Over the next couple of weeks, we are going to give you some tips and tricks for a successful home remodel. This week on the blog are tips for a successful kitchen remodel. The trends for kitchens have been changing a lot over recent years and they seem to be getting a little bit fancier and more high tech, but the experts have come up with some ways to make the process easier on you and your family.
Here are a couple of tips for a successful kitchen remodel:
- Plan out your kitchen design and find your inspiration.
Look through magazines and books, visit home design shows, or go to your local building store for inspiration on designing your dream kitchen.
- Develop a budget for your kitchen remodel.
Examine your personal finances to decide how much you can afford to spend on your kitchen remodel. When finalizing your budget, shoot a little below what you can actually afford so that just in case there are some surprises, you have some wiggle room. Kitchen renovations usually repay 80% of the money invested when you go to sell, so check your neighborhood to make sure you aren’t putting more into your home than you’ll get back.
- Design the layout that is right for your kitchen.
Now that you have your inspiration and your budget, it’s time to design your kitchen’s layout. Find a designer that can give you what you are looking for. The designer that you choose will work with you to help you narrow down cabinet styles to finishes and appliances and also fine-tuning your final layout. When it comes to choosing your kitchen countertops, head on over to GMS Werks materials visualizer to get an idea for the type of material that would look best in your kitchen.
- Get a contractor's estimate.
If you don’t already have a licensed contractor, your next step is to find one that you trust to see the project through to completion. Before you decide on a contractor, get at least three different estimates from different contractors. Do preliminary walkthroughs with contractors after you have a schematic design done for an accurate estimate.
- Get ready for Demo Day!
It’s the big day, it’s Demo Day. If you plan on living in your house during the construction, make sure that you have set up a temporary kitchen and have set aside a budget for times that you may have to eat out. Preparation and organization are your best friend during this remodel. Talk ahead of time with your contractor for how many times a week you’ll meet for updates and if you’ll need to be out of the house for certain aspects of the remodel.
- Review the final checklist as carefully as you can.
Once your construction is over with, it’s time to find all the things that were forgotten. That could be a missing light switch plate, paint touch-ups, or some caulking that needs to be replaced. Your contractor might have to make multiple visits back to your house to finish items, so prepare yourself. Things get overlooked and missed, but you’ll be thankful when it’s all said and done.
If you are in the market for a new kitchen remodel, contact us at GMS Werks and we would be more than happy to help you out with all of your kitchen countertop needs!
