all in the building) and 10% upon completion of job and customers sign off on all punch list and walk through.
The final moneys are basically our profit, so that are incentive to complete in a timely matter. Our contracts are non negotiable, except for our clients that are builders and designers that are repeat business. Usually customers get un easy about the deposit, but we do provide a packet, that includes how long we have been around, our BBB report and our licensing with years licensed shown.
That is our policy and is almost standard with some exceptions.
Most electrical contractors charge a minimum of $350-$600 per job. If the electrical breaker box is near the kitchen then the minimum charge may cover the whole job. If wires need to be run a long way to get to the kitchen, then the charge could be much more.
If the ceiling above is insulated, you cannot use non-IC rated cans. Other than that, most light fixtures are allowed. Hope this helps.
I agree, the pale yellow sounds nice. But if the color concerns you, try a pale yellow with a bit more earthy brown tones in it. When you look at your paint samples, you will see the pure yellows that are crisp in color and you will see the more muted yellows. Try out a couple of the more muted yellows.
Also, go ahead and collect samples of what you want to eventually do in your home, like the granite color. This will help to cordinate everything as you go.
Also the paint stores sell small quart and smaller samples of paint that you can test out colors to see if you like them. I love these. You can buy several colors, paint them side, by side and then make a final decision.
It took 3 months….. we did it ourselves and it cost 27,000$ Canadian….
Unexpected expenses: wiring that was no longer any good, having to buy more tiles, redoing the floor base to make it smooth for the new tiles (because pulling up the old ones ruined the floor underneath) and having to make a new countertop instead of just being able to relaminate the old one (the wood underneath the old laminate was rotting).
Yes… very happy with the outcome! We have just sold the house… paid it 133 500.00$ just over 5 years ago…. just sold it for 279 500.00$… I'd say that definitely covers the cost of the kitchen renovation!