4 Tips on How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel
When it comes to remodeling a kitchen, there are a lot of different things to think about. On top of managing your day to day responsibilities, you’ll need to consider your color palate, timing, and the right type of company for your needs. To help you make this process less stressful, we’ve consulted our team of design-build experts, who have compiled the following 4 tips on how to survive a kitchen remodel.
How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel
1. Timing is Essential
Oftentimes, homeowners turn to industry experts to help them answer the following question: what’s the best time to start a kitchen remodel? The answer is pretty simple: the right time is anytime, as long as you’re prepared. First and foremost, take a survey of your current priorities in life. Does a renovation seem feasible to add to your to do list at this point in time? Secondly, the time of year should play a factor in your decision. If spring tends to be your busiest season at work, or if summertime is when you take your family vacation, then fall might be a better time for your remodel to begin. On the other hand, you may be enjoy being away for some of the renovations. The point is, the right time depends on your unique situation.
2. Finding the Right Company
In addition to taking a thoughtful approach to timing, you should spend some time thinking about the type of company who you want to remodel your kitchen. Ask your friends and family for recommendations, as well as research the types of companies that remodel homes in your area. Be sure to keep in mind the breadth of your project, the type of services you want, and the amount of time you have to dedicate to your remodel when doing your research.
It’s important to trust your company, so we would encourage you to do your due diligence and research your options. You may be trusting your company to be in your house when you are not at home. Give yourself peace of mind by making sure that the company you choose does background checks on their employees. See what their current customers are saying by checking online reviews. You can also check to see whether they’ve won any awards for design or service. Something that we have found useful is to look for companies who generate helpful content, like a remodeling checklist. By promoting content that is helpful and relevant to a client’s needs, a company is highlighting the fact that thought leadership is important to them and to their brand.
3. Do you want to be the General Contractor?
A major point to consider before you undergo a remodel is your involvement with the project. There are a lot of moving parts involved in any remodel, so consider if being the general contractor is right for you. Being stuck in the middle of communications between the electrician and the cabinet installer, or having to sort out disagreements between an architect and a contractor may not be where you want to spend your time.
Having one point of contact will help you to eliminate headaches that may arise when trying to manage your remodel yourself. A design-build firm works with you throughout the entire project and is accountable for everything including the quality of the finished project, your budget and the timeline for completion.
4. Design and Plan First
This is one of the most important things that we encourage people to keep in mind. When all is said and done, the last thing you want to happen is to realize that you missed an important detail, like installing an outlet on your kitchen island. Nor do you want to be scratching your head when you don’t have enough room to install the high-end stove that you purchased after the remodel has begun.
Design-build firms will help you to work off of your own wishlist, and give you the flexibility to prioritize what you want while keeping your expectations and your budget in check. Additionally, an experienced company will bring new ideas and innovation to your remodeling project. They’ll be able to help you think through every step of your remodel, and ensure that your final result is just what you’ve always dreamed of.
When it comes to building the kitchen of your dreams, consider whether a design build firm is the right choice for you. If you’re looking for additional help, then be sure to download these 15 important questions to ask before you begin your remodel.
