Remodeling a kitchen is an incredibly huge undertaking that involves a vast array of details to consider, decide on and oversee their implementation. If you’re not prepared it can seem a bit overwhelming but here are some of the things you can expect and prepare for during your kitchen remodel.
Obviously the first step is to decide on the budget for your kitchen remodel. A good rule of thumb is about 15% of your home’s current market value. For a more detailed breakdown of this you can check out my blog posting: Estimating Your Kitchen Remodeling Costs.
Keep in mind that there will ALWAYS be additional expenses so try to plan your budget on 80% of what you want your total budget to actually be. Your remodeling costs can be broken down into two main categories: the labor and installation that your contractor will charge and then the materials you select.
The materials you select will be your biggest remodeling costs and where you have the most choice and where you have the most probability of going over budget.
For this you can research information on the materials and their price ranges and this might also provide some ideas for planning your kitchen design and layout which is the next step in the process.
The planning of your kitchen design and layout is rarely a one step process so don’t expect to get it exactly the way you want it all in one shot. It’s a slowly evolving process which continually changes as you keep refining it. It’s a good idea to sit with an idea for a while to see how it feels and fits with your kitchen designs. Make sure the layout flows with how you work in the kitchen.
After you’ve fine tuned your kitchen design and have it all planned out the next stage is ordering all the materials. Making sure you cover all the details and order everything needed is very important.
If you miss something and have to reorder it can delay your remodel quite a bit…sometimes by weeks and the last thing you want to do is give your contractor an opportunity to get busy on someone else’s project during the delay and then put your project on the back burner although not all delays are controllable.
Another thing to be prepared for and expect are the unforeseen delays. In most any job there are unforeseen delays outside of the contractor’s control that can, and usually do, come up…things like out of stock materials on backorder, faulty existing construction that’s discovered that needs to be brought to code that couldn’t be seen or known about until after walls or floors are opened up after the remodeling project has already gotten underway or weather delays to name of the few of the things that could cause delays outside the contractor’s control.
The next stage involves demolition or deconstruction of the existing cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring and lighting, depending on the extent of your remodel and what you’ve decided to replace. It’s going to get really messy so just be prepared for that and just make peace with the fact that there’s going to be dust everywhere even after the demolition process is finished. You can count on the whole place being dusty and messy for most of the duration of the construction.
Actually during the entire remodel you shouldn’t expect neatness from your contractor. Believe it or not, it is sometimes a lot more efficient to leave things lying where they’ll next be used. It will be messy so just prepare accordingly.
Just make sure you spell out in your contract that the jobsite will be cleaned up at the end of the job.
You can cover up furniture that you want to protect from dust and will need to either plan on eating out during the remodel or setting up a temporary kitchen elsewhere.
Also not expecting any problems to come up is unrealistic. There will be some problems. Weather delays, employees quitting, and more will happen. Having problems is okay, but it’s not okay if the contractor can’t work out the issues to your satisfaction.
Make sure you have a good working relationship with your contractor.
Knowing what to expect and prepare for during your kitchen renovation can make the entire remodel experience less overwhelming and stressful and it can even be a fun and exciting experience.

Rebecca Noel is a licensed real estate agent and real estate investor. Remodeling houses and home improvement diy are her area of interest. Find out insider information that will save you $1000’s on materials and help you get your remodeling projects done weeks faster at Remodeling Recon.
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Does a lack of space in your kitchen have you feeling under-whelmed? Maybe it’s not the size that’s the real problem. To adapt an old phrase, it’s not the size of the kitchen in the space. It’s the size of the space in the kitchen. In other words, perhaps you’re just not maximizing the kitchen space you already have. You might be surprised by the apparent size transformation a kitchen remodel will give to the room.
“GateHouse News Service” recently covered this very concept in an article titled “Home Help: Big ideas for small kitchens.” Topping the list of kitchen remodeling recommendations for giving a small kitchen greater brawn was: “Maximize your cabinet space.” The article pointed out that you can achieve both a place to put you many things as well as “an open, uncluttered look” if “you combine sound organization principles with today’s innovative cabinetry.”
Some of the specific kitchen remodeling suggestions the article made included:
1.”A lazy Susan corner cabinet can help bring order out of chaos. Tucking [a wayward] cabinet into a corner of your kitchen into an underused area will squeeze out space where none existed before.” An online kitchen remodeling expert can help you design a kitchen that works for you and your family and that makes your life easier.
2.”Make the kitchen look bigger by choosing lighter colors and finishes.” By browsing an online kitchen remodeling showcase, you can compare and select the perfect paint color from the comfort of your own home. That way, you’re not overwhelmed when you step foot inside your nearest home remodeling super center.
Kitchen paint requires selections that are hard working and focus on stain and grease resistance as well as wash-ability. Practical choices include durable paints that feature low sheen, semi-gloss or gloss sheens.
Depending upon your individual color preferences, kitchens offer an ideal opportunity to let your color imagination soar. The kitchen represents a venue for an unlimited number of ways to incorporate unique color within the space!
3.Don’t automatically rule out large furnishings. Strategically selected, they can serve multi-functional purposes. For example, “A solid wood file drawer can make a big difference in organizing essentials for taking care of life’s business. When the drawers are closed, the top can double as a bookshelf or display space for framed photos or a lamp.”
4.When remodeling your kitchen, don’t forget to accommodate all that stuff in your junk drawer. “Every kitchen needs a landing spot for keys, cell phones, notes and mail.” Consider “hiding them in a secret compartment at the end of a cabinet run.”
When choosing the cabinetry for your new kitchen, consider your personal style as well as what will function best for your family’s everyday needs. Whether your goal is to transform your kitchen from traditional to modern or simply add more accessible storage space, your cabinetry selection is a great place to begin.
An online kitchen remodeling showcase can provide you with ideas and links to reputable kitchen cabinet manufacturers to accomplish all these small kitchen maximizing techniques.

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