Four Steps to a Successful Kitchen Remodel
Remodeling your kitchen can be overwhelming, and often, it’s hard to know where to begin. These four steps can put you on the right path to a successful remodel and a beautiful kitchen.
#1: Plan Your Finances
First, start thinking about how you would fund renovations. Do you have the cash to fund your kitchen remodel? Or, will you have to finance your project? Multiple financing options are available to eligible homeowners, including: cash-out refinancing, construction loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and even contractor financing. Call your bank to see if you qualify for any of these options.
#2: Assess Your Wants and Needs
Try to differentiate your wants from your needs. Consider keeping a journal to chronicle how you use your kitchen. Who typically cooks? Where do you do most of your prep work? How is the flow of traffic? Are you making up for a lack of storage? Do you desperately need more space, or does your kitchen just need to be reconfigured? Create a “wants” and “needs” list, and rank each item by importance. Identifying these early on will help you stay on budget and not get carried away.
#3: Get Inspired
It’s probably been a long time since you’ve remodeled or even decorated your home, so now could be the time to re-invent your style! Get inspiration from magazines, Houzz.com, and Pintrest. Create folders of products and styles you like. This will help you and your designer when it comes time to designing your kitchen and making selections.
#4: Interview Designers and Contractors
Once you’ve decided to renovate, the most important decision you’ll make is selecting your designer and contractor. Ask friends, family, and colleagues if they know any reputable firms in the area. More often than not, a referral is the golden ticket to your satisfaction. Secondly, start looking for jobsite signs. If you see several of the same signs throughout your neighborhood, the company probably has a good reputation. Lastly, kitchen renovations can be complicated, so make sure you hire a professional company with plenty of experience designing (and building) kitchens. Look at company portfolios, call past clients, and read online reviews.
Other Things to Consider:
If you plan on living in your home for the long-term, consider incorporating aging-in-place elements into your kitchen. A certified remodeler can discretely adapt your kitchen for the future, and, you’ll save time and money in the long run.
It’s wise to consider resale value with any renovation, but if you plan on living in your home for more than five years, it’s probably more important that the space fits the needs and wants of you and your family.