The kitchen is the heart of the home; it’s where family meals are prepared, midnight snacks are enjoyed, guests are invited to share a drink, and close friends catch up.
It’s incredibly important to have a kitchen you love. If your kitchen no longer sparks joy for you, or if you avoid it as much as possible, it’s time to start a remodel.
If you are planning a kitchen remodel and aren’t sure how to get the ball rolling, continue reading to discover how to get started!
There are typically 10 steps to a kitchen remodel:
1) Demolition of existing kitchen
2) Plumbing and wiring
3) Inspection of plumbing and wiring
4) Framing of cabinets
5) Paint walls and ceiling
6) Install cabinets and countertops
7) Install plumbing fixtures
8) Install appliances
9) Install lighting
10) Install new flooring
The total cost depends on where you live, the size of your kitchen, the project's complexity, and the materials you plan to use. Prices of new kitchen units and worktops can range from $4,000 for a very basic renovation to over $60,000 for a large, high-end kitchen.
A kitchen remodel is worth it in almost all cases – essentially, if you can afford it, it’s worth doing. A new kitchen will:
· Increase the value of your home
· Make your kitchen a nicer place to be
· Make your kitchen more practical
Whether you’ve just moved into an older building and want to revamp your kitchen, or you’ve been living in the same place for a while, a new kitchen can transform your home. If you don’t currently have the funds to remodel your kitchen entirely, you can make some small changes that will make a huge difference.
Replacing your old hardware can give a modern feeling to a kitchen – you’d be surprised by how trends in kitchen cabinets can change over the years! The same goes for kettles, toasters and microwaves as styles change, and a cheap way to make a kitchen feel newer is by adding more modern appliances.
Updating your flooring, backsplash, and/or countertop can also help give your kitchen a fresh look without starting from scratch.
The most costly thing about remodeling a kitchen usually lies in the cabinets, which cost between 20-40% of the overall budget. They typically cost $100-400 per cabinet. Appliances come next, followed by the countertop.
The most common question people have during a kitchen remodel is, “when will it be finished?” Of course, this depends significantly on what you choose to change about your kitchen and the size of the team working on your kitchen remodel. Generally, it can take anywhere from 6 weeks for a minor renovation to 6 months for a large bespoke kitchen with structural changes.
When you’re planning to have your kitchen redone, the countertops are key. Materials used, color, style and size all play a huge part in the overall feel you’ll give your kitchen. Butcher block countertops are growing in popularity, but they’re not as straightforward as some other countertop materials. Here’s what you should know:
1. They’re an affordable choice: they give a beautiful finish and are much more affordable than other countertop materials. They typically cost $20-60 per square foot compared to $25-75 for marble.
2. They mark easily: a butcher block countertop is like a cutting board – it marks easily.
3. You can buff out blemishes: the above said, you can sand out any blemishes easily. Most other countertops are more hardwearing but also are far more costly to repair if you damage them.
4. They require maintenance: when you first get your butcherblock countertops installed, you’re going to need to give them an oil every other week or so. This isn’t much more taxing than giving your kitchen a thorough clean but is something to consider.
5. They’re sensitive to liquid: wood can warp, hold germs, get moldy, and stain if they’re exposed to a significant amount of water. Regular oiling/sealing will help prevent this.
6. They’re easy to clean: many household cleaners can erode quartz countertops or leave your countertop looking smeary, but you can simply clean your butcherblock with normal cleaning materials.
7. You’ve got a lot of choice: you’ve got a lot of choice when it comes to the finished effect, and your choice of wood will also alter the durability.
Here are seven things to consider (in this order!) when you’re having your kitchen remodeled.
1. Get professional design help. Getting measurements wrong for a kitchen remodel is nothing short of disastrous. Beyond the logistics of planning, they know lots of tips and tricks to get you what you want (plus more smart storage ideas!) on budget.
2. Plan ways to live without a kitchen for a while. During the remodeling period, you’ll need to be prepared to adapt somewhat. You won’t have access to your kitchen for two months or longer, so the chances are that you’ll find yourself filling up a kettle from the bathroom sink, boiling it in your living room and brewing coffee on the actual coffee table! The time when you’re having your kitchen remodeled may be challenging – you may have to wash your crockery in the bathtub, carry cutlery in your bag and eat out of Tupperware for a few weeks. But the discomfort is only temporary, so think of the glorious result when it’s all done!
3. Shop for your appliances and your sink first. Appliances have a marked effect on the overall layout of a kitchen. When planning your remodel, measure their width, depth and leave plenty of space for door openings. You’ll want to pay particular attention to the fridge, which may need up to three inches to open the interior drawers. Select your ideal sink early on in the process- locate an appliance store that will sell you your appliances early on and keep them on hold until your kitchen is ready. Appliances are the final element of a kitchen remodel, but it’s important to be organized as you don’t want to be left with everything but the appliances.
4. Test your new tile with a dry fit before installing. Lie out your tiles before sticking them in place to give you an idea of what they’ll look like when the kitchen is finished. If you notice any tiles with color variations or imperfections, you can tactfully place the less perfect tiles under the cabinets or scatter them around the floor, so you don’t have a concentrated area of the wrong color.
5. Make all of your design choices upfront and stick to them. Remodeling and renovation can be stressful, so you may be tempted to choose easier, cheaper and quicker options towards the end. But making a design call on the fly is never a good idea, especially if someone else is performing those tasks for you. By making your design choices at the beginning and sticking to your guns, you could save yourself an unexpectedly large bill and an uncomfortable conversation with your contractor.
6. Include natural materials. Wood, plants and leather really warm up a kitchen. If your kitchen is all white or features a lot of marble, you’ll want to add something a little more natural-looking. Make your kitchen cozier and more homely by adding a hanging plant over the sink or a chunky wooden knife rack on the wall. Throw in some potted herbs for extra points!
7. Plan the cleanup stage at the end of your remodel. You’ll need to do a deep-clean post remodel. Cleaning is not typically something a contractor will do, so you’ll need to think about how to get it food-ready. Write a checklist for everything you’ll need to do, or think about hiring a company to do it for you.
There are countless things to remember when having your kitchen remodeled, but the most important thing is preparation. If you’re prepared to live without a kitchen for a couple of months, it won’t be quite so hard to adapt temporarily. If you plan your design ideas ahead of the project, you can avoid extra and unexpected expenses, and you’ll maintain creative control. In short, think long-term and plan way ahead of time. After all, your kitchen is a place you’ll spend a lot of time over the years, and you want it to be perfect.
If you’re looking to have your kitchen renovated but aren’t sure how to design your new layout, let us help. We can help you get your dream kitchen in just four steps:
1. We’ll take a quick scan of your kitchen measurements.
2. We’ll generate hundreds of options and tailor them to suit your budget, needs and preferences.
3. You’ll then have our designers and design collections to help you.
4. Our vetted contractors then step in with architect-grade renovation planning!
At Skipp, we pride ourselves on providing easier, more cost-effective options for those who wish to reimagine their kitchen without all the hassle of third parties. We can save you time and money on your dream kitchen space, so why not visit us for your free Renovation Estimate today?
