Picture your dream kitchen. Whether you’re interested in major or minor changes, kitchen remodeling services can completely transform the look and feel of your kitchen, regardless of size or budget. But what about the actual remodeling itself? Let’s take an in-depth look at what to expect during your kitchen remodeling.
Ideas and Brainstorming
The very first stage is low-tech, simple and vital. You want to gather up as many kitchen design ideas as possible. Use magazines, Pinterest and other sources to compile photos. You’re looking for examples of light fixtures, countertops, flooring and more.
Don’t worry about budget or practicality at this initial idea-gathering phase. Instead, you just want to get an idea of what options are available.
Meeting with the Remodeler
Next, you’ll present your ideas to the remodeler. We’ll help you form an overall plan based on your budget and existing space. As the remodeling plan begins to take shape, costs become clearer.
Extensive planning leads to a smoother remodeling experience. Making changes to blueprints is quick and easy, while making physical changes is time-consuming and expensive. So the more you plan, the less surprises you’ll encounter. Plus, detailed design helps determine an accurate timetable for work completion.
Ordering Materials
Once the design is finalized, work can begin. Materials such as cabinets, countertops and tiles can now be ordered. Materials have different delivery times with more customized items typically taking longer to be shipped.
Your contractor will attempt to place orders throughout the remodeling process so materials arrive when needed, but not so early that you need to store a lot of material in your house.
Job Logistics
There’s no way around it: Remodeling will cause some disruption in your daily household routine. However, a great contractor will work to make any disruptions as minimal as possible. The key is communication.
You and your contractor will develop ground rules, which the contractor will then pass along to any subcontractors.
Work Hours
First, you’ll want to establish working hours. While work can be done on the weekends and evenings, most households prefer to keep those times quiet and limited to family. However, if time is an issue, extended work hours might be a good choice.
Unsupervised Working Conditions
Are you comfortable with the workers in your house when you’re not there? A trusted contractor will be able to ensure your property remains protected even when you’re away. You might find giving your kitchen remodeler a key to your house is the most convenient option.
You’ll probably want to set some barriers about where people can go inside your house, but some access will be necessary. Most likely you’ll want to designate a bathroom which workers can use throughout the day. You’ll probably also want to offer a small area where they can eat and take breaks.
Parking
Plan for times when multiple vehicles will be parked on your property. You might want to make sure your neighbors will be okay if any trucks are parked in front of their homes. Additionally, make sure there are no restrictions on parking in your neighborhood.
How to Create a Temporary Kitchen
Whether the remodeling is major or minor, you’re still going to need to make plans for food preparation. If your kitchen will be out of operation for just a few days, you might consider eating out. While that can be a bit pricey, you also don’t have to worry about storing food in your house.
But there are usually plenty of options if you still want to eat at home. Most people use a nearby table, such as a dining room table, as a place to prepare dry goods. Perishable can be moved to another refrigerator if possible such as a garage fridge or a mini-fridge.
Will the Water and Power be Shut Off?
Water and power might need to be shut off from time to time. But you’ll almost certainly never have to deal with a loss of water or power overnight. You’ll be notified well in advance of any shutoffs. Even though your kitchen might not have counters or cabinets for a while, your power and water won’t be off for any significant amount of time.
Storing Your Kitchen Utensils and Dishes
You’ll have to pack up your appliances, dishes, utensils and everything else in your kitchen. Generally, you’ll want to pack up as much as you can. Keep out only the dishes and cookware you’ll need for the basics.
Packing can certainly be a hassle. If you don’t mind the extra expense, you can hire a moving company to package your dishes. While storing boxes in your home is usually the most convenient, one space-saving solution is to rent a storage space.
Preparing Your House
There will almost certainly be more dust in your house than you’re expecting. That’s easily the number one surprise for most homeowners. The dust will find its way not just into rooms nearby the kitchen but probably throughout your home as well.
Plastic sheeting across entryways will help. In fact, plastic “doorways” in the kitchen will likely become a familiar sight during your kitchen remodel. Unfortunately, despite all precautions, you’ll also likely have to get used to vacuuming and dusting a bit more often during renovations.
Easy Communication
Even the best kitchen remodeling will run into unexpected problems. Adjustments will probably need to be made. These are called “change orders.”
Early on, develop a system for change orders. You’ll want a written agreement for all changes before they occur. Make sure all parts are detailed by dimensions and model number. Communication is the best way to prevent problems. So you’ll want to make sure you’re only a phone call or email away from your contractor.
Your Kitchen Remodel Doesn’t Have to be a Hassle
All kitchen remodels will cause some disruptions. But those disruptions can absolutely be minimized. At Honey-Doers, we’re able to remodel your kitchen without requiring you to remodel your life. Call us today at (952) 985-5383 or use our Fast Form to schedule a free consultation.
