How to Start a Kitchen Remodeling Project?

If you are reading this article, chances are you want to get a little bit of knowledge on how to start a kitchen remodeling project in your home. In fact, you may already be in the process of starting one. You have got the paint in the back, a ladder in the garage, and a sledgehammer ready for action.

Unfortunately, while it may be tempting to just dive straight into reconstruction with a hammer and some paint in hand, it is important to slow it down and follow through with all the necessary steps to prevent any unwanted results.

To make the process easier for you, we have collected the lists of steps you should take before starting a kitchen remodeling project, to ensure the project's ultimate success!

Step 1: Calculate Project’s Budget

In DIY kitchen remodeling project planning, this part can often be overlooked. Setting a budget helps you avoid any excessive costs on unnecessary items and facilitates the shopping process.

However, it is always important to prepare for the unexpected. You may fall in love with a certain countertop material or perhaps decide to spend a little more on the appliances than initially expected. For this reason, always keep in mind a possible addition of 10% - 15% on your bill, and adjust your daily expenses leading up to the renovation accordingly.

Step 2: Gather Inspiration

Gathering ideas for your kitchen design and planning the final layout is key to any successful remodeling project. Sit down and ask yourself what it is you need and what it is you want. Do you need more storage room? Do you need more walkway space? Do you want to change the style or color of your floor? Do you want a more suitable looking countertop that matches the theme of your home?

Think of all the problems in the kitchen you find yourself facing or thinking about on a regular basis. Does it feel crowded even when there isn’t anyone to occupy the space? Do your appliances sometimes heat up or malfunction out of nowhere?

Take the time looking into different cabinet styles, layout designs and kitchen renovation ideas online. Use Pinterest, Tumblr, and home improvement sites to your advantage and/or consult a professional designer.

Rummage through some remodeling magazines and get an idea for how you would like your kitchen to look.

Determine the distance between your cabinets, the distance to the island, and any other logistics that will serve as a future outline for your kitchen remodeling. Having an understanding of your kitchen layout will give potential contractors a better and more detailed idea of the work required; in turn, facilitating the estimates for the project.

Step 3: Do the Necessary Research

Many Pittsburgh homeowners go into the kitchen remodeling project with little to no idea of what it is they want or who they should buy from. It is highly recommended that everyone does their research on at least three companies’ material and appliances. Do not just immediately opt for brand names. Take note of reviews, warranties, and prices. Jot them all down and compare.

Do not forget, being cheaper does not automatically make something better and vice-versa. Quality, cost-efficiency, and durability should be your main priorities. The price-tag attached should not heavily influence your decisions.

Always research, research, research! Only then will you discover the perfect match for you.

Step 4: Hire a Contractor

This step can be time-consuming but taking the effort to search and hire someone reputable, experienced, cooperative, and professional is 100% worth it. Look around and get quotes from kitchen remodeling companies. Make sure they are certified, have experience, and offer reasonable prices.

After deciding on a contractor, ask for a specific estimate that details everything from timeline to material used and all the labor it will cover. This way you can avoid any hidden costs and/or any unpleasant surprises.

Be aware that most contractors do ask for an initial deposit prior to commencing the work.

Step 5: Demolition

Perhaps, to many people’s disappointment, demolition is not just about stress smashing walls with a sledgehammer and violently obliterating everything in site with strong tools. It surprisingly requires a little more strategy than that. In fact, some people even opt to hire a professional to avoid creating any hazards.

If you are planning to get rid of various parts of your kitchen to create more room (hopefully under the supervision of a professional), start with removing the cabinet doors by unscrewing the screws keeping them hung on the wall.

Continue by gently removing any window trims and doorways and shutting off the power before removing any wired appliances/light fixtures.

Following all of this, take a hold of a crowbar to remove paneling sheets of walls, careful not to rip out any wires accidentally. Feel free to use any extra tools to facilitate the tasks above and recycle any disregarded items/materials.

Step 6: Install New Cabinets and Countertops

Think of any new or old cabinet installations as the outline of your kitchen. From there, it will be easier to deduce where the rest of the appliances and items should be placed in real life. To save on costs and avoid splurging unnecessarily, if you find that your cabinets are in good condition, avoid replacing them all together and simply invest in a quality paint job.

Countertops are what come next. They can really tie the kitchen together and bring your vision to life. If you previously had laminate or plastic varieties, it would most likely be in your best interest to switch to something else like granite or marble considering laminate is one of the least popular options on the market. If you are unsure, speak to a professional contractor and discuss your vision and budget with them. Being experts in this field, they can and will help guide you to the best option for your kitchen.

Step 7: Plumbing/Electrical Setup

Both the electrical and plumbing work must legally be performed by a licensed professional in order to avoid any fire hazards. For the electricity, the wires will travel through the walls behind the cabinets and connect to any outlets or switches.

The process of setting up plumbing is slightly more complicated, if not the most complicated step. After all, plumbing is what controls water output and keeps your faucets from flooding the area.

Now, just to put extra emphasis on this point, make sure that you get these jobs done by LICENSED, reputable, and trustworthy professionals.

Step 8: Flooring

You may be wondering why this is at the end. Well, new flooring can be especially sensitive and easily damaged considering the harsh tools used in all the previous steps. If one of the tiles end up cracking, it will be difficult to remove it without ruining the adjacent tiles next to it.

Moving on to materials. Now, it is usually recommended that customers opt for wood or tiles instead of laminate since the former are a lot more durable and appealing to the eye.

Of course, there exist other designs out there. At Technion Construction we work with a variety of affordable and chic options to meet the needs of our clients.

Useful tips to keep in mind:

• Stick with your home’s theme: While it may seem ridiculous to some that this needs mentioning, a lot of people end up forgetting that their kitchen is only a piece of their home. While it may end up looking like a beautiful retro fantasy on its own, when it is placed in a modern, marble laminated house, it will only end up looking out of place and perhaps even degrade the value of the home. Harmony is key to beauty in art, and this is no different when it comes down to architecture and construction.

• Stay on trend: Keeping up with the latest sustainable appliances and material can really do a lot for the environment, the style of your kitchen, and the thickness of your wallet. Thanks to new concepts popping up everyday, staying up to date with all the trends may save you a lot of money on functional appliances that are sold for less, yet do so much more.

• Avoid mismatching appliances: As appealing as that unique fridge may be, think of all your other appliances before purchasing it. It is always a good idea to stick to a single brand as to avoid any future hassles with warranties or fixing prices in the near future. Plus, the aesthetics of a unified/matching kitchen always manage to subtly draw the eye.

Step 9: Reap the End Rewards

Going through the entire process of remodeling your kitchen can certainly take a lot of time, an average of 1 to 1.5 months to be more numerically precise, but it is certainly not without benefit. All those efforts will pay off in the end!

After everything is completed soundly and you have brought to life your final vision, you will certainly reap the harvest of your hard work and patience.

With a new kitchen comes a plethora of advantages, some being rather obvious (a beautiful cooking area), and others coming as a pleasant bonus such as:

• Value Boost - A newly renovated kitchen can greatly boost the resale value of your home, even making up for 70% of the initial costs in the long run. Additionally, the upgraded style may attract potential buyers when put up for sale.

• Increased Safety - While this may not always be evident, some of your kitchen appliances may already be outdated and on the verge of breaking down. This can be a risk for hazard and injury. Replacing them with newer versions, you will definitely notice a difference in functionality and a decrease in related safety concerns.

• More Space - Depending on the layout, homeowners have the option to create more space by strategically placing furniture or substituting them with more compact versions. This additional space may alleviate any discomfort that comes with cooking in a crowded area and allow for more people to be in the kitchen at once.

• Improved Sustainability - Considering all the pollution in the world, it may be high time that we as a society begin changing our habit. With a home renovation, it is possible to create a more eco-friendly home by replacing old models with more energy-efficient electric dependent versions and utilizing sustainable materials such as bamboo or recycled materials.

Need Help?

At the end of the day, home renovations really do depend on the people you trust to handle the job. While doing it yourself may seem more appealing in terms of money, using the help of a professional can work magic on the finished project. Since there are so many complicated steps involved, finding a credible and professional company to start and oversee your kitchen remodeling project can and will help you avoid the possibility of any mishaps occurring along the way.

If you are looking for a unique home renovation customized to your preferences and budget, and live in Pittsburg or in the metro area, contact Technion Construction at 412-534-0004 or Email us at info@technionconstruction.com.